Call for Proposals: Understanding Diversity
Funding range: $1,000 - $5,000
Submission deadline: January 31st, 2013
*Please save form onto your computer before filling it out.
Ryerson University promotes and supports inclusivity in the classroom. We have one of the most diverse student populations in the world and it is important to ensure that our curriculum addresses issues of diversity and inclusion. In order to help faculty and programs meet this goal, the Provost has established a multi-year fund (TDF) that will enable faculty members to develop new courses, infuse diversity and inclusion into existing courses, support conference attendance, conduct research into issues of building a diverse and inclusive curriculum, and support the development of workshops and training. The goal of this fund is to ensure that the curriculum offered in Ryerson classes and programs addresses diversity and inclusion and that Ryerson students are expected to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of diversity in society.
The theme of this call for proposals is "Understanding Diversity," and while we encourage proposals from a variety of areas in inclusive higher education, we particularly encourage proposals that will increase the ways in which curriculum in Ryerson programs addresses diversity and inclusion and the ways in which Ryerson students are encouraged to demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of our society and to be effective participants in our diverse and globalized world.
The funding range for this year’s TDF will be restricted to projects of $1,000-$5,000. The total funds available for this University competition are $35,000.
Recognizing that the theme of reaching all students can be broad and varied, we have identified various approaches that may fit well within the guidelines of this TDF call for proposals. However, we would like to stress that submissions are not restricted to these approaches and that these items are here to provide guidance to those who wish to submit proposals:
- Submissions that contribute to student literacy on issues of equity, diversity and inclusion, and skills to reflect critically on these issues
- Submissions that contribute to students’ understanding of non-western ideas, themes, contributions and ways of knowing
- Submissions that assist in creating curricular innovations that address diversity, such as, but not exclusively, the creation of courses or course material focused on issues of race, religion, gender, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation; and that contribute to knowledge of Aboriginal ways of knowing and Aboriginal issues/history in Canada
- Submissions that build on existing knowledge of the scholarship of teaching in the area of inclusivity and diversity and facilitate greater faculty knowledge of teaching diverse student populations
- Submissions that lead to transfer of knowledge (e.g. presentation to the wider community, publication, conference)
Eligibility
For this round, the Principal Investigator may be a full-time or part-time faculty member (RFA, CUPE) at Ryerson University, a department or school or an academic support unit reporting to the Provost. Limited-Term or part-time members who apply should supply the review committee with a letter from their director or chair that they will be employed at Ryerson during the granting period.
Evaluation Criteria
When evaluating the various submissions, the committee will use the following criteria:
- Proposals that expand students' awareness and understanding of diversity through the development of new course materials/content;
- Proposals that strengthen undergraduate teaching and learning in the area of diversity and inclusion. The proposal should include references to related literature and descriptions of methods to be used to measure its success;
- Proposals that demonstrate the potential for long-term impact on student learning especially those which may be adapted for use by other programs/courses;
- Proposals that demonstrate the prospect of sustainability beyond the grant; present a viable budget; and are complete at the time of submission, including the appropriate administrative approval;
- The proposed budget is reasonable and in line with the project objectives and;
- Proposals that are outcome-based so that success can be evaluated.
Reporting
Three elements of reporting are required:
- All TDF grant projects are monitored; a final report will be required from the grantee within one month following the end of the grant. The grantee should use this TDF Report Template [Word Document]. All sections of the template must be completed. Failure to submit a final report will preclude the grantee from future grant competitions administered through the LTO.
- TDF project grant holders are expected to present their outcomes at the faculty conference in May 2014.
- TDF project grant holders must create, with the assistance of the LTO, a resource (e.g. publication, webpage, best-practices tips) based on project outcomes that will be available to all Ryerson community members through the LTO webpage.
How to Apply
Download the application forms, fill them out, and send a completed set by email to Maureen Reed, Director of the LTO at mreed@ryerson.ca.
Contact
Dalia Hanna, Manager, Teaching and Learning
Email: dhanna@ryerson.ca
Phone: 416-979-5000, Ext. 6598