The Educational Development Initiative Team (EDIT), a subcommittee of the College Senate’s Committee on Professional Development, administers the Professional Development Grant Program. The team, established during the 1991-92 academic year, is made up of college faculty and staff. The funding for the program is made possible through the Office of the President.

The Professional Development Grants provide support for LaGuardia faculty and staff to aid them in their professional development or in designing and implementing projects that will help improve some aspect of college life.

Projects may address any area, discipline, or program at LaGuardia. Projects may

• support the piloting of new and innovative approaches in teaching and collecting data about learning
• develop or purchase new curricular materials
• support individual or group research
• support specialized training activities
• support college-wide cultural activities (a lunch time concert, an art exhibit)
• evaluate the effectiveness of past program activities
• contribute toward expenses for making presentations away from the college
• address particular problems of students with special needs This list should not, however, limit ideas for possible projects in areas not specifically mentioned. Visit the LaGuardia website to read about the college’s strategic planning as you develop your project.

All members of the LaGuardia faculty and staff are eligible to submit proposals. This includes part-time members who have been at LaGuardia for at least two years of continuous service—September through June.

Generally, grants will range between $200 and $500 (more under special circumstances). All budget requests must contain a specific itemized list of expenditures with documentation. Subject to availability of funds, exceptional proposals for larger amounts will be considered. Funds may not be used to pay for overtime salary or for any additional compensation to full-time LaGuardia faculty or staff participating in the project. Funds may not be used to purchase clothing or equipment; to pay for instruction or tutoring; to provide food or services generally available at the college such as mailing, photocopying, or typing; nor can funds be used for programs/services mandated by the college or university. All other budget item requests will be considered including, but not limited to, curricular innovation costs, lecturer/consultant fees, some limited printing and supplies not generally available at the college.

Projects that propose the use of videotaping and editing services must submit a written approval sheet signed by the Director of Media Services along with this application; this approval sheet can be obtained from Media Services.

In order to aid in ease of completion, the application may be reproduced using a word processing program (be sure to reproduce all headings).

• Font size for applicant responses on the application must be 10 point or larger. • All margins must be at least one-inch on all sides.
• Please double space and do not exceed two pages for any response.
• Sorry, we cannot guarantee applications which do not meet these minimum guidelines will be read.
• Applications are available on diskette at the following location: The Technology Learning Center (E-256/Ext 5499) ON LINE APPLICATION AVAILABLE AT http://faculty.lagcc.cuny.edu/editor on the college homepage.

Please submit three (3) of completed grant applications to Marcia Glick, Communication Skills Department E115, or leave the completed application with secretary, by 5 p.m. on the following dates:

• Fall I applications MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2004
• Spring I applications TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 2005

Projects may extend through January 31, 2005. All monies must be disbursed by December 31, 2005.

EDIT committee members will review the proposals. Preference will be given to applicants who have not received funding in the past two years. In the proposal evaluation process, reviewers will consider such factors as

• The positive contribution the project will make to the college community
• If the project is a new or repeat initiative
• The significance of the project to the academic discipline
• The significance of the project to the applicant’s professional development
• The benefits to those who will participate in the project
• The potential for success
• How innovative the project is
• The project’s effectiveness
• The population the project will serve
• Other funding sources investigated
• If the project’s materials will be available to as broad a population as possible within the college.

Decisions will be announced during the Fall I and Spring I semester, 2004-2005.