EMERGE Grants for Research & Teaching

Research & Sponsored Programs (RSP) and the Center for Teaching & Learning (CTL) are delighted to collaborate to offer EMERGE (Exploring Methods of Education & Research to Grow & Excel) Grants for Research and Teaching.

These mini-grants encourage a culture of innovation and creativity in research and teaching endeavors by providing readily accessible funds for emergent or unexpected opportunities. Parallel tracks for research and teaching highlight Sacred Heart University's ongoing commitment to excellence in both teaching and research.

EMERGE mini-grants are funded by the CTL and RSP to demonstrate our partnership with instructors and researchers as they explore innovations in teaching that promote equity and excellence, and advance knowledge through rigorous scholarly exploration and meaningful contributions to the global community.

Research EMERGE Grants provide faculty and staff with up to $1,000 to offset the cost of research expenses for small projects, pilot studies or other research initiatives, when other sources of funding are not available. All SHU faculty and staff* are eligible to apply and may receive Research EMERGE funding once per academic year. Sample allowable expenses include student research assistance, data collection/purchase, transcription services, research-related travel, publication costs (including open access fees), participant support costs, materials, and supplies. This mini-grant is funded by Research & Sponsored Programs to demonstrate that the university is a partner in growing the research enterprise.

Teaching EMERGE Grants provide instructors with up to $500 to support innovations to current teaching practice, when other sources of funding are not available. All SHU faculty and staff with university teaching roles are eligible to apply* and may receive Teaching EMERGE funding once per academic year. Sample eligible expenses include classroom supplies, fees and expenses for field trips or in-class projects, honoraria for classroom guest speakers, and teaching software technologies if pre-approved by IT. This mini-grant is funded by the Center for Teaching & Learning to demonstrate its partnership with instructors in exploring innovations in teaching that promote equity and excellence.

**Refer to specific eligibility requirements for adjunct instructors in below table.

	Research EMERGE Grants	Teaching EMERGE Grants
Purpose	To support research through small projects, pilot studies or other initiatives, when other sources of funding are not available.	To support innovations to current teaching practice, when other sources of funding are not available.
Eligibility	All SHU faculty and staff who are engaged in research activity. Adjunct faculty applicants must have been employed at SHU for at least one year at the date of application. Adjunct applicants must currently be teaching a course at SHU and should have a reasonable expectation of continued service to the University.	All SHU faculty and staff who have University teaching roles. Adjunct faculty applicants must have been employed at SHU