SoTL Microgrants


Mason SoTL Research Project Microgrants Program

The purpose of the Mason SoTL microgrants program is to foster a culture of evidence-based research designed to contribute new knowledge related to teaching and learning at Mason. The program will support faculty conducting or disseminating SoTL research, with a preference for teams of faculty collaborating on a project, or teams including graduate students.

The duration of the grant is for one academic year, running from September 1, 2023 – June 1, 2024.

Project expectations

Proposed projects can include activities at any stage of data collection, analysis, and dissemination, including but not limited to the following:

  • initiating data collection for a new SoTL project
  • continuing data collection for a SoTL research project-in-progress
  • extending a previous SoTL project to another course, intervention, or research question
  • conducting data analysis
  • writing in preparation for submitting a presentation, publication, or book proposal

The expectation is that applicants will have a completed project plan, including prepared IRB application materials, to submit with their grant application. Each applicant may request up to $1,000.

Priority will be given to applications from a team of faculty and graduate students working on a common SoTL project. Cross-departmental/school collaborations are encouraged.

Eligibility

While teams can include full- and part-time faculty and staff, the project principal investigator must be a full-time faculty or staff member. Applications must include a completed project plan, including a complete (not necessarily approved) IRB application.

Eligible expenses* include the following:

  • wages for research assistant(s)**
  • consulting, data preparation, or data analysis fees
  • research equipment or supplies
  • participant incentives (e.g., gift cards),
  • travel/lodging for conducting and/or presenting research
  • conference fees for presenting research

*faculty stipends are not an eligible expense.

**student involvement should be a clearly defined role, for a short-term and limited scope of work. If long-term, ongoing undergraduate research assistance is needed, contact the OSCAR Federal Work Study office (oscarfws@gmu.edu).

Awardee expectations 

All grant recipients are expected to:

  • Conduct the project as proposed, to the best of their ability, and keep the Stearns Center apprised of changes that might need to be made to their plans.
  • Keep the Stearns Center informed of Institutional Review Board (IRB) status.
  • Provide a brief mid-year report in January 2024 (a template will be provided).
  • Submit a one-page final report in June 2024 that describes:
    • overview of the project activities,
    • summary of results for the project (which will be posted to the SoTL Grants section of the CTE website), and
    • summary of dissemination efforts and plans.
  • Work toward disseminating the work from the project, to include participating in a Stearns Center-designated presentation in the fall following project completion. 
  • Acknowledge the funding from the Stearns Center when presenting and publishing the findings.

Application details

Applicants must submit a complete project plan, including project aims, procedures, timeline, and budget. Applications are due August 15, 2023. Potentially interested applicants should reach out to Dr. Breana Bayraktar, bbayrakt@gmu.edu, with any questions or for assistance in preparing their application.

Apply here