EIU Office of Research and Sponsored Programs

• Proposals are not intended for a lay audience and should be written for review by someone who is trained in the faculty member’s field.
• All relevant attachments (as specified in the application) must be included with the initial submission.
• Department Chair (or immediate supervisor) signature is required in the application.

Proposals submitted by a single individual: In any given round of funding, an individual may submit no more than one proposal for which they will serve as the sole project director. An individual who submits such a proposal may still submit one or more collaborative proposals.*

*Applicants who submit more than one proposal per round of funding should explain how working on more than one project will be feasible.

Tips for a Successful Proposal:

Proposals should address the following:

1. Is the project academic?

• The proposed project should be about curriculum.
• The project should not be entirely devoted to the marketing of something that already exists. 
• Service activities that make no strong contribution to a new academic program would not be applicable.

2. Does the project involve development at the program level?

• The project should develop a new program or transform an old program into something new.
• API grants would not be utilized to develop just one course in isolation.
• The project should have a broad appeal; it should not be just one person’s favorite idea or project.

3. Is the project innovative?

• The project should bring something new to EIU.

4. Is there a data-driven reason to think that enrollment will increase? 

• There should be credible data to suggest that a measurable increase in enrollment will result.
• Sources of data include—but are not limited to—experiences at other institutions, employment conditions in some industry or profession, or growing demand in an existing academic program
• Projections should be clear and specific. For example:

Similar projects at three comparable universities resulted in an 8% increase in applications on average for their program. In a survey of undergraduate students in EIU’s program conducted last year, 64% indicated they would prioritize a graduate program that contained this component.  

Vague projections such as, “This will be a very popular program and will bring in more students,” are not recommended.

API Award Criteria:

Two criteria will be used to assess applications:

1. Potential to enhance the academic reputation and foster new curricular innovations at EIU in order to increase enrollment.

• • Projects that create new curriculum that will enhance Eastern’s academic reputation
  • Projects that support innovation in student learning
  • Projects that support innovation in program accessibility
  • Projects that enable Eastern to evolve to address new learning interests of students
  • Projects that provide innovative program pathways that will attract students to EIU

2. Evidence of substantial academic engagement by the project director.

• • Previous record of curriculum innovation
  • A commitment to design, implement and disseminate results
  • Record of performance or presentation of creative works in external venues
  • Record of involving students as collaborators in external engagement
  • Interest in prior learning assessment or competency-based learning models

Timeline for Proposal Evaluation and Awards:

Proposals will be reviewed by a committee consisting of the Dean of the Graduate School, a Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, and an additional dean selected by the Dean of the Graduate School and approved by the Provost.

Grants are announced. Applicants will be notified of the status of their application via a letter. 

API Recipient Requirements:

Reports:

A final report will be due by on the last day of the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded. The report will detail the achievements of the project.  A final report form can be found here. 

Financial Management:

The recipient of the API Grant will serve as Financial Manager of the Fund/Org created in Banner (this is also known as a FOAPAL).

API Grant funds must be expended in accordance with Business Office deadlines during the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded.

Budgetary Guidelines:

• Travel: The applicant must show that the proposed activity requires travel to the destination specified.
• Student help: Wages must be appropriate to the task, as defined by EIU classifications.
• Equipment:  The applicant must show that the equipment is needed for the proposed activity and is otherwise unavailable.  Equipment purchased with the funding is the property of the university.
• Commodities
• Contractual Services
• Summer salary
• Other: The applicant must show how this some other type of expense is required to make the API-funded project viable.

API grants may not be used for any of the following:

• Campus student service-based activities
• Programs focused solely on mentoring students
• Research and creative activity projects with limited potential to increase EIU enrollment and student interest
• Projects with small prospects for bringing external distinction to EIU
• Equipment needs based solely on research activity