Faculty Innovation Grant (FIG)
Faculty Grants
Tri-C supports faculty innovation and encourages the experimentation and adoption of new practices and technologies in a number of ways. The College has offered the Instructional Professional Development (IPD) Grant and the Tech Mini-Grant for faculty to implement innovative strategies, techniques and technologies in their classrooms. Based on faculty feedback, these internal grants that support innovation have been redesigned to encourage a more streamlined process for faculty.
Beginning Fall 2018, the IPD and Tech Mini Grant were combined into one grant: the Faculty Innovation Grant (FIG). The FIG, which is open to all full-time faculty, part-time faculty, program managers/directors, and Workforce Innovation instructors, provides support for full-time and adjunct faculty to design and implement new tools, resources or techniques in their classrooms (or virtual classrooms) to enhance instruction and increase student learning outcomes. The amount of available funding and types of work supported remain unchanged, but applicants can now focus on the development, implementation and sharing of their instructional innovation rather than managing multiple grant applications in a single academic year. Additionally, the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation developed the Learning and Teaching Excellence Mini-Grant Program (LTE), which is available for all full-time faculty, part-time faculty and program managers who propose projects that fill a short-term need for our students and have a direct connection to the College’s Strategic Plan to promote access, equity and success.
Current Awardees
Congratulations to the faculty who were awarded the AY 2024-2025 FIG and LTE! Review the list of AY24-25 LTE Awardees.
Eligibility: All full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, program managers/directors, and Workforce Innovation instructors.
Application: The FIG Application is now open for AY 2025-2026.
You may review the electronic application for future planning. View the rubric used to evaluate grant applications.
- If you are requesting reassigned time, please indicate the number of ESUs and the associated work hour tasks per term requested using ESU noninstructional, part-time rate of $942 plus 19.7% fringe benefit. Note: ESUs will not be awarded to make your course(s) accessible. ESUs are only available for full-time contractual faculty and are awarded at the part-time rate.
Application Notes: Use Chrome to submit the proposal to ensure ease of use. Draft your application outside the browser in a text document and then copy and paste as needed. Save a copy for your records. If you do not receive confirmation of your submission within 48 hours, contact the Academic Success dean at your campus.
Timeline: AY 2025-2026
- Virtual Information Session Dates
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
- Applications Due: Monday, Oct. 13, by 5 p.m.
- School Dean and Associate Dean Review: Oct. 14 – 27
- Committee Review: Wednesday, Oct. 29 – Wednesday, Nov. 12
- Recommendation to EVP, Academic Affairs: Wednesday, Nov. 12
- Awardees Notified: Friday, Nov. 21
- Purchases Complete: by Dec. 19
- AY 2025-2026 Awards and Expenses Complete: Week of Feb. 16
- FIG Faculty Reflection Due: June 30*
Get more information about the FIG reflection.
Review process: Collegewide committee using a common rubric to evaluate the grant applications, including:
AY25-26 FIG Committee (Collegewide)
- Co-Chair, Deans of Academic Success (1)
- Co-Chair, Full-Time Faculty* (1)
- Deans of Academic Success (3)
- Full-Time Faculty* (5-6)
- Part-Time Faculty* (2)
- Adjunct Services Manager (1)
- ID&LE Team Member (1)
- Technology Liaison – ITS or Learning Commons (1)
- Admin Coordinator of DAS Co-Chair (1)
- Budget Liaison (1)
*Faculty members cannot serve on the committee if they are applying.
Questions: Contact the Academic Success deans at your campus.
- Eastern Campus: Ann Conrad
- Metropolitan Campus: Carmen Castro-Rivera
- Western Campus: Janet Spitzig
- Westshore Campus: Claire McMahon
Quotes or budget questions: Contact the administrative coordinator at your campus.
- Eastern: Gwen Jackson | Ext. 2648 | gwendolyn.jackson@tri-c.edu
- Metro: Norma Sweeney-Reeves | Ext. 4045 | norma.sweeney-reeves@tri-c.edu
- West/BUC: Kellianne Starr | Ext. 5175 | kellianne.starr@tri-c.edu
- Westshore: Deborah Troupe | Ext. 3885 | deborah.troupe@tri-c.edu
Learning and Teaching Excellence Mini Grant Program (LTE)
Description: The goal of this grant program is to support program development and enhancement and increase student support services that lead to classroom success, accelerate students' ability to demonstrate workplace preparedness and facilitate job placement and career counseling.
Uses: Short-term classroom and course-related needs, student experiential field trips and lecture series, program development and enhancement, and virtual teaching enhancement, including speakers/presentations, virtual or in-person conference fees for students.
Please Note:
- Requests for noncapital equipment will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must have a direct impact on students.
- Curriculum updates will not be considered unless all other avenues have been exhausted.
- The LTE grant program will not support laptop or tablet purchases.
Application: Applications can be submitted through our LTE online application form. A list of questions and a detailed overview of the program can be found by viewing our LTE Mini Grant Process and Questions PDF.
Application Notes: Draft your application outside the browser, using the questions as your guide, and then copy and paste as needed. Save a copy for your records. If you do not receive confirmation of your submission within 48 hours, contact Robyn Herr.
Eligibility: All full-time faculty, adjunct faculty and program managers
Timeline: Rolling applications accepted until annual funding is exhausted
Review process: A review committee will make recommendations for funding
Questions: Contact Robyn Herr
Faculty Grant Information Session: Support for FIG and LTE
Need help developing your grant proposal? This session is designed to provide an overview of both grants, the purchasing process at Tri-C and general tips for proposal writing. Register in COMPASS by searching FDEV6083. The workshop is eligible for one SEU toward the Adjunct Stipend Program or one Service Credit.
Training Dates and Times (FDEV6083 in TEC):
Virtual Information Session Dates
- Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 9 a.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.
Training Topics:
- Overview of Faculty Innovation Grant (FIG)
- Overview of Learning and Teaching Excellence (LTE) Grant
- Purchasing Technology
- Faculty Experiences and Support With FIG and LTE
- How To Write a Successful Grant Proposal
- Overview of Tri-C Foundation and Faculty-Led Grant Initiatives
Presented by:
Yvonne Askew, Director, Tri-C Foundation
Robyn Herr, Director, Tri-C Foundation
Academic Success Deans
Dr. James Jarc, Director, Faculty Professional Development
Representatives from Faculty Development and the Instructional Design Team
Information Session Video Recordings
Recordings of the information sessions will be provided after the sessions.
Previous Awardees