TIGERS

Technology Integration Grants for Educational Resource Sharing

Sponsored by:
CSU Community of Academic Technology Staff (CATS) and the CSU Center for Distributed Learning (CDL)

Eligible Recipients: CSU Adademic Technology Staff
Due Date for Proposals: April 30, 2003
Notification of Grant Awards: May 15, 2003
Project Completion Deadline: No later than February 13, 2004
Distribution: All products of TIGERS will be distributed through MERLOT-CATS, regional CATS meetings, HorizonLive sessions, or other venues as deemed appropriate.

Initiated in 1999, TIGERS grants are awarded to CSU academic technology staff for the purpose of creaing technical tools and other instructional support resources that can be shared through the CSU system to improve the use of technology in the learning and teaching process. A total of $20,000 is available for 2003/2004 TIGERS projects.

The following are the 2003/2004 TIGERS proposal categories:

• Service. The establishment of CATS service groups in areas that will have a broad impact throughout the system. An example is the IDEA Heuristic Design project that was funded by TIGERS 2001/2002: materials were developed and workshops were held to train participants in website and software design usability, with the intention of establishing a team of reviewers to evaluate designs submitted by staff throughout the system. TIGERS would provide the seed money to start-up groups. Proposals for the start-up of groups should include a plan for how the group will be sustained after the grant is completed.

• Tool Creation. The development of tools that can be shared, used, and modified by other CATS members. Examples include CSU San Marcos’ online voting system or CSU Humboldt’s open-source Merge Media website. Priority will be given to projects that clearly show potential benefit to multiple CSU campuses.

• Packaging. The conversion of existing high-quality software applications to make them web-accessible for a wider audience. Examples include converions of exisiting instructional software projects or training tools. Other projects could include documentation of a method or practice to make it reproducible by others, or packaging of a customized software implementation, such as a system administration or lab management tool or method. Priority will be given to projects that clearly show potential benefit to multiple CSU campuses.

• Regional CATS Workshops. CATS members will be funded to provide workshops on topics of value to the Community, and the to the CSU, at selected regional sites. Priority will be given to topics that are best delivered in a face-to-face setting.

• The project must be consistent with the purpose of the TIGERS funds, i.e., it must address a siginificant common need within the system, with multi-campus benefits for the CSU.

• The total funding requested from TIGERS may be in any amount up to the total amount available for the program ($20,000), but smaller projects that can be completed and distributed quickly are encouraged.

• TIGERS grant money can be used for staff time (in the form of release time or stipends), travel, supplies, or specialized software needed to complete the project. Hardware may not be purchased with TIGERS grant funds.

• The proposal must include a cover page, a narrative of no more than two pages detailing the project, and brief, pertinent biographical information about the staff member(s) working on the project and their ability to complete the project. (See proposal format details below.)

• If the project would make use of campus resources (e.g., computer or media equipment, software) or matching resources (e.q., travel funds, staff time), the proposal must be signed by a campus official authorized to commit those resources to the project.

• TIGERS recipients will be required to deliver their products and submit a written report to the CDL no later than February 13, 2004. Preferece will be given to projects that have early start and delivery dates. Recipients will also be required to work with the CATS Program Manager to create a realistic timeline and, where appropriate, to develop and market workshops, meetings, or other methods of disseminating the project, including CATS 2004.

To be considered for TIGERS fudning, one paper and one electronic copy (in pdf or MS Word format) must be submitted to Abbe Altman, CSU Center for Distributed Learning, 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park, CA 94928, abbe@cdl.edu. Proposals must be recieved before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2003. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.

• Format. The proposal must be no more than two pages in length, on 8.5" x 11" paper, in type no smaller than 10 point, and with margins of at least 1 inch on all sides.

• Cover Page. This page must include a descriptive title for the project; an indication of which proposal category the submission addresses; the name of the proposer (and other project staff members, including the campus, and contact information (telephone, email, fax). The proposer (and other project staff members) must sign the cover page, and must provide contact information (telephone, email, fax) and obtain the signatures of appropriate supervisors and/or officials authorized to commit staff and/or resources that may be specified in the proposal.

• Narrative. The proposal should address the nature of the project and how it fits with the purpose of the 2003/2004 TIGERS initiatives, and should include a description of the work to be done and a timeline for completion. It should be responsive to the proposal requirements detailed above. Goals, objective, and deliverables must be clearly developed.

• Reference and Source Material. In the case of Category 3, the software that is to be converted must be provided along with the proposal. This may be provided in the form of CD-ROM or vidoetape (VHS, SuperVHS, and MiniDV formats are acceptable). In the case of Professional Development grants, a URL or test-based documentation describing the conference or training the project staff member(s) wish to attend must be provided aling with the proposal.

• Budget. The budget must specify the proposed expenditures. It should indicate what resources are being requested (e.g., personnel, specialized software, travel, fees). Listing of personnel should include their roles on the project and the number of hours esitmated.

• Biographical Information. Summarize briefly what experience and education qualify the proposer (and other project staff) to conduct the projcet. Total biographical information for all participants may not exceed one page.

TIGERS proposals will be reviewed by a panel consisting of the Senior Director of Academic Technology Services for the CSU Chancellor's Office; the Director of the CSU Center for Distributed Learning; the CATS Program Manager; a CATS member; and an Academic Computing Director and faculty member, to be selected from within the CSU. Reviewers will perform an inital evaluation of all proosals. The panel will then meet to discuss the proposals and formulate recommendations. Proposers may be asked to meet with the review panel to discuss their proposals and answer questions. The recommendations may involve a revision of a project or budget, which would then be discussed with the proposer before final awards are made.

Proposers of projects recommended for funding will be contacted by telephone by May 15, 2003.

Questions may be addressed to Abbe Altman, CSU Center for Distributed Learning, at 707.664.4341 or email abbe@cdl.edu.