George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Learn More about SoTL Spark Grants Program
Funding to support teaching innovation projects… All you need is an idea!
What’s Included:
- Up to $2,000.00 per investigator (must be a full-time or contract faculty member or staff) to conduct a SoTL project focused on a teaching and learning research question.
- A SoTL workbook to guide faculty through the research process.
- Guidance and support from the TLX team, from research design through to data collection and analysis.
- Peer mentorship and community.
Expectations of Fund Holders:
- Attend two proposal development sessions, where you will put together your research plan with consultation and feedback from the TLX team and peers.
- Submit a draft proposal, complete any suggested revisions, and submit a final proposal.
- Apply for ethics approval for research involving human participants, where applicable.
- Share your research findings with the GBC Teaching and Learning community—either as a presentation or poster at the TLX EvolvED conference, a brief written report, video, or infographic.
Note: This is a rigorous, but non-competitive grant. All final proposals that are approved by Associate Deans; the Director, SoTL; and the Research Ethics Board are guaranteed funding.
Application Process:
- All you need is an idea for a project and a commitment to attend two 2-hour proposal development sessions.
- Talk to your Associate Dean about your idea and ask them to sign your application form.
- Email the completed form to tlx@georgebrown.ca.
Eligibility:
- All faculty (full-time and contract) and staff are eligible to apply for the fund. Students may be listed as co-investigators on the project.
- Faculty and staff may apply jointly to share a combined, larger amount for a collaborative project (up to a maximum of three people).
- The fund CANNOT support research that contributes directly to credentials (e.g., Masters or PhDs).
The Spark Grant Process:
Start with an idea. What do you want to explore? What is question or problem you want to investigate? Describe in a few sentences.
Share your idea with your Associate Dean and get their signature.
Attend two proposal development sessions, in which we will discuss SoTL research design and ethics, and further develop research plans through examples, peer review, and conversation.
Write your research plan, with support and feedback from the TLX team. Share your final research plan with your Associate Dean; the Director, SoTL; and the Research Ethics Board for approval.
Once you reach this point, you are guaranteed funding.
Complete your research project. The TLX team will support and coach where needed. Attend networking sessions throughout the process to celebrate successes with colleagues.
Share your research findings with the GBC teaching and learning community, either through a presentation or poster at the annual EvolvED conference, brief written report, video, or infographic.
Examples of Eligible Expenses*:
- Educational technology license.
- Student research assistant.
- Educational tool or equipment.
- Research participant incentives (e.g., gift cards, refreshments for focus group).
- Research software (e.g., a license to use a survey).
Examples of Ineligible Expenses:
- Meals.
- Travel.*
- Professional memberships or subscriptions.
- Computer hardware (unless specifically required as an innovation).
*This funding opportunity is intended to support research in action. Subsequent opportunities for knowledge mobilization will be available through alternative sources.
Sample Timeline for Winter Intake:
- January: Applications Due; Proposal Development Session #1
- February: Proposal Development Session #2
- March: Proposal Writing
- April: Ethics Approval Process
- Project is ready to launch in Spring / Summer or Fall.
- Project should be shared within at least one year of completing data collection.
Sample Timeline for Fall Intake:
- September: Applications Due; Proposal Development Session #1
- October: Proposal Development Session #2
- November: Proposal Writing
- December: Ethics Approval Process
- Project is ready to launch in Winter.
- Project should be shared within at least one year of completing data collection.