SAS Language Teaching Innovation Grant

Penn Language Center is pleased to announce a new cycle of SAS Language Teaching Innovation Grants. We encourage participation from all language educators to ensure a variety of grant proposals.

Important dates:

November 10, 2021 - Information Session via Zoom from 2 to 3 PM
December 1, 2021 - Begin accepting proposals
Sunday, January 9, 2022 - Deadline to submit proposals
Tuesday, January 18, 2022 - Announcement of grants
February 1, 2022 - Grant accounts become available
December 31, 2022 - Deadline to complete projects
Spring 2023 - Grants Showcase of 2022 projects

Ready to apply? Click here to skip ahead to the application

For this grant cycle, five types of grants are available:

1. Curriculum Development (up to $1000) - 3 grants

Enrichment or expansion of course materials for an existing course
Creation of a new course (includes course description, syllabus and teaching materials, development of content, tasks and assessment).
Online course proposals
Development of proficiency-based testing materials
Development of the Penn Global Seminar in Languages

2. Language Education through Canvas (up to $1000) – 3 grants

These grants focus on development of materials for effective instruction using a variety of available resources, and development of assessment and rubrics, and specific content and materials for Canvas language courses, etc. These proposals should include blended learning modules designed to facilitate collaborative learning between students to highlight best practices. Awardees will create resources and materials for language courses when working with students on face-to-face and online language projects.

3.   Research (up to $2000) – 1 grant

Projects may incorporate action research, creation of language specific theme-based, project-based activities in the foreign language curriculum.

4.    Professional Development Grants (up to $1000) – 3 grants

This grant strand supports registration fees and travel for participation in or presentation at a conference, seminar, or workshop. Preference given to opportunities that focus on technology, assessment, universal design, and proficiency.

5.    Organization of Online Conference, Seminar, or Workshop (up to $1000) – 1 grant

Grants in this strand fund the hosting of on-campus conferences, seminars, and workshops. Proposals must include goals, themes, format, intended audience, and a detailed budget.

6. Language and Culture Enrichment (up to $500) - 2 grants

Grants in this strand support off-campus activities such as trips to museums, cultural centers, restaurants, performances, etc. to engage students with the wider target language community. Applications must include clearly articulated learning objectives, curricular integration, pre and post activities, and a detailed budget.

7. Summer Grants for Lecturers B (up to $1000) - 3 grants

Same categories as above but with the following notable dates:

May 2 Deadline to apply
May 6 Announcement of grants
May 16 Grant accounts become available
August 31 Deadline to complete project and submit final report

Grant Information Session

This year's workshop for those interested in submitting a grant proposal will take place on November 10, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM via Zoom (link to be emailed). Topics to be covered include budget and administration, research services at Penn, and technical details of a grant proposal. This is a great opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and gain feedback about your project.

Below are common questions about the SAS Language Teaching Innovation Grants Program:

Who is eligible?

All foreign language lecturers as well as language program coordinators and directors at Penn (in the ranks of (Senior) LFL, Lecturer A or B, or Senior Lecturer) may apply for a grant.

What kind of proposals are appropriate?

Funding may be requested for a wide variety of activities related to language instruction, such as curricular innovation, course improvement, materials development, multimedia projects, etc.

What makes a strong proposal?

Contains well-articulated instructional objectives
Reflects a good match of your goals, skills and previous experience
Contains evaluation measures
Provides for sustainability

Who determines the awards?

Proposals will be reviewed by a sub-committee of the Language Advisory Committee.

How do I apply?

Click here for the application form. Please note that before you submit your proposal, you must ask your language coordinator to review your application.

What should I include in my proposal?

Brief project description (abstract)
Project narrative
- Project goals
- Justification based on review of existing or related material
- Detailed description of activities
- Plan of work that demonstrates feasibility of the project
- Technology required, if any
Summary of relevant prior experience by applicant
Detailed budget with justification

What are the budget guidelines?

No travel
No individual equipment
No training
Standardized pay rates for technology support
- Undergrads, basic rate: $10.00-$12.00/hr
- Undergrads, skilled: $10.00-$15.00/hr
- Grad students: $15.00-$20.00/hr
- Any deviations from these guidelines should be justified by qualifications of the person.

Do I need an IRB review?

If you are conducting human research, you may need an IRB. Please go to the website of the Institutional Review Board for details.

Whom should I contact for more information about my project ideas or proposal?

For help with preparing a proposal, please contact:

Christina Frei, Academic Director
Email: cefrei@sas.upenn.edu

For technology questions, please contact:

Betsy Kells, Technology Director
Email: bdou@sas.upenn.edu

For general questions, please contact:

Thi Vuong Poerner, Administrative Coordinator
Email: thivuong@sas.upenn.edu
Lada Vassilieva, Administrative Director
Email: vassilie@sas.upenn.edu