USF Collaborative Announces its 2008-2009 Faculty Grant Program [02/05/2008]

by Denise O'Brien

The USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities is soliciting proposals for its annual Faculty Grants for Engaged Scholarship program for 2008-2009. Approximately five to ten grants will receive from $5,000 to $15,000 each for projects lasting up to 12 months. The Collaborative’s grant program is co-sponsored by The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

What is Engaged Scholarship?

Engaged Scholarship is defined as a collaborative form of inquiry where researchers and practitioners leverage their different perspectives and competencies in producing knowledge about a complex problem in reality. To be considered for a grant, all projects must involve collaboration between a USF faculty member and one or more community groups. Research projects, education and training or service (demonstration) projects are eligible. Grants can be conducted in any community in the Tampa Bay area but the bulk of the funds will be available for projects in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The Collaborative also requires that projects have a potential for impact beyond the preliminary funding.

Guidelines for Grant Seekers

The 2008-2009 Guidelines are available for download at http://www.usfcollab.usf.edu/. The category areas include (a) Community-Based or Applied Research Partnerships and (b) Community-Based Teaching or Service-Learning Classes.

Pre-proposal and Informational meetings will be held on:

Friday, February 29, 2008 from 10 - 11:30 am at the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, Westside Center E

Wednesday, March 5, 2008 from 3 - 4:30 pm at the Children’s Board 1002 E. Palm Ave, Room A Tampa

Other Important dates to remember are:

Monday, April 7, 2008 5:00 pm - Deadline for Application Submission to the USF Collaborative for Children, Families and Communities, MHC Room 1129.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 Award recipients notification.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008 Funds available for a period up to twelve months.

For additional information please call the Collaborative at (813) 974-7318 or e-mail Judi Jetson at jetson@usfcollab.usf.edu.