The UOIT Teaching Innovation Fund (UOIT-TIF) is a fund to assist full-time continuing UOIT faculty to implement new web-centric teaching strategies, innovative instructional practices and/or to develop pioneering educational content.

The UOIT-TIF is an initiative by the Office of the Associate Provost, Academic and IT. Specifically, this fund is intended to support innovative teaching practices across the university, and to recognize that startup funds can have significant impact upon student achievement. Individual projects may be funded up to $8,000.00. This fund is NOT a research grant and should not be used for travel or equipment.

Proposals need to include:

• The Fillable PDF TIF form outlining the following:
  • Description of project (500 words)
  • The project effect on teaching and learning within the classroom and how your project benefits student achievement (200 words)
  • A description of the student cohort to which this will apply (100 words)
  • An evaluation plan to demonstrate the effectiveness of the project (500 words)
  • What network and technical resources would be required to be provided by the institution (300 words)
• Budget (including other funding sources, if applicable)
• The timeline for the project
• How the result of this project will be shared with the UOIT community

Proposals will be reviewed annually by a UOIT faculty committee comprised of five members. The proposal should be no more than 5 pages and will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• Is the proposal well aligned with the intent of the Teaching Innovation Fund? (e.g. new web-centric teaching strategies, innovative instructional practices, and/or pioneering educational content)
• Does the proposal includes a description of the project, intended target group, and benefits to students which are clear and consistent with the requirements of the Teaching Innovation Fund?
• Will the project affect a significant group of UOIT students in a course, courses among faculties, or the entire student body across the university?
• Will the project benefit classroom and/or online learning situations?
• Is there a clear evaluation plan for the effect of this work on student learning?
• Is the work schedule and budget proposed realistic?
• How will the results of this project be shared with the UOIT community?
• Is there additional funding available?

Preference will normally be given to projects that have the potential to affect the greatest number of UOIT students, and also projects that will influence both online teaching practices and lecture delivery. Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received TIF funding. The UOIT-TIF is not intended to fund professional development activities.  The fund is not intended to facilitate the purchase of capital assets, software or computer equipment but rather to assist faculty members where other funds cannot cover all costs associated with an innovative pilot projects. The fund is intended to support faculty in the development and use of new types of digital content, development and the implementation of new software packages, or one time expenses associated with new teaching practices.

The Teaching Innovation Fund supports creating new teaching materials that may be derived from the research pursuits of an academic faculty member. In such instances, the TIF takes no position in the Intellectual Property that may arise through the use of TIF funds. For more information please refer to UOIT’s policy on Intellectual Property, click here to view PDF.

Successful proposals will be announced March 29, 2013 with funds to be distributed by April 8nd 2013. Applicants will be expected to present a session upon completion of their project to all campus members at a university development event.

Please submit all proposals to Lana Pickering, Finance and Administrative Officer.
E-mail: lana.pickering@uoit.ca by March 7, 2013.

Important Dates

April 8, 2013 – TIF fund to be transferred into special TIF account.

December 16, 2013 – Progress Report to be sent to the Office of the Associate Provost, Academic and IT.

January 2, 2014 - Office of the Associate Provost, Academic and IT will be in contact with you to arrange a short videotape for the Teaching and Learning website and a 250 word submission on the project.

March 1, 2014 – Final Report to be submitted to the Office of the Associate Provost, Academic and IT.  The report needs to include an evaluation of the project, a budget update and final project wrap up.

March 15, 2014 – All funds to be spent by this date.

March 31, 2014 – TIF funds to be returned to Office of the Associate Provost, Academic and IT.

January 15, 2015 - Next call for TIF Proposals.