The primary goal of the Fund for Academic Excellence (FFAE) grant program is to promote and foster continued excellence in the University’s academic programs and activities. In addition, the FFAE supports the goal of increasing faculty success in the pursuit of external support for research and related scholarly activities. The program is open to all full-time faculty members. All proposals submitted for consideration must have the ultimate objective of improving teaching and student learning outcomes at Howard University. This objective can be accomplished through projects that are designed to strengthen and enhance instruction, curricula, scholarly expertise, performance and creative expression, student research capability and academic management. Faculty members may apply for proposal funding in two major categories—Category A: Educational Projects and Travel or Category B: Entrepreneurial Education Projects and Travel.

Priority for New Applicants
Priority will be given to proposals submitted by faculty members who have not previously been awarded a Fund for Academic Excellence grant during the previous cycles of this program.

Prohibition of Stipends for Applicants
Stipends for applicants and co-applicants are not considered under this program.

Review Criteria
All applications will be evaluated on the quality of the rationale, purpose, objectives, the work plan, the proposed evaluation methodology, and reasonableness of the budget. Application Review Process: An advisory review panel of faculty and academic administrators will review all proposals, and funding recommendations will be submitted to the Provost for final consideration. Decisions will be announced during the spring 2009 semester. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to the Office of the Provost at (202) 806-2550.

Mandatory Orientation for Grant Recipients
Recipients of grant proposals selected for award are required to participate in a mandatory orientation session conducted by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Compliance. Failure to attend the mandatory orientation session for policies, requirements and authorization for use of grant funds will result in forfeiture of grant award funds. A schedule of orientation sessions will be announced at the time of grant award.

Reporting Requirements
Awardees are required to submit an interim report during the execution of their project and a final report at the completion of project activities. The interim report should provide a succinct and accurate summary of implementation activities, and the extent to which the project’s goals and objectives have been achieved at the time of the report’s submission. The final report should contain a comprehensive and concise synopsis of the project’s goals, the extent to which the goals were achieved, evaluation results, and the project’s impact on teaching and learning activities at the University. Both the interim and final reports should be submitted to the Office of the Provost. The date for submitting these reports will be provided during the orientation sessions conducted by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Compliance. The due date is typically one semester following the closing date of a given grant proposal period.

Travel Regulations
All faculty member travel must adhere to the Howard University Travel Regulations authorized by the Office of the Controller. All funded grants recipients must utilize and expend allotted funds during the approved grant period, unused grant funds will be forfeited thereafter. Travel to international destinations must receive all required University travel authorizations, prior to the travel being initiated. Absence from campus while on travel must receive official administrative approval at the school/college level. An FFAE travel grant or project grant award which includes a travel component does not constitute administrative approval to engage in domestic or international travel.