Applying for OLT GrantsPossibilities, Process and Practicalities

Renae ActonTLD Workshop, 7 Feb 2014

“The aim of the Grants programs is to provide funding for academics and professional staff to investigate, develop and implement innovations in learning and teaching. Grants facilitate scholarship and research into learning and teaching, and promote systemic change in the sector. They play an important role in providing esteem for learning and teaching scholarship.”

(OLT, 2013)

Possibilities

The OLT offer several types of grants. Current grant offerings with closing dates include: Extension Grants (up to $30,000, due to TLD 7

March 2014) Seed Projects (up to $50,000, due to TLD 19 May

2014) Innovation and Development grants (two funding

ranges – $50,000-$225,000 and those over $225,000, next round of full proposals and EOIs will be due to TLD in October 2014)

Possibilities

Extension GrantsAllowing up to $30,000 extension grants: are provided to disseminate or embed the outcomes

of completed learning and teaching projects or fellowships in institutions which were not partners in the original project.

Funds may be used to trial resources or curricula, run workshops, present at relevant conferences (including registration, travel, accommodation and incidental expenses) or to establish new websites

They have a much higher success rate than I & D Grants!

Possibilities

Seed projects At up to $50,000 seed projects can be: pilot projects which test and evaluate an

original idea including those that plan to build into full proposals

single-institution, small scale projects pilot projects projects to build the capacity of early career

academics, including projects which are led by early career academics.

Possibilities

Innovation and Development GrantsProjects funded in this category: promote and support strategic change in higher education

institutions for the enhancement of learning and teaching, and the benefit of the student experience

raise the profile and encourage recognition of the fundamental importance of teaching in higher education institutions and in the general community

develop effective mechanisms for the identification, development, dissemination and embedding of good individual and institutional practice in learning and teaching in Australian higher education

develop and support reciprocal national and international arrangements for the purpose of sharing and benchmarking learning and teaching processes

develop and enhance a deep understanding and knowledge of the learning process appropriate to the disciplines being taught

build leadership capacity in ways that promote and advance learning and teaching in Australia higher education

These grants are highly competitive - only 20% of applications are funded.

Possibilities

ProcessThinking about a grant 1. Read the application guidelines available from the

OLT website http://www.olt.gov.au/grants-and-projects/programs-and-applications

2. Check for previous grants that have been funded in your area (especially if considering an extension grant). Demonstrating knowledge of prior work and how your project might extend that knowledge is essential. In addition, the OLT will not fund a project that has already been done.

3. Discuss your ideas – with peers, your ADTL, the Awards and Grants Officer, the ICO (Institutional Contact Officer – Prof. Angela Hill) and even the OLT. As they are not involved in the selection process, they can offer strategic advice in the development of grant application.

Applying for a grantThe OLT has stringent guidelines regarding meeting criteria, letters of support and formatting requirements. In order to ensure JCU submits quality proposals, our internal process requires:

Applicants prepare the grant application Proposal is submitted to TLD by the internal due

date (see http://www.jcu.edu.au/learnandteach/projects/grants/JCU_125886.html)

Work with TLD to develop a letter of support from the DVC(A) and refine, edit and finalise proposal, ensuring compliance requirements are demonstrated.

TLD uploads the application to the grants portal

Process

OLT Priorities(http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/2014_ID_Grants_Instructions_v1-0_3.pdf)

Academic standards Assessment and promotion of student learning Curriculum design Improving tertiary pathways Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s higher

education access and outcomes responding to the recommendations of the Review of Higher Education Access and Outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (2012)

Innovative use of technology in learning and teaching Internationalisation Leadership for capacity building Research and development Strategic approaches to learning and teaching which enhance

student access and progression, and respond to student diversity

Process

Process

Developing the Project Plan: Key Questions How does the project enhance teaching and learning in

HE? What OLT priority area will be addressed? What approach will the projects take? How does the project demonstrate innovation? In what ways will the project engage with emerging

technologies? How does the project contribute to improving the

student experience? What dissemination activities will be included?

(webpage, ebook, seminars, workshops, colloquiums, conferences?)

Who can partner the project? Who could be an external evaluator and/or critical

friend?

Practicalities

Ensure you have tangible outputs that align with the aims and objectives of the project.

Ideas for research outputs may include: Webpages ebooks Best practice guides Literature Reviews A series of workshops The development of a community of practice A model for implementation or evaluation or quality

assurance Case studies for best practice

Practicalities

Resources: Government priorities for higher education, use speeches and policy

to demonstrate alignment and how project will further benefit operationalising government foci

(June, 2013) http://www.liberal.org.au/2030-vision-developing-northern-australia (Feb, 2013) http

://www.liberal.org.au/latest-news/2013/02/28/tony-abbotts-address-universities-australia-higher-education-conference

OLT Help sheet http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/OLT%20help%20sheet%20V1.1.pdf

Previous grant recipients http://www.jcu.edu.au/learnandteach/projects/grants/JCU_125872.html)

Previous examples are available on request

Any questions/comments?

You’re welcome to contact me: Renae Acton, x16369, renae.acton@jcu.edu.au I’m part-time (Mondays and Tuesdays most

weeks, but this fluctuates according to demand!)

Practicalities