Smith Teaching and Learning Grants (Copy, RC20240122)

The Vice Provost for Academic Engagement and Student Achievement is responsible for soliciting grant proposals for innovative ideas that enhance teaching and learning at WSU. Projects are sought that address WSU’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA); a second IDEA grant added in 2022 is the Transformational Change Initiative (TCI) Grant for Advancing IDEA. Applications for both awards are due in spring; the deadline for the current round of Smith Teaching and Learning Grants is March 13, 2024. Smith grants are typically awarded and announced in mid- to late April.

The Smith grant program was established through the Samuel H. and Patricia W. Smith Teaching and Learning Endowment, begun in 2000 when WSU President Smith retired.  

Focus Areas for Award Cycles

Proposals are typically sought that address a few specific areas through innovative practices that improve student learning. This year, successful proposals must address one or more of the Eight Principles of Effective Teaching that have been outlined by the Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Texas:

1. Deliberate and intentional planning: e.g., aligning course design through universal design principles; diversifying resources; identifying barriers and their solutions
2. Construction of knowledge: e.g., scaffolded student learning; earlier and more frequent assessment design and implementation
3. Active engagement in learning: e.g., developing activities that help students build knowledge at a deeper and longer-lasting level
4. Relevance to disciplinary experiences: e.g., experiences that help students think like a practitioner
5. Use of assessment data and feedback: e.g., developing a variety of methods to assess student learning and provide formative and summative feedback
6. Shared responsibility for learning: e.g., giving more responsibility to students for their own learning
7. Learning from peers: e.g., developing projects where students learn together
8. Establish and support a class climate that fosters belonging for all students: e.g., adapting materials and resources that students can identify with; syllabus and/or assessment redesign

Which Grant Is Right for Me?

While the Smith Teaching and Learning Grant and TCI IDEA Grant programs may look similar upon a cursory glance, there are distinct requirements and key differences between the two. Our The “Which Faculty Support Grant is Right for Me?” section of faculty award overview page explains the nuances.