Mini-Grants

Apply for a Mini-Grant

The purpose of the Mini-Grant program is to provide quick access to funds for spontaneous needs generated by a desire to improve the teaching/learning environment. These grants are available to full-time faculty and permanent learning center staff. The funds are provided as an alternative to other funding options that require a longer procurement period. The spirit behind this program is to provide a venue for faculty members and learning center staff who suddenly find an opportunity to provide enhanced circumstances to augment the learning process.

• The Center for Instructional Technology provides the resources and staff support for tasks such as image scanning, digitization of sound and video files, digital photography, presentation development, and limited video production. CIT consultation and approval is required (if needed) before a Mini-Grant can be considered.
• The Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership provides non-technology resources and support to facilitate improvement in teaching, learning, and assessment of instruction. This is accomplished in part through workshops, seminars, books, journals, online resources, and individualized assistance. CTLL consultation and approval is required (if needed) before a Mini-Grant can be considered.

Proposal Process

Mini-Grants are considered on a first come first serve basis. There are no deadlines for application. The following guidelines and procedures must be followed:

1. A complete Mini-Grant application must be submitted to the CTLL.
2. If other resources are needed (such as: CIT (Center for Instructional Technology), Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership`, the Library, etc.), the cost of the resources must be documented and indicated on the Mini-Grant application.
3. If the use of other resources is needed, each person responsible for the resource must sign off on the Mini-Grant application.
4. Mini-Grants are generally limited to $1500 or less, however, other cases will be considered on an individual basis.
5. Each faculty member or learning center staff member may apply for multiple Mini-Grants, however, no Mini-Grant will be approved for a duplicate or repetitive request. The purpose of the grants is for one-time needs that cannot be funded through alternative sources.

Mini-Grant examples:

1. Purchase of new software that will enhance a course or can be used by students to enable better course success.
2. Hiring a guest speaker to help explain concepts or to simply boost the interest in the class material.
3. Having small video clips or technology presentations created to supplement course resources (CIT consultation needed).
4. Fees to allow students to participate in a workshop, teleconference or other venue where additional funding is required.
5. Purchase of student memberships/rights to a professional organization to increase exposure to current trends.

NOTE:  The Mini-Grant process is a new Center endeavor and the process will be updated and refined as needed to help assure clarity of purpose and fairness in distribution.

Items not covered by Mini-Grants:

1. Supplies and costs that can be funded via the Division/Program budget.
2. OCO items (OCO is capital outlay, or usually referred to as capital equipment that costs over $1000. Generally, these items have TCC inventory tags on them.)
3. Requests that do not impact or enhance the teaching and learning process.
4. Duplicate requests - requests covered by other funding sources (such as the Foundation Grant process).
5. Recurring/continuation requests.

Mini-Grant Approval Process

1. A subset of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership Board will review and approve Mini-Grant applications on an as-needed basis. Other approval committee members will consist of the Center's Board Chairperson and will rotate two additional Board members for each application reviewed.
2. The review committee will contact an applicant if there are questions concerning the Mini-Grant request.
3. The review committee will contact the applicant within two weeks to convey the outcome of the grant request.
4. Approved Mini-Grants will be featured via the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership website and/or newsletter to help spawn subsequent requests and to share innovations.

NOTE:  Include all  documents (purchase orders, travel requests, speakers fees, etc.) needed for your Mini-Grant request to help expedite the funding process. Be sure your documents are as complete as possible. All funding will follow normal TCC policies.