Application Guidelines

Eligibility

Any UC Berkeley Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) teaching a section or course during the 2007-2008 academic year or summer session is eligible to apply. GSIs may receive no more than one grant per semester.

Amount Awarded

The maximum amount awarded is $300, and full or partial funding may be provided. Funds are transferred to and administered by the department in which the course is being taught. Any items purchased through this program shall remain the property of the University, as stipulated in the award letter.

Implementation of Project

Projects need to take place during the GSI's teaching assignment. GSIs may apply for funds in the semester before they teach or during their teaching appointment, but not during or after the project has been undertaken. Funds must be spent by the end of the semester in which the grant is awarded.

Deadline

There is no deadline, but applications, letters of support, and any required documentation must be received no later than 3 weeks prior to the implementation of the proposed project. Applications are accepted year-round.

Application Form and Documentation Process

To submit a proposal, you must complete an application form and checklist [pdf]. Two copies of the proposal must be submitted to the GSI Teaching and Resource Center, 301 Sproul Hall. The application and checklist must be accompanied by all documents relevant to the request, including a résumé for prospective speakers, a letter of support from the faculty member in charge of the course, and, when appropriate, a minimum of two estimates for purchases over $100.

Assistance in Developing a Proposal

Information and assistance in planning and developing your grant proposal are available from the GSI Teaching and Resource Center in 301 Sproul Hall. You may call (510) 642-4456 or e-mail gsi@berkeley.edu if you wish to discuss your project with a consultant.

Types of Projects That Are Funded

Typical activities funded by GSI Course Improvement Grants include:

• funding guest speakers ($75 maximum honorarium)
• purchasing theater or museum tickets
• developing or purchasing slides
• renting or purchasing films and videos
• purchasing instructional materials that are not a standard part of the course (e.g., maps or charts)

Examples of Grants Awarded

• English: tickets to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre
• Rhetoric: guest presentation on the various styles of reading poetry
• Human Biodynamics: purchase of instructional videotapes on expert swimmers
• Latin American Studies: class visit by renowned Guatemalan human rights lawyer
• Astronomy: entrance fee to the California Academy of Sciences

See also the Past Recipients and Projects page

Suggestions for Writing a Successful Proposal

• Read the guidelines carefully.
• Describe concrete, specific activities you will implement prior to and after the project to maximize student learning.
• When requesting funds for a guest speaker, please list his/her qualifications and attach a résumé.
• Make sure the faculty member writing your letter of support has read your proposal and can comment specifically on its merits in the support letter.
• Contact the Media Resources Center in Moffitt Library to ensure materials are not already available on campus before requesting funds to purchase or rent films and videotapes.
• Consult with your department's business officer or administrative assistant when filling out departmental account information.

Restrictions

These funds cannot be used to augment or provide normal departmental course support (e.g., duplicating of standard course materials or purchasing supplies). Projects that impact an entire course being taught by a faculty member are under the faculty member's purview, and funding should be sought through the Office of Educational Development (510-642-6392). Funds may be used for expenses related to course improvement with the following exceptions:

• Salaries (e.g., GSI, GSR, bibliographer)
• Food or entertainment
• Travel
• Publication of class writing projects (e.g., class novels, anthologies, etc.)
• Stipends for guest speakers exceeding $75 per person
• More than three guest speakers in a given semester

Criteria for Judging Proposals

• Anticipated impact on student learning
• Anticipated impact on teaching
• Well-designed and pedagogically-sound activities that prepare students for the project beforehand and integrate the project after its completion
• Perceived potential of project to achieve stated goals
• Clarity and specificity of proposal
• Well-designed evaluation
• Project originality and innovation

Impact of Grant

Funded applicants will be sent a questionnaire with the award letter in which they will be asked to describe the results and impact of their projects. The questionnaire should be returned to the GSI Teaching and Resource Center as soon as the project is completed but no later than the end of the semester in which the grant has been awarded.

Notification of Awards

Applicants typically will be notified three weeks after submitting an application.

• 2007 - 2008 application [pdf]
• 2007 - 2008 checklist [pdf]