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SIGCSE Special Projects Grants

 

SIGCSE will fund a limited number of Special Projects to support members who wish to investigate and introduce new ideas in the learning and teaching of computing.  SIGCSE invites its members to apply for funds for this endeavour.  The maximum funding is $5,000 USD per proposal and the level of funding is subject to the quality of proposals received and the availability of funds targeted for such projects.  See successful Special Project Awards.

The application process is relatively informal.  (See Application Form and accompanying narrative that follows.)  Proposal submissions have no closing date but will be considered three times per year, in mid-May, mid-August, and mid-November.  Applications must indicate the purpose of the project, how it will be conducted, the start date and duration of the project, reasons why the project is particularly timely, and its expected outcome. In addition to the specified project outcomes, successful proposers also agree to:

  • produce a brief report on their completed project for the SIGCSE Board,
  • submit papers or proposals for SIGCSE-sponsored conferences such as the Symposium, ITiCSE, and ICER, and
  • take part in the Special Projects Showcase at the SIGCSE Symposium at least as the project concludes.  (Some recipients may also choose to participate in the Showcase during earlier Symposia as well.)

Application Guidelines

To apply for a Special Projects grant:

  1. Complete the Application Form. 
  2. Describe within 1000 words a narrative (general overview) of the project for which you seek SIGCSE support. 
  3. E-mail the completed Application Form followed by the accompanying narrative as a single file to the Special Projects contact address: special-projects@sigcse.org

Please note that:

  • $5000 USD is the maximum award: smaller bids are encouraged.
  • The project must provide some clear benefit to the wider disciplinary community in the form of new knowledge, developing or sharing of a resource, or good practice in learning, teaching, or assessment.  Any projects that are only useful for the proposer’s institution will not be considered for funding.
  • Funds from the SIGCSE Special Project awards may not be used for
    • equipment purchases
    • registration for, travel to, or accommodation at conferences
    • internal staff training and development (although this may be a secondary outcome)
  • SIGCSE, as a voluntary organization, will pay only direct costs, not institutional overheads.
  • SIGCSE will not normally fund more than one Special Project in any one department at any one time.

Process for Making Awards

A SIGCSE Special Projects Review Panel will judge the value and timeliness of proposals and to make the awards.  Unsuccessful applicants will receive feedback on their application and may be encouraged to re-submit their ideas.  The Reviewing Panel will consider all applications to be confidential.

Application

Use the following template and instructions to complete your application. If you do not have access to Word, then use the printed PDF document as your guide.