In an effort to promote innovation, collaboration and high-impact practices, the UAB Division of Student Affairs has earmarked grant funding to support initiatives that advance its strategic priorities. All Student Affairs departments as well as its individual staff are encouraged to apply for funding for programs, events and initiatives that will be implemented during the 2018-2019 schoolyear and are not already being supported by a traditional budget.

Only those programs that are designed for students will be considered. Monies cannot be used by offices or departments for staff development. Programs that are proposed as a joint effort between multiple units and promote collaboration either internally or externally will be heavily considered.

The application is now available online and will be accepted up until Friday, June. 22. A committee made up of Student Affairs professionals as well as faculty and staff from Academic Affairs will review all applications. Finalists will be invited to give a presentation on Friday, July 13 to further explain the initiative for which they require funding. Grant awards will be announced in August during the Division Breakfast.

All applications for funding must meet the criteria below: 

• Timeline: Include a timeline of the program launch, marketing plan, assessment development, data collection and concluding report.  
• Budget: Explain how the requested money be utilized to ensure success of the program. (Note: For the initial review, a general budget may be submitted highlighting expected expenses. If the program is selected to move on to the presentation round, a detailed budget must be submitted.)  
• Research: Provide national or institutional research that supports the need for the establishment of the proposed program.
• Learning Outcome: Demonstrate the utilization of High-Impact Practices to facilitate the skills or knowledge that students will gain, enhance or develop as a result of attending the program or office. Explain how will their learning be evaluated.
• Assessment Plan: Specify what methods will be utilized to assess the success of the program. Assessment plans should include both satisfaction and learning outcomes based assessment. 
• Implementation of Program: Tell what steps have already been taken to ensure that the proposed program can be implemented by expressed date.
• Alignment with Strategic Priorities: Explain how the proposed program aligns with the strategic priorities of the Division and/or your office as well as the University Strategic Plan (Forging The Future).
• Director approval: All proposed programs must have the full support of the office director. In cases of collaborative proposals all directors must submit signed approval. 
• Renewal: Successful programs may submit for a renewal of the Strategic Investment Grant for a maximum of one additional year. In order to be considered for renewal, an application must be submitted during the next Strategic Investment Grant application time.  

The application is available HERE