Application Instructions

The Center for Career and Leadership Development is pleased to announce the availability of Service-Learning Instructional Mini-Grant Awards for courses in the upcoming Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Applicants may request between $500 and $1,000 per course section for local, state-wide, or international service-learning support. 

黑料不打烊 faculty members of all career tracks (full- and part-time), staff, or teaching graduate students are eligible to receive these mini-grants. 

The purpose of Service-Learning Instructional Mini-Grants is to encourage and support faculty in engaging students with our greater community. This can be achieved through integrating community-based experiences and learning as part of course curriculum, contributing to stronger, healthier communities and civically responsible, engaged 黑料不打烊 graduates. 

Submissions from all course structures will be reviewed according to the same criteria outlined below. 
 

If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Jenna Rowlands, at jmrowlan@odu.edu or via phone at 757-683-5243. 

Please note a change in the award process this year: Award recipients will be required to purchase their requested materials and provide proof of purchase (itemized receipts and Banner documentation) in order to be reimbursed via inter-departmental transfer (IDT) from the Service-Learning Mini Grant award funds. This change is due to policies provided by the Office of Finance. Additional details will be provided to the award winners through the approval process. 

Proposal Criteria

Proposals are to be submitted .



The following information will be collected via the Qualtrics document:
 

  1. Service-Learning Project Title 

  2. Course Information 

    • Course number, name, CRN, semester term, credit hours, target student enrollment, course format (e.g., face-to-face, synchronous online, asynchronous online), and amount of funding requested 

  3. Your Contact Information 

    • Name, job title, department, academic program, campus address, email, phone 

  4. Department Information 

    • Department chair name and email, fiscal tech name and email, department/unit budget code, additional instructors involved in the course 

  5. If designing the course in collaboration with another service-learning course, please provide the Service-Learning Project Title (can be the same or different) and Faculty partner鈥檚 course information, contact information, and department information.
     

Proposals will be reviewed according to the following criteria. Please limit the proposal to the equivalent of two pages or less. We strongly encourage you to draft your proposal in a Word document and copy your submission into the online form. 
 

  1. Brief Purpose Statement: Please include the purpose of the service-learning component of the course, community needs addressed by the service-learning component, and any expected outcomes or products. Summaries will be used for news release and publicity materials, so please write them for a lay audience. (100 words or less) 

  1. Community Partner Information: Please share the following information about your intended community partner(s): 

  • Community partner name 

    • If you know the organization(s) or agency(s) you plan to work with for your service-learning project, please provide a contact name and phone number / email. If your students are choosing their own community partner, please share this information once the partner(s) is (are) selected. 

  • What needs this organization focuses on addressing in the community 

  • Your intended communication methods between the community partner and class members throughout your course 

  • A brief description of how the student service work directly relates to a community identified need and benefits the partner organization and greater community 

  1. Curriculum Connection: Briefly explain how the service project connects to your course curriculum, as well as how students will demonstrate their learning from the service project. Please be sure to highlight how you plan to assess and evaluate the service-learning component of the course. 

  1. Budget and Budget Justification: Please complete an itemized budget below for your anticipated expenses. Please be thorough, as this will provide needed details for the award selection committee. Examples of proper use of funds include: supplies for student projects, student transportation, student background checks, materials for community partner agencies for student projects, and community-based research or outreach activities connected to service-learning projects. Examples that cannot be funded: indirect costs, food (unless it鈥檚 part of the service-learning project, ex: Farm to School, nutrition education, etc.), payment to participants, supplemental faculty pay, entertainment, clothing, cash incentives, gift cards, or awards. 

    Please note a change in the award process this year: Award recipients will be required to purchase their requested materials and provide proof of purchase (itemized receipts and Banner documentation) in order to be reimbursed via inter-departmental transfer (IDT) from the Service-Learning Mini Grant award funds. This change is due to policies provided by the Office of Finance. 

    Any approved awards must spend approved funding by March 31, 2027. If your application is approved, a detailed step-by-step breakdown of the updated IDT requirements will be provided via email. Any purchases made must conform to guidelines for the use of state funds, which come directly from student activity fees. Therefore, spending must be tax exempt and directly tied to students鈥 experiences and learning. 

  1. Budget Justification: Please share 3-4 sentences justifying your anticipated spending. How will the supplies be utilized in your coursework, etc. 

  1. If funding is awarded, faculty must agree to the following:

  • Funds will be used for the described service-learning activities/project described in this proposal. 

  • Funds will be spent by the end of March for processing to occur by the end of the Fiscal Year (June 30). 

  • Funds will conform to the guidelines for the use of state funds. 

  • My department will provide quotes/receipts for any supplies or services purchased. 

  • I will distribute the 黑料不打烊 Service-Learning Student Course Evaluation in the final weeks of the term, provided by The Center for Career and Leadership Development. 

  • I will include the statement below in any project publicity as appropriate: 鈥淭his project is supported by an 黑料不打烊 Center for Career and Leadership Development Service-Learning Mini-Grant.鈥 

  • I will share feedback on the Service-Learning Mini-Grant process as requested. 


The Service-Learning Mini Grant Review Committee utilizes the following criteria to rate applications and award funding: 
 

  1. The course provides meaningful service to the community and meets actual needs.

  1. The course is coordinated in collaboration with the community partner; purposeful civic engagement exists.

  1. Service component(s) are integrated into the course curriculum.

  1. The course facilitates active and critical student reflection.

  1. Students use new skills/knowledge in real world settings.

  1. Students improve/develop vital interpersonal skills/abilities including communication, listening, empathy, problem-solving, and leadership; personal and/or professional development occur.

  1. The course improves the quality of life for the community served.