The Faculty Development Committee invites eligible faculty to apply for the Teaching Innovation Grant (formerly called the Curriculum Development Stipend).  

Description of Program  

The goal of the Teaching Innovation Grant program is to encourage teaching excellence and innovation at Abilene Christian University. Through the program, the Faculty Development Committee seeks to identify and support teachers who have the potential to make a lasting impact on their students, colleagues, or disciplines as they design and adopt new courses or engaging pedagogical practices. Innovation may involve creating something brand new, introducing something new to the ACU community, or renewing something from the rich history of teaching excellence at ACU. The grant exists to: 

• • Promote the exchange of ideas about the art of teaching.
  • Renew or revitalize methods of teaching, evaluation, and assessment for increased student engagement and learning.
  • Support ongoing learning for faculty in order to maintain the highest standards of knowledge and practice in their chosen fields.
  • Create space for the thoughtful integration of new technologies into the learning process.
  • Expedite curriculum innovation and development.
  • Encourage the development of international educational interests and multicultural perspectives. 

The Faculty Development Committee solicits project proposals that demonstrate value to individuals and their colleagues and the teaching/learning process. These projects may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• • Designing new courses.
  • Redesigning courses by:
    • • Integrating Christian values into teaching practices or course curriculum.
      • Developing service-learning, experiential-learning, or community-engagement components in an existing course.
      • Incorporating multicultural or international perspectives in course materials or assignments.
      • Integrating technology, software, or media projects into the curriculum and assessing its effectiveness.
  • Researching and implementing new teaching methods, pedagogical innovations, or assessment strategies, particularly those that encourage student success, engagement, and retention. 
  • Updating or retooling in a field that has developed or changed significantly; integrating new areas of study into current areas of teaching.
  • Attending intensive regional or national workshops, whose focus is on academic or teaching topics, with an intent to implement the innovations in the curriculum. Applicants must be willing to participate in faculty enrichment forums the following year to disseminate the results of their work. 

All proposals should demonstrate an adherence to the mission statement and goals of Abilene Christian University.

Grant Amounts  

Four Teaching Innovation Grants may be awarded each summer. The amount of each grant will be $5,000.  During the school year following the grant, recipients will make a presentation to the faculty based on their work.

Qualifications  

• • All full-time faculty are eligible to apply. Preference will be given to applicants who have not received a Teaching Innovation Grant or Curriculum Development Stipend in the last three years.
  • Work applicable to a terminal degree is not eligible.
  • Applicants cannot hold a Teaching Innovation Grant and a Cullen Research Grant or Math-Science Grant during the same summer.
  • Recipients cannot teach more than one three-hour course during the summer of their grant award.
  • Active members of the Faculty Development Committee who choose to apply will recuse themselves from considering Teaching Innovation Grant applications during that cycle.

Deadlines  

Due by 5 p.m. on the last Monday of January. The FDC reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the provost.