Faculty Professional Development Funding & Grants

1. Tenure-track faculty on the R&T roster from all disciplines. 

2. Administrators at the rank of full professor are not eligible. 

3. Faculty members who are on sabbatical during the whole academic year of the award (i.e., the grant academic year). 

4. Faculty members must be in compliance with college-wide diversity training requirements. Grant recipients who are not up to date will need to complete Guide training in spring 2026. 

5. Faculty members who have not received a Faculty Research Grant in the last three review cycles. Use the following information to determine when you can apply. 

Visiting faculty and adjunct faculty are not eligible to apply.

Eligible faculty members may apply for Faculty Research Grants of up to $5,000. Faculty collaborating on a joint project may apply for one Grant not to exceed $5,000.

Internal faculty research grants support direct costs associated with scholarly inquiry, creative activity, and the dissemination of research findings. Funds may be used for research materials, data collection, student research assistance, travel for scholarly presentation, publication costs, transcription services, miscellaneous supplies, specialized equipment and other expenses essential to the successful completion of the proposed project. (NOTE: Equipment purchased with Grant funds remains the property of the College after the grant period).

Funds will be available for use during the following fiscal year only, starting July 1 and through the following June 30.

Please submit proposals to your school Dean, who will then submit them as a set to Academic Affairs. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed. 

A complete proposal will include the following:

1. Project Description: Use this template

2. CV emphasizing your qualifications to pursue this specific project.  

3. IRB (if needed): Please include a copy of your planned submission to the IRB. Formal IRB approval will be required by the end of May, if grant is awarded.

 Detailed guidelines are available here.

Review Process 

Please submit proposals to your school Dean, who will then submit them as a set to Academic Affairs. The Rank & Tenure Committee will review the Faculty Research Grant proposals. Upon the committee's recommendation, and consultation with the school Deans, the Office of the Provost will award the Faculty Research Grants. 

Evaluation Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated based on the explanation of the project with respect to the following areas:

1. The research question(s) and aim of the project; 

2. The methods or creative practice methodologies that will be used; 

3. The expected outcomes and/or significance of research;

4. How the project will contribute to the applicant’s specific discipline; 

5. How the project supports the Lasallian mission, promotes social justice, or supports historically marginalized communities within the applicant’s discipline;

7. The applicant’s qualifications to pursue this project; 

8. Feasibility of work plan; and 

9. Demonstration of the need and budget narrative. 

Grant recipients will provide with a report of grant activity within sixty days of the conclusion of the grant period. More information about the requirements of the grant activity report will be shared with grantees.

Failure to submit the final report will result in a loss of eligibility for future faculty research grants.

Grant recipients may be invited to share the results of their efforts with the broader SMC community in the form of a public presentation and support future applicants through information and/or training sessions. 

To be eligible for an award,

Upon the recommendation of the Rank & Tenure Committee, the Office of the Provost will award one FIPG. 

Eligibility

Faculty from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Faculty members must be tenure-track 

Visiting faculty and adjunct faculty are not eligible to apply

Faculty members must be in compliance with college-wide diversity training requirements. Grant recipients who are not up to date will need to complete Guide training in spring 2026. 

Faculty members who have not received an FIPG in the last three review cycles. Use the following information to determine when you can apply. 

The Award: 

Each FIPG winner will receive $3,000 for:

• the planning, implementation, and execution of the proposed pedagogy
• travel for planning purposes,
• hiring specialists,
• course speaker fees,
• miscellaneous supplies
• costs associated with experiential learning activities and/or  specialized equipment (note that equipment purchased with FIPGs remains the property of the College at the conclusion of the grant period)

Funds will be available for use during the following fiscal year only. Starting July 1 and through the following June 30. Unspent balances from this grant will be used as additional funding for future Faculty Innovative Pedagogy Grants.

To be considered, proposals MUST include the following attachments.

