The Small Grants Program

The Tuscaloosa Consortium for Higher Education (TCHE), a collaboration of Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, and The University of Alabama, invites applications from faculty, staff, and students of the three institutions for small grants to support research, educational, cultural, and public service projects.

What is the purpose of the Small Grants Program?
The Small Grants Program is one of TCHE's primary methods of promoting cooperation. The Small Grants Program will help support cooperative projects by the member institutions' faculty, staff, and students.

Who is eligible to apply for a TCHE small grant?
Faculty, staff, and students of Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, and The University of Alabama are all eligible to apply. However, every proposal must include participants from at least two of the institutions. For example, students from one institution may join with faculty at another institution, or staff from one institution and faculty from another can work together on a single grant proposal. Grants of seed money to be used to seek additional funding will be strongly encouraged, as will proposals seeking partial support for projects that will also receive funds from other sources.

What kinds of projects will be considered for awards?
Eligible projects for TCHE grants can include curriculum development, research, public service, and educational or cultural activities. Priority will be given to projects that will have a demonstrable positive impact on the Tuscaloosa community and/or will promote cooperation between TCHE members. Applicants who intend to seek additional funding from other sources will also be given priority.

How may grants funds be used?
Grant funds could be used to support research and travel expenses; to bring outside scholars, artists, or speakers to Tuscaloosa; or to pay expenses associated with a range of community or cultural activities. The grants are not intended to cover salary support for grantees.

Exactly how small are the grants?
They are big enough to make a difference. The maximum grant awarded in this program will be $2,500; however, grant proposals for smaller amounts are encouraged.

What are the deadlines?
Grants will be awarded on a quarterly basis. The deadlines for applications are September 15, December 15, March 15, June 15.

How does one submit a proposal?
There is no set application form. Applications should be typed, double spaced, and no more than five pages in length. Each application should provide a brief description of the purpose of the project, a discussion of plans for how the project would be conducted, qualifications of the participants, and a budget. The proposal should also describe the anticipated outcomes of the proposed project, both for the participants as well as for the member institutions and the larger Tuscaloosa community. Priority will be given to grants that have demonstrated positive impact on the Tuscaloosa community.

APPLICATION FORM (Adobe Acrobat.pdf)

Send applications to be received by the deadline dates to:

The Tuscaloosa Consortium for Higher Education
The University of Alabama
Office of the Vice President for Community Affairs
Box 870113
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0100
Contact: Samory Pruitt
Telephone: 205/348-8376
Email: samory.pruitt@ua.edu

Please direct questions and inquiries to the above address