Call for Applications

Deadline: February 1, 2006

Applications are now being accepted for ASA Teaching Enhancement Fund Small Grants Program. These grants are intended to support projects that extend the quality of teaching in the United States and Canada.

A Teaching Enhancement Fund Grant may be given to an individual, a department, a program, or a committee of a state/regional association. Individuals applying for the award must be members of ASA. Two to three grants will be awarded in 2005, for up to $1000 based on the recommendation of a review panel. The principal criteria for the award are that the project is likely to:

1. Enhance the teaching of sociology in North America

2. Serve as a seed-project that will continue to have an impact in months and years to come

3. Be systemic in its impact.

The criteria are intentionally flexible in order to accommodate innovative proposals. A partial list of the kinds of activities that would be considered includes:

• Developing creative instructional materials (e.g. learning simulations or teaching software).
• Organizing and implementing faculty development programs or workshops to improve sociological instruction. Such in-service training programs might be designed for college, secondary, or elementary teachers.
• Producing new materials or products for teaching sociology in elementary and/or secondary schools.
• Establishing networks and resources which will support teachers of sociology.
• Researching and assessing the effectiveness of instructional methodologies or curricula.

Proposals limited to a maximum of five pages should a) describe the project and the intended audience or beneficiaries, b) explain how the financial support would be used, c) describe the expected benefits of the project including systemic impacts, and d) indicate how the project might have lasting benefit.

While ASA membership is not a criterion for applying or being selected for this grant, if and when a grant award is made, the recipient must be a current ASA member. ASA membership involves acceptance of and adherence to the ASA Code of Ethics, which is critical to the implementation of the grant project. Grantees must also provide documentation of pertinent IRB approval for the funded project.

Deadline for postmark of applications is February 1, 2006. Applications should be sent to American Sociological Association, Academic and Professional Affairs Program, 1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 700, Washington, DC 20005. Notification of awards will be sent out by April 1.

If you wish to contribute to the Teaching Enhancement Fund, including as a memorial gift, please send contributions made out to TEF to the ASA address listed above. All gifts will be acknowledged and are gratefully appreciated.

Teaching Enhancement Fund Application Form

TEF Winners