Internal Assessment Grant

This grant program began in 2009 in response to faculty requests for more support for assessment work. The 2021 grants provided funding for a limited number of program assessment activities during the summer months.

Call for Proposals

Application Window: April 15^th through May 15^th, 2023

Purpose: The purpose of these grants is to support and advance faculty work in assessment of student learning outcomes within academic programs.

Award: Grants will be awarded for up to $1000 per project until funds are expended.

Use of Funds: Funds may be used for assessment activities that otherwise could not be completed during the academic year. Possible uses include assessment planning activities (e.g., in a department retreat), purchase of assessment resources (e.g., books, software, etc.), stipends for evaluation of student work products (e.g., portfolios, capstone experiences, etc.), development of assessment methods (e.g., rubric, exam, survey, etc.), and analysis of assessment data. Examples of successful assessment grants from Summer 2022 can be found on this website.

Eligibility: Stipends will be awarded only to continuing full-time tenured/tenure-track or clinical faculty, or full-time instructors. Priority will be given to first time applicants. Department chairs and program directors who receive a summer stipend for their role are ineligible for a stipend under this grant.

Exclusions: Funds may not be used for assessment work that is being funded by other sources or for projects that have been previously supported through this program.

Application Deadlines: Applications will be accepted and undergo review beginning April 15^th through May 15^th, 2023.

Grant Applications: All applications must include the following and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Title of the Summer Assessment Project
Academic Department and Program.
Name(s) of faculty member(s) responsible for the proposed assessment work.
Description of project, including:
- Learning outcomes to be examined
- Action steps
- Timeline for completion
- Explanation of why this work must be completed in the summer months
Fostering a culture of assessment:
- Statement of how the proposed assessment work advanced the program’s assessment plan
- Key deliverables including how the success of the proposed project will be determined
A brief statement of support from the Department Chair that indicates how the proposed project will contribute to the ongoing assessment work of the Department.
Budget for project presented as a list of planned expenditures, including any stipends. Please itemize.

Special Consideration: Grant applications that are addressing any one of these themes will be given special consideration this year:

Equity-minded Assessment
Engaging Students in Assessment (Ex: Harnessing student voice on feedback on program learning outcomes, assessment practices, assessment tools, etc.)

Review Procedures: Submit applications via email to David Sapp, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at david.sapp@lmu.edu. Please include “Summer Assessment Grant 2023” in the subject line of your email. The Assessment Advisory Committee may be called upon to assist in determining grant awardees.

Award Notification: Recipients of the Summer Assessment Grant 2023 will be notified via email in early June.

Grant Summary: Faculty awarded a grant are required to submit a grant summary by September 6^th, 2023 to David Sapp, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at david.sapp@lmu.edu. Please see the “Summer Assessment Grant Summary Guidelines” on the next page for more details.

Disbursement of Grant Funds: Awarded goods and materials may be purchased on or after June 1^st, 2023. Upon request the goods and materials will be purchased for you, or you will be reimbursed following submission of receipts. Stipends will be disbursed upon submission of the grant summary.

For questions, please contact David Sapp, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at david.sapp@lmu.edu.

Summer Assessment Grant Summary Guidelines

Due September 6^th, 2023
Email: assessment@lmu.edu

The grant summary must include:

1. Summary of completed activities

Refer to your grant application and award letter for a list of all proposed activities and deliverables.

2. Reflection

Describe how you met your criteria for success, as outlined in your grant application. If you did not meet your criteria for success, please explain.

3. Next Steps

The next steps to be taken in the assessment plan for the program. Specifically, explain how the work you’ve just completed will be utilized in the ongoing assessment work of the program.

4. Grant Summary Abstract (100 words)

The abstract may be edited by the Office of Assessment staff and will be posted on the assessment website. For examples of abstracts of past grant recipients, please see: Summer Assessment Grant Abstracts 2021

Please note that stipends will be disbursed upon submission of the grant summary by the due date.