Crosby Grant for Learning Excellence and Innovation
The Crosby Grant for Learning Excellence and Innovation is an inquiry-driven and project-based opportunity for faculty to strengthen their teaching capacities, as well as expand others’ through collaboration, publication, and presentation. The goal of the Crosby Grant is to foster innovative approaches to teaching and learning in post-secondary technical classrooms that sustain beyond the context of the initial classroom and inspire future projects.
Past Crosby Grant projects include:
- Collaborative Learning in Post-Secondary Technical Education
- Instructional Strategies in the Virtual Classroom
- Composite Materials in Fabrication and Construction: New Learning Opportunities
- Curriculum-Integrated Research at Dunwoody
What kinds of projects does this grant fund?
The Crosby Grant funds three types of projects:
- Seed projects, which address a relatively local setting, are completed in 1 year or less, and involve 1-2 faculty.
- Sustaining Impact projects, which address a broader context, are longer term, and could involve a team of faculty.
- Emerging Innovators Cohort projects, which materialize from a cohort of faculty who have been teaching for less than 3 years at Dunwoody.
The number of projects funded each year is dependent on the amount of grant money needed for each selected project. The total sum of the grant includes a stipend awarded to the selected faculty member(s) upon the successful completion of the grant and presentation of the project.
Who is eligible to apply for a Crosby Grant?
All current faculty at Dunwoody College of Technology who have a recommendation or approval from their dean(s)/director(s) are eligible to apply for a Crosby Grant. Applicants for funding for a Seed project or a Sustaining Impact project must have at least three years of teaching experience at Dunwoody and have completed New Faculty Orientation. Applicants for funding for an Emerging Innovators Cohort project must have completed their initial onboarding and have a recommendation or approval from the Center for Innovation in Technical Education (CITE).
Exceptions to any criteria may be made upon the recommendation from dean(s)/director(s), CITE, the Dean of Instruction, and/or the Dean's Council. Faculty seeking portfolio development for promotion application purposes are especially encouraged to propose a project, and part-time or adjunct faculty are especially encouraged to collaborate with full-time to propose a project.
What is the timeline for project proposals?
The call for proposals is open from September to February each academic year, with notice to applicants given by May; early proposals are accepted through November, with notice given by December. CITE facilitates an information session at the Fall Conference, and a working session for applicants during the J-term Expo.
How does my project get selected?
Eligible applicants have the flexibility to choose a delivery method for their proposal that suits the project’s focus, and/or the applicant’s (or applicants’) situation. Project proposals are reviewed for purpose, innovative quality, implementation plan, and impact on teaching and learning.
Proposals are first reviewed by members of the Instruction Collaborative, who then send their recommendations for final review to the Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee includes a representative from the Center for Innovation in Technical Education (CITE), a representative from the Dean's Council, and the Dean of Instruction. The Evaluation Committee reviews proposals from an institutional perspective and provides support and feedback to facilitate the project’s success.
What happens if my project gets selected?
Upon notice, recipients will meet with CITE to coordinate funding, scheduling, support, and/or any follow-up requests made by the Evaluation Committee or for full approval. Recipients share progress updates at the December and/or May faculty development celebrations, or during another agreed-upon faculty development event. Upon completion of their project, recipients facilitate a breakout session at the next Fall Conference (or another agreed-upon faculty development event) to provide a summary of the project and share results, insights, and next steps.
Where can I go for more details?
Interested faculty can find more detailed information about this grant on the Faculty Development SharePoint site and email facultydevelopment@dunwoody.edu for further details and with questions.