PS-10.A.24 - University Faculty Development Award Program

3.1.1. To qualify for internal funding through the FDA Program, a faculty member must submit a completed Faculty Development Award Proposal Application through the designated online application system. The link to the online application system will be shared with faculty every September when the official call for proposals is sent out.

3.2.1. Eligible proposals for the FDA Program must fall within the definition presented in section 2.1. Faculty Development does not include the execution of a research, scholarly, or creative project.

3.2.2. To qualify for internal funding through the FDA Program, each proposal will be evaluated using criteria listed on the Exhibit A: Faculty Development Committee Criteria for Evaluating Proposals. The criteria may be modified at the judgment and discretion of the University FDA Committee. The criteria that will be used to score proposals in a given funding cycle will be made available to faculty at the time the Request for Proposals and link to the online FDA Request Form documents are sent to faculty and staff who are eligible for the award.

3.2.3. The University FDA Committee that evaluates and scores submitted proposals will consider only proposals that clearly meet the definition in Section 2.1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate that the proposed activities meet this definition.

3.3.1. Expenses connected with student support, faculty compensation, and faculty release time are not supported by Faculty Development Awards.

3.3.2. For proposals that request funds for domestic conference travel, awards may only be granted where the applicant is unable to obtain full funding from other sources (including department travel budgets). The applicant should note in the submitted documentation that the funds requested from FDA for domestic conference travel are not available from the applicant’s department. This restriction is not applicable to FDA requests for international conference travel funds.

3.3.3. Funding requests to advance and improve curriculum through the purchase of equipment or supplies, guest speakers, and software should be made only when funds are unavailable from other sources (including department budgets).

3.3.4. Proposals which request the direct support of research, scholarly, or creative activities should be submitted to the Organized Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) program. This restriction is not applicable to FDA request for professional development to enhance knowledge, skills, and agency to develop and eventually execute a research, scholarship, or creative agenda.

3.4.1. To be eligible for FDA funding, the applicant must be a full–time faculty member or a professional librarian at the time the proposal is submitted and the activities of the proposal will be implemented.

3.4.2. FDA funds are discontinued with the termination of the awardee’s employment at the University.

3.4.3. Current members of the University FDA Committee are not eligible to apply for funding through the FDA program.

3.4.4. Applicants must be in good standing with the university at the time of funding.

3.5.1. Department FDA Committees: Each academic department from which an FDA proposal originates must assemble a Department FDA Committee. The committee is appointed by the department chair. The committee to the extent possible should represent a range of disciplines from which proposals may be submitted. The purpose of the Department FDA Committee is to: a) engage in a review of proposals to ensure there is connection between each proposal’s activity and the stated objectives of the FDA program; and b) to offer feedback in time for resubmission to the department committee prior to submission to the University FDA Committee. The Department FDA committee makes a recommendation on a proposal (via the online application system) but does not serve to render a decision of whether or not an application moves forward for review by the University FDA Committee. Recommendations and any comments made as part of the recommendation will be shared with the University FDA committee.

3.5.2. The Department Chair and Dean: The Department Chair and Dean make a recommendation on a proposal (via the online application system) but do not render a decision of whether or not an application moves forward for review by the University FDA Committee.

3.5.3. University FDA Committee: The University FDA Committee consists of two tenured or tenure-track faculty representatives from each college, up to one lecturer from each of the four colleges, and one eligible staff member from the University library. Lecturers may choose whether to accept an invitation to serve on the University FDA Committee with consideration of the terms of their appointment. Committee members will be appointed by the college deans in consultation with department chairs. Members of the University FDA Committee will serve two–year staggered terms. The AVP–FAFD will convene the committee, provide instructions and an overview of pertinent operating parameters, provide administrative support, and oversee the election of a committee chair. Review by the University FDA Committee will be based on the criteria set forth in Exhibit A: Faculty Development Committee Criteria for Evaluation Proposals.

3.6.1. The University FDA Committee may suggest that an FDA recipient be granted an amount greater or less than the original amount requested by the applicant. There are no limits on suggesting a lower award than originally proposed.

3.6.2. Use of FDA funds must comply with all regulations of the University of Houston System, UHD, the state, and the federal government.

3.6.3. Proposed activities requiring city, state, or federal permits must provide copies of the required permits to the AVP-FAFD before funds will be allocated.

3.6.4. No single award may be greater than 10% of the FDA funds available in that year.

3.6.5. Funds awarded for designated uses (for example, the purchase of software) may not be re–budgeted into another category unless approved in advance by the AVP-FAFD.

3.6.6. All expenditures from faculty FDA accounts must be approved by the faculty member, department business administrator, and the college business administrator.

3.6.7. All FDA funds awarded to a faculty member must be expended within three long semesters from the date of notification of the award. Unexpended funds at the end of this period will be returned to the University. Requests for no-cost-extensions to FDA awards should be directed to the AVP-FAFD.

3.6.8. If the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost determines any modifications to the recommendations need to be made, they will consult the University FDA Committee.