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Faculty-Directed EA Program Innovation Fund

2020 CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Michigan State University has a long history of successful faculty-directed education abroad programming dating back to the 1950s. In an era of Flat Rate Tuition implementation and increased pressure for students to complete their degree in four years, an opportunity exists for MSU to re-envision faculty-directed programming.

Through the new Faculty-Directed Education Abroad Program Innovation Fund, the Office for Education Abroad will provide up to $5,000 for faculty-directed programming that delivers high-quality experiences at affordable costs while facilitating students’ academic degree completion. 

The funds will support the development of unique, new faculty-directed education abroad programs or the significant revision/redevelopment of existing faculty-directed programs. Travel to examine a site’s suitability for an innovative program, attendance at a relevant conference to explore creative ideas, implementation of new technologies, etc. will be considered appropriate uses of these funds.

Proposals will be accepted until August 1, 2020.

A maximum of five (5) program development grants will be awarded annually.

Submitting a proposal

Program proposals should include the following:

  • A narrative description of the proposed or revised program, with a focus on aspects that make the program unique and support students’ personal, professional and intercultural learning and development (maximum 500 words)
  • A budget for the intended activity (site visit, conference attendance, technology, etc.)
  • A brief description of how each item requested in the budget will facilitate program development
  • Letters of support from the sponsoring department’s chair and the college’s lead representative on the MSU Advisory Council on Education Abroad

Completed proposals must be emailed to the Assistant to the Executive Director of Education Abroad and clearly indicate that the application is for the Faculty-Directed Education Abroad Program Innovation Fund initiative.

The proposal deadline is August 1, 2020.

Review process

A committee with broad cross-college and cross-unit representation will review proposals and focus specifically on those that:

  • Offer new, innovative and exciting ideas for faculty-directed Education Abroad programming that relate directly to MSU’s Learning Design Strategy and the framework of Quality, Inclusivity and Connectivity
  • Foster cross-college and cross-unit collaboration
  • Explicitly address impact on students’ time-to-degree
  • Show potential to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented students participating in Education Abroad
  • Deliver high-quality programming in ways that minimize cost

Contact the Executive Director of the Office for Education Abroad with questions.

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