TEC Conference/Workshop Support

Proposal Deadlines: TEC Conference/Workshop funding requests have year round open enrollment as long as funds are available.

Introduction and Purpose:
This grant provides up to $700 towards the costs of attending a professional conference. The purpose of attendance must be for professional development to enhance teaching which is clearly connected to the applicant's teaching assignments. These funds are to be used only to enhance other funds normally available to the individual.

Eligibility: All faculty are eligible to apply for TEC Conference/Workshop support. Grant proposals must be received three weeks prior to project start/travel date.

*NOTE* regarding sabbatical leave: Please mention in your proposal if you will be on sabbatical at anytime during the proposed grant period. TEC support will not be granted during sabbatical leave unless the proposed project is included in the application for faculty sabbatical. A letter from your chair is required that states that this project is included in your sabbatical application. If travel support for a conference or workshop is requested during sabbatical leave, a maximum of one-third of travel support (up to $700) will be provided. At least two-thirds of travel support must be provided by the department/college or other grant support. This applies only during sabbatical leave.

Allowable Expenses:
The basic rationale underlying all Bradley University travel regulations is to incur the lowest practical and reasonable expense while completing the travel in an efficient and timely manner.  Reimbursement is allowed for ordinary and necessary traveling expenses incurred by an employee while attending a teaching and learning conference/workshop, including registration, hotel, gas, parking, meals and tips, tolls, and materials/supplies related to the conference/workshop attendance.

Non-Allowable Expenses:
TEC Conference/Workshop awardees are required to comply with Bradley University's guidelines, located at http://www.bradley.edu/controller/policy/travelreimbursement.shtml.

Review Process:
An assessment committee consisting of the Innovative Teaching Panel and the Director of OTEFD oversees and makes recommendations on the funding of projects. The Innovative Teaching Panel is composed of the last three years’ winners of the Putnam, the Caterpillar Inc. Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching, New Faculty Teaching Awards, and Dean-appointed faculty. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of the review process within two to three weeks of proposal submission.

Application Submission Process:
Apply in the DocSoup section of your MyBU portal, located at https://carta/bradley.edu/docsoup/portal. Be sure to have all application requirements as indicated in the guidelines, including Department Chair and Dean letters of support, ready to attach prior to applying.

Proposal Format:
The proposal narrative should be a maximum of two double-spaced pages, and written using 12-point font. Applicants may include preliminary information related to the effort. Figures/Tables in the proposal must be clearly legible and understandable. Please note that the proposal should be comprehensible to the review committee which is comprised of academic professionals from a variety of disciplines.

The proposal should include goals for attending the conference/workshop and expected outcomes where specific offerings at the conference/workshop are clearly connected to teaching assignments at Bradley. In addition, the proposal must demonstrate that the main goal of attending this conference is teaching and learning and is over and above funding by the department or college.

Proposal Required Components:

1) Completed Application Form

2) A narrative about the proposed request that is a maximum of two double-spaced pages and addresses the criteria listed above as well as the specifics of the conference or workshop (where, when, topics covered). A copy of the preliminary program may be included.

3) A one-page, itemized travel budget. For travel and accommodations, identify the proposed conference hotel(s) and include estimated room rates. Address travel issues. Include information regarding possible transportation and accommodation “conference rates” or discounts for attendees. The itemized budget should reflect the scope of the conference/workshop, including other sources of possible funding (e.g. self, department, college, other grant monies).

4) Recommendation statements from Chairperson AND Dean (attach when applying).

Additional Resources:

• Click here to view Conferences & Workshops Guidelines

• All faculty travel must be approved by the Provost's Office by completing the Academic Affairs Travel Authorization Form at least ONE week prior to travel date. Click here to download form.
  

• 2011-2012 Innovative Teaching Panel