Call for Proposals: Learning & Teaching Enhancement and Scholarship Projects AY24-25

The LTA is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for Learning and Teaching Enhancement & Scholarship Projects. These small-scale projects are funded by Heriot-Watt University in AY24/25. Proposals should contribute to strengthening teaching and help build case studies of effective teaching and learning practice.

Proposals should focus on one of the following strategically aligned sub-themes:

• Assessment for Learning.
• Providing effective feedback to students.
• Effective global teaching team working.
• Strengthening student partnership in curriculum and assessment design and delivery.
• Inspiring student engagement in taught sessions.

As in previous years we are looking for Active Change Projects help put the Learning and Teaching Strategy into action. The projects should make a difference to the student learning experience or enhance teaching, and which have an impact on the campus, institution or wider community. You can browse completed enhancement themes projects and AY23/24 projects for inspiration.

We encourage applicants to consider projects that are global, e.g. include more than one campus, or which could be expanded to cover more than one campus.

The call is open to staff and students at Heriot-Watt University. Staff are encouraged to consider including students as partners / collaborators in their project. We are also keen to receive proposals from student-led projects.

The funds available for projects is maximum of £500 per year. Projects should be completed and funds spent by no later than 30^th June 2025.

Funds may be used for:

• Gratitude tokens for student engagement in the project.
• Employing student interns / assistants (*they should be employed via Unitemps wherever possible)
• Reasonable project consumables.
• Other small items not usually funded by the University.

The following items are not eligible for funding:

• Purchase of items which would normally be provided or funded by the University e.g. laptops
• Conference fees, travel or accommodation
• Publication fees

Please read the guidance carefully before writing your proposal.

• Explain in clear terms the idea and rationale.
• Staff should consider including students as partners – this means students are included in the project team and are an integral part of the design of the project.
• Students should consider working in partnership with staff.
• Read literature on the topic to help understand the context / background, similar studies, research methods. Use this literature to inform the development of the proposal.
• Create a detailed budget showing what the funding will be used for.
• Plan the evaluation of your project at this stage – how will you gather evidence to show impact of your project?

In addition to writing the proposal, staff who are applying should ensure that they:

1. have discussed the proposal with their Line Manager and their relevant Finance Partner and have their support to put forward the proposal,
2. are set-up and understand how to manage the project funds if they are successful,
3. have a job code from their Finance Partner which will enable the funding to be transferred to the project team, and,
4. have read the relevant HW ethics guidance and are ready to apply for ethical approval if the project requires it.

Students considering submitting a proposal on their own are encouraged to speak to one of the LTA staff – contact us at LTAcademy@hw.ac.uk.

Staff should ensure that you have discussed this project with your line manager(s) and have approval to undertake this work if successful.

Students are encouraged to discuss their proposal with the LTA prior to application.

Proposals should include:

• a rationale for the project including the basis in relevant literature,
• potential outcomes for School/Campus/discipline,
• a dissemination plan
• detailed costings (i.e. not just a lump sum figure).

Applications: To apply, please complete the L&T enhancement project Proposal Form. If you require the application form in an alternative format  please contact the LTA at LTAcademy@hw.ac.uk.

There are two deadlines for submissions – applicants should submit once, choosing the deadline which most suits their project:

• Early submissions by 9 August 2024 at 1200 UK / 1500 Dubai / 1900 Malaysia. This early deadline is for projects which want to start at the start of the academic year i.e. early September.
• Final submissions by 20 September 2024 at 1200 UK / 1500 Dubai / 1900 Malaysia. This deadline is for projects starting after the start of semester.

Successful applicants will be informed within two weeks following the proposal deadline.

Please direct any questions regarding this funding or possible projects to LTAcademy@hw.ac.uk.