University/Community Service-Learning Grants for Course Development or Enhancement
Call for Proposals to Address Community-Based Goals through Interdisciplinary Service-Learning Courses
The 2009 request for proposals is now closed.
Information on this page is for reference only.
On this page:
Content Outline for Course Development Grants
Content Outline for Course Enhancement Grants
Deliverables for All Grants
Application Process and Links to Online Application Forms
Introduction
Note: Due to budget constraints, the grant amounts have been revised since this RFP was first posted.
Recipients must be Ohio State faculty or staff and the grants are for Ohio State academic service-learning courses.
Funding is available in amounts up to
- $3,000 for the development of service-learning courses that incorporate projects addressing community goals in areas such as health, community safety, youth, housing, or education. Projects will build student civic responsibility, enhance student learning through community engagement, and build the capacity of community partners.
- $350 for course enhancement to fund efforts that result in lasting change and improvement of an existing service-learning course.
Funded teams are required to
- allocate a portion of the funding for direct support of the community partner (for Course Development grants only )
- submit a proposal for the “S” designation indicating a service-learning course
- assign electronic pre- and post-course survey instruments developed by the Service-Learning Initiative (survey results will be provided to faculty)
- submit a report at the end of the quarter after the course is offered
Sample Forms
Applications must be completed online. The online application is a Survey Monkey form. You will not be able to save your work and return to the form later. Please review the PDF or Word copies of the form before beginning the online application process. The PDF shows what the screens in the online form look like, and you can use the Word document to enter the information for your application and then cut and paste it into the online form.
2009 Service-Learning Course Development Grants Proposal Form (PDF)
2009 Service-Learning Course Development Grants Proposal Form (Word format)
2009 Service-Learning Course Enhancement Grants Proposal Form (PDF)
2009 Service-Learning Course Enhancement Grants Proposal Form (Word format)
RFP in Word format
Contains the text below in a Word document for reference.
Content Outline for Course Development Grants
Course Description
- What are the title, objectives, and content of the proposed credit-bearing undergraduate, graduate, or professional service-learning course?
- What is/are the service activity(ies) to be performed by students? How does the service connect with the academic content of the course?
Community Focus and Reciprocity
- Identify and describe the community partner. The community partner must be a nonprofit organization. The Service-Learning Initiative office may be contacted to provide information on potential partners, needs, and projects.
- Describe the community partner’s participation in the development of the service project.
- How does the service reflect priorities and stated needs of community partners and collaborative planning by all partners?
- Describe the community benefit and impact of the service project.
Preparation for service
- How will students be trained for the service activity?
- How will students learn about the work of the community partner?
- How will students be prepared for service in terms of cultural sensitivity, expectations for time and effort, safety awareness?
Reflection
- Describe structured assignments/activities to facilitate connection of the service activity with academic concepts and to encourage critical thinking.
Diversity
- How is commitment to diversity demonstrated through participation by and with diverse populations and valuing multiple perspectives for understanding social issues and/or academic content?
Sustainability
- Describe plans for sustainability and departmental support for offering the service-learning course on a continuing basis.
Evaluation of Impact
- Describe plans for assessment of student learning and community impact.
- List impact measures—what are indicators of successful outcomes for student learning and for the community and how will indicators be measured?
Budget
- Funds may be used for
- Compensation of faculty for course development
- Purchase of equipment or supplies related to the service component
- Support for the community partner (required)
- Details and justification of the budget should be provided on the budget form and in a budget narrative. Budget narrative should contain the following:
- Indication of financial and other resource support for the community partner. At least $350 must be allocated for direct support of the community partner and the expenditure should be negotiated with the partnering community organization, school, or service agency.
- Applicants are encouraged to identify and list matching funds, as well as reference potential funding and resources for continuation and growth of the project.
Additional Requirements for Course Development Grants
Proposal for “S” Designation
See the Process page for instructions.
Letter from the community partner
Letter should outline the course title, the community role, the community goals or priorities addressed by the project, and the benefit derived from the project.
Signature Page
Print out, complete, and submit the Signature Page (Word doc).
Mail or fax signature page and partner letter to Service-Learning Initiative, 400 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Rd, Columbus OH 43210; fax: 614/688-3884.
Content Outline for Course Enhancement Grants
Course Description
- What are the title, objectives, and content of the credit-bearing undergraduate, graduate, or professional service-learning course?
- What is/are the service activity(ies) to be performed by students?
Budget
- How will funds be used to enhance the course?
Assessment of Impact
- What are the outcome goals?
- How will outcomes be measured?
Additional Requirements for Course Enhancement Grants
Request for course change for “S” Designation
See the Process page for instructions.
Signature Page
Print out, complete, and submit the Signature Page (Word doc). Mail or fax signature page to Service-Learning Initiative, 400 Stillman Hall, 1947 College Rd, Columbus OH 43210; fax: 614/688-3884.
Deliverables for All Grants
Final report due at the end of the quarter following the course offering:
- December 11, 2009 for courses offered Summer 2009
- March 26, 2010 for courses offered Autumn 2009
- June 18, 2010 for courses offered Winter 2010
- August 27, 2010 for courses offered Spring 2010
- December 10, 2010 for courses offered Summer 2010
Evidence for documentation of key elements of process and outcomes:
- Course syllabus and description of service project
- Number of students enrolled; number of hours devoted to service
- Description of service activity
- Description of reflection assignments/activities; highlights of student reflection; evidence of student learning through connection of service to course content
- Minutes of meetings with community partner, media or other coverage, brochures, posters or event information, and photographs (high-resolution print-quality desirable)
- Summary of evaluation of impact of service project on student learning and on the community
- Outcomes and achievements
- Manuscripts and/or presentations (published or submitted) related to the project
- Completed budget report
Resources
Please call 614/688-3041 or e-mail slearning@osu.edu if you have further questions or would like technical assistance regarding service-learning, civic engagement, or identifying community partners or projects requested by the community.
Elements of a Service-Learning Course
Checklist for Developing Service-Learning Courses
Tips for Successful Service-Learning Proposals
Application Process and Links to Online Application Forms
Proposals are accepted online only. Please call 614/688-3041 or e-mail slearning@osu.edu if you have further questions or would like technical assistance regarding service-learning and civic engagement, identifying community partners or projects requested by the community.
For information about other grants to support outreach and engagement work, see outreachgrants.osu.edu.
