Earlier this year, the Tennessee Board of Regents awarded the College of Liberal Arts  one of its Access and Diversity Grants.  These grants are intended to increase the diversity of students and faculty/staff at TBR institutions.  Our grant application, prepared by Drs. Amy Sayward, Hilary Stallings, and Mark Byrnes, requested money to support tenure-track faculty in the College (a more diverse group than the tenured faculty) in their efforts to achieve tenure.  The grant award is $125,000 over three years, and the intent is to spend one-third of the money each year.

Eligibility

All tenure-track faculty in the College of Liberal Arts, regardless of race, gender, or other demographic factors, are eligible to apply. Tenured faculty, full-time temporary faculty, and adjuncts are not eligible.

Supported Activity

The money will be used to cover costs related to research.  We anticipate that most of the money will support travel to do research, travel to present research at conferences, and funding for reassigned time to enable faculty to research and write (an adjunct for a three hour course costs about $2,100).  Requests for payment of other costs related to research will also be considered.

Do note, the granting agency specifically prohibits using these funds for international travel, equipment, textbooks, library books, hardware, and/or software.

Application

Applications should be submitted in hard copy to the Dean’s office, Todd Hall 231.

• a brief description of the project, including a timeline and the expected outcome (book, article, presentation, etc.)
• the total amount requested, with specific breakdown of costs
• indication whether the project is also being supported from other sources (departmental funds, FRCAC, FLAG, indirects, etc.)
• an email or letter of endorsement from the department chair
• a copy of your CV

Review

Applications will be reviewed by a five-person committee drawn from across the college.  Decisions will be made within two weeks of each deadline.

Deadlines

For AY 2009-2010, the deadlines are September 30, November 15, February 15, and April 1.  All materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m.  The committee reserves the right to consider any time-sensitive applications that might be submitted outside of these deadlines.

Distribution of Funds

Faculty awarded grants will work with their departmental secretaries and Dr. Hilary Stallings on the paperwork required to receive the funds.

Further Information

Contact Dr. Mark Byrnes, mbyrnes@mtsu.edu, 898-2351, Todd Hall 231.