Faculty Development Fund
The Faculty Development Fund is available to faculty members. All types of faculty are eligible and encouraged to apply for the Faculty Development Fund including adjunct, non-tenure track, tenure track, tenured, program specialists, and faculty teaching at our partner institutions. Applications are submitted in Workday Workflow and are accepted quarterly.
Please read the Definition, Criteria, and Procedures below. Review the instructions and sample form prior to submitting an application for funding. Viewing the how-to video is recommended.
Understanding the Fund and Submitting a Quality Application fall 2022 presentation
Note - Recording is prior to 2023 limit increase and form edits (#4 goals split out, faculty dev plan removed).
Instructions | Completed Application Example (example with 23/24 edits coming soon)
Application Form (TigerNet ID required)
Definition
Faculty development is defined as any activity that encourages faculty to acquire knowledge, skills, techniques, and attitudes to provide quality teaching and develop research/scholarly/creative activity and effective service at Fort Hays State University. Development is viewed as a process that is systematic and carefully planned. The plan is to be tailored to the individual and the individual's contribution to the Department, the College, and the University.
Criteria
1. Proposals must be submitted electronically and will be initially screened based on the following criteria:
a) consistency with department, college, and university goals, priorities and mission statements;
b) clear delineation of benefits to the individual and the discipline;
c) clear delineation of benefits to the university.
Each proposal must address at a minimum the preceding three criteria.
2. Upon completion of the initial screening, the committee will identify topics/proposals of special interest which go beyond simple travel requests, including:
a) exploration of ideas, initiatives or activities outside the applicant's discipline or job area;
b) creative pedagogical or curricular enhancements which improve or develop the applicant's ability to deliver traditional or virtual learning experiences to students;
3. Final evaluation will focus on ranking the remaining proposals by employing the following criteria in no specific order of importance with the exception of letter a:
a) soundness and internal coherence of the applicant's written statement;
b) presentation of scholarly work or creative projects;
c) faculty seeking tenure;
d) tenured faculty seeking promotion, renewal or movement into new disciplinary areas;
e) extenuating need linked to travel, scarcity of the development activity and membership in departments/units with small OOE budgets;
f) effort by the applicant to seek external funding
g) monies provided by the department and/or college as an indication of chair/dean support;
h) other extenuating factors not necessarily defined in the proposal.
Procedures
1. Complete the application using the space provided and include all requested information. Pay special attention to the following:
a) If more than one individual is requesting support for the same activity, clearly indicate how costs will be shared.
b) Accuracy and completeness of application is considered. Be sure to include dates and location.
2. It is the responsibility of the faculty to forward the electronic application form through the approval process prior to the deadline. Application arrival to the Provost prior to travel is recommended.
3. As of fall 2023, there is a $1,500 limit* per person per year with the exception of faculty who are presenting, in which case the limit is $1,700*. This is cumulative over an academic year. Travel internationally may be eligible for an additional $500. Funds must be used within 12 months of date awarded for purpose stated on application. Funds not used within 12 months time period, will be returned to the faculty development fund.
*Normally, adjunct faculty who have been employed for 6 semesters are eligible for up to $800 of faculty development funds per person per year with the exception of faculty who are presenting, in which case the limit is $1000.
4. Faculty development applicants will not receive funding for the same development project twice, with the exception of higher cost events in the next academic year. Contact the Provost's Office regarding the bank roll over option.
5. Applications from applicants on leave from the university will not be considered.
Due Dates
The Faculty Development Funding Committee will review applications twice per semester during the regular academic year. If approved, funding will be provided for a portion of the expenses. The deadline dates, including chair and dean approval, are September 20, November 1, February 1, and April 1. If the deadline date falls on a weekend or holiday, the applications are due the first working day after the weekend or holiday.