Grants are given to reimburse faculty, as per program guidelines, for costs to present papers, chair panels, and/or serve as organizers/moderators or attend conferences and professional gatherings. Funding up to $1,000 for domestic and $1,500 for international travel may be awarded, pending budget for a first request.

Application Requirements and Information

1) A 250-word statement explaining the importance of the activity.

2) Conference web URL or print out of the event, listing dates, location, and fees.

3) Completed anticipated budget worksheet for Category I.

4) Necessary supporting documents:

• Acknowledgement from event organizers if you are presenting, or officially presiding. If you are a conference presenter, include a conference agenda with your name and FIT affiliation listed.
• Transportation and lodging estimates from recognized travel search engines.

Post-activity Requirements

Upon returning, in order to be reimbursed, please submit a completed Travel & Business Expense Report, original receipts and a 250-word report describing how your experience positively informed your professional growth.

Category I Terms and Conditions

• Only activities directly related to the discipline for which a faculty member was hired by FIT are reimbursable.
• Faculty who receive a grant from the FDGA represent FIT and are expected to indicate their FIT affiliation in event materials. If an institution is listed in place of FIT, reimbursement may be denied.

• Research and Scholarly Activities: Grants for faculty to carry out focused, short-term research/scholarship.
• Creative Practice: Grants for faculty to develop their creative work.
• Pedagogical Research: Grants for faculty to research/develop new teaching methodologies or approaches (The writing of curriculum or programming for which faculty are already compensated is not eligible for funding.).
• Industry Collaboration: Grants for faculty to develop/conduct innovative, industry-related projects.

Evidence of how the proposal builds on documented, sustained research/innovative activities must be included in the application narrative. Funding up to $1,000 for domestic and $1,500 for international activities may be awarded, pending budget for a first request.

Application Requirements and Information

1) 500-word statement of grant purpose that describes your project. Statement must include:

• Title
• Need for project
• Description of your research methods
• Description of activities
• Activities timeline
• Anticipated outcomes for project
• Assessment plan to evaluate outcomes
• Budget rationale explaining the need for specific items like software or equipment.

2) Completed anticipated budget worksheet for Category II.

3) Necessary supporting documents:

• Documentation demonstrating your prior research/ activities that are directly related to newly proposed work.
• Transportation/lodging estimates from recognized travel search engines and/or quotes for other items included on your budget worksheet.

Post-activity Requirements

Upon completion of activities, a completed Expense Report, original receipts and/or budget reports as per award, and a 500-word report describing project outcomes and how the experience positively informed your professional growth.

Category II Terms and Conditions

• Only open to full-time faculty and adjunct faculty who hold a CCE.
• Funded activities must directly support the area of expertise for which faculty were hired by FIT. Research/activities that only indirectly support the faculty member's primary area of expertise will not be funded.
• Activities in this category require a second review by Academic Affairs. Please plan your timetable accordingly.
• Funding is not available for pursuits resulting in direct monetary gain.
• All equipment and/or software purchased will be property of FIT.
• FIT must be acknowledged if funded research is cited or referenced at a conference or in a publication.

Short term, on-campus projects that promote faculty development may be funded. These projects should demonstrate the potential for institutionalization and should have broad-based campus appeal. Projects are capped at $1,000.

Application Requirements and Information

1) 500-word project proposal

2) Budget, preferably with documentation

3) Necessary supporting documents:

• Steps you will take to achieve these goals, including timeline
• Evaluation plan for activities
• Plan for potential adoption by the institution

Post-activity Requirements

After the activity is completed, submit expense documents/receipts as required and a 500-word report describing how faculty growth was fostered as a result of this project.

Category III Terms and Conditions

• Activities primarily directed at students are not eligible.
• Adjunct faculty must submit a letter from their chair, with the application, confirming reappointment for the duration of the project.

Funding to host symposia to bring experts to the campus to address issues of broad-based faculty interest. Activities are capped at $1,000.

Application Requirements and Information

1) 500-word proposal that includes project goals

2) Budget, preferably with documentation

3) Necessary supporting documents:

• Steps to achieve these goals
• Evaluation plan for activities
• Plan for potential adoption by the institution, if appropriate

Post-activity Requirements

Expense documents/receipts as required for other categories of funding.

A 500-word report describing how the project promoted faculty growth.

Category IV Terms and Conditions

• Adjunct faculty must submit a letter from the chair, with their application, confirming reappointment for the duration of the proposed project.

Awards are made to faculty to complete a practicum in their business or industry during the winter or summer breaks for a period of 3-5 weeks. The purpose is to renew professional skills as well as to establish and strengthen collaborations. Practicums are capped at $1,000 (3 weeks) or $1,500 (5 weeks). Reimbursement is issued after the completion of all requirements.

Application Requirements and Information

1) A 500-word statement of purpose is required, describing the scope/job description of the Practicum, its duration and relevance to your faculty development.

2) Necessary supporting document:

• A letter of agreement from the sponsoring business or industry to be submitted with the application.

Post-activity Requirements

Upon completion of practicum, please submit a final report of 500-words describing how your experience positively informed your professional growth.

Category V Terms and Conditions

• Only open to full-time tenured faculty and adjunct faculty who hold a CCE