1. A project description, budget,  and copies of current/proposed syllabi illustrating the modification planned. Everything must be merged into one document for attachment. 

2. IRB (if applicable) Acknowledgement of Need and Intent to Submit Proposal for IRB Review. This is only applicable if your teaching will be used in a research study. 

3.CV indicating experience salient to this project. 

 Use this application form to complete your proposal.

Innovative pedagogies include but are not limited to:

• the use of new or existing pedagogical theories, teaching methods, and/or classroom technologies for the modification of a currently existing course;
• partnership with outside organization/individuals;
• experiential activities; and
• use of atypical material for the course. 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following review criteria:

1. Clarity of description of the innovative pedagogical practice to be applied in the classroom in the specific discipline
2. Clarity of description and explanation of how the innovation/practice will address the following three learning outcomes:
   1. advance student intellectual growth,
   2. cultivate critical thinking,
   3. help build a student-centered learning community
   4. will center equity, social justice, and/or concern for marginalized communities
3. How well the plan to assess student learning is related to the proposed innovative teaching method(s).

Upon the recommendation of the Rank and Tenure Committee, the Office of the Provost will award one FIPG.

The grant recipient must provide a short report (2-3 pages) of grant activity within sixty days of the conclusion of the course. In addition to the expenditures, this report should address the impact or effect the innovative practice had on student learning and a reflection on how this practice benefitted the faculty member and College. This report will be then forwarded to the Office of Provost. This report must include and be informed by the data analysis and key findings from the applicant’s assessment plan.

The grant recipient is also required to present the results of the innovative pedagogy to the College community within one year in the form of an interactive workshop with demonstrations or a presentation of the description of innovative practices, emphasizing the impact on student learning. 

Research Awards 

1. Research Award: Scholarly Conference

• Presentation of scholarly research as a paper or equivalent (e.g., a posted, round-table, panel paper, or musical or other artistic work) to one’s academic peers or equivalent
• Participation in a panel, workshop, or institute that requires significant scholarly preparation in order to develop greater expertise or to share disciplinary expertise.
• Scholarly activity that has been peer-reviewed or selected by a professional organization for inclusion in a conference program (e.g., invited paper, keynote address).

Participation must be documented with a letter of invitation or acceptance as well as a pdf or link to the conference program that includes your name as presenter.

2. Research Award: Preparation/Research Related to Scholarship 

• Performing research in order to complete peer reviewed scholarship (e.g., books, articles, reviews, reports, creative work, scientific or technological projects). This includes travel to archives, field sites, or research institutes for data collection, interviews. It also includes translations, purchase of essential research materials, and stipends for outside research assistants. 

If funding is requested for an ongoing scholarly project for which the applicant has previously received an award, the applicant must include a progress report demonstrating that the project has entered a new phase requiring additional funding. Equipment and unused materials become the property of SMC. 

Administrative Awards 

Fulfillment of major administrative commitments (e.g. officers in a professional organization hosting the conference, major symposium coordinator, etc.) that require organizational work in advance of the conference and active duties during the conference. 

Applications for Administrative Awards must include an email/letter of invitation or web link, and correspondence or an outline detaining the administrative work. Only one active administrative award is fundable annually. 

Non Tenure-Track Faculty Development Awards

Non-Tenure Track Faculty Development Award for Scholarly and Pedagogical Activity: Conferences and workshops that advance a non-tenure track faculty’s professional development and/or teaching pedagogy and that may also benefit their department or school.

A. Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty

Faculty are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 per academic year. 

This includes Tenured and Tenure Track Faculty on the Rank & Tenure roster, including faculty on reduced services plan, academic administrators with faculty rank, and faculty on sabbatical. Professors Emeriti are ineligible for awards.

B. Salaried Adjunct & Visiting Professors

Faculty are eligible to apply for up to $2,100 per academic year. 

See the CBA, Article 15, for eligibility criteria.

C. Eligible Bargaining Unit Faculty Members Teaching Per-Course (Adjunct)  

Faculty are eligible to apply for up to $2,100 per academic year. 

See the CBA, Article 15, for eligibility criteria.

Note: Faculty on leave of absence are ineligible for awards. 

STEP 1: School Level Application Process

Applications must include how the activity or project aligns with the Rank & Tenure Standards in the Faculty Handbook or, for non-Tenure-Track faculty, the alignment of the activity or project with your professional development goals as a member of the Saint Mary’s College faculty.

Funds are issued via Expense Report for reimbursement after the activity takes place. If you need funds in advance, please contact your school Dean’s office with this request.

STEP 2: COLLEGE LEVEL APPLICATION PROCESS

If Faculty Development Funds are to be used for travel or personnel-related expenses (such as stipends, honoraria, or additional pay), the College’s Hiring and Travel Exception Request process must be completed prior to incurring any expenses. The School will submit the Travel Exception Request form, and inform the faculty when their travel has been approved. This step is required to ensure compliance with institutional approval and budgetary controls. Failure to obtain appropriate prior approval through this process may result in ineligibility for reimbursement.

Exception:  Travel funded through Faculty Development Funds that directly supports student recruitment, advancement/fundraising efforts, or student-facing experiences—such as performances, athletics, or course-related trips— is exempt from the College’s Hiring and Travel Exception Request process.

To access the complete information on these topics, please visit the HR webpage.

• Guidelines and FAQs
• Exception Request Form
• Campus Announcement

Timing of Applications

• Applications are due a minimum of 6 weeks in advance of the activity.
• Applications must be submitted to the Dean’s office by the 20th of each month using the School-specific form.
• Applications made after the 20th will be reviewed with the following month’s applications.
• Applications must be submitted prior to the proposed activity.
• All applicable School and College level approvals must be successfully completed to be eligible for funding.
• Applications for retroactive funding will not be considered.

TRAC Approval

Travel Outside the Bay Area: TRAC provides risk assessment for College-sponsored activities off-campus, including academic international and domestic travel programs, athletic travel, College-sponsored travel by faculty, staff, and students (including conference travel, research conducted off campus, and club-sponsored activities like alternative spring breaks sponsored or hosted by campus organizations).  This protocol applies to risk management only.  Any other approvals (chair, director, SVP) are still required in addition to this form.

Approval from the SMC Travel Risk Assessment Committee (TRAC) is required for all College-sponsored international travel and any travel with students outside of the Bay Area. TRAC Applications must be submitted one month before planned travel. Links: TRAC website and the TRAC Application Form. Please do not submit this application until you have applied for and received TRAC approval if your proposal includes international travel or travel with students outside of the Bay Area.

Purchases of Equipment or Software

These are not to be made out of pocket, but through the College’s procurement policy. Such requests must be made within the appropriate academic School or unit for purchase and approval

Expenses Not Covered

Membership fees in professional organizations are not typically paid through this fund unless this generates a substantial reduction in meeting registration fees. 

Acknowledgment of Funding

If the project or activity results in a publication, you must acknowledge the support of Saint Mary’s College of California. 

Funding Limitations

Please note that funds are limited and can only be awarded so long as the fund has not been depleted.

Cancellation of Activity

There are no penalties if you need to cancel plans for any reason. Simply contact your school Dean’s office to let them know as soon as possible.

Post-Activity Requirements

All funding approvals and reimbursements must adhere to the College's Travel and Business Expense Policy for reimbursable expenses as posted on the Business Office website.

Expense Reports must be submitted to the Dean’s office for approval no later than ten (10) working days from the date the expense was incurred.

Reimbursement for pre-approved expenses will be processed once you have submitted all receipts and an expense report, otherwise the award may be rescinded and returned to the faculty development fund to enable other faculty to apply for funding.

If you are receiving funding from another source these reimbursements need to be treated separately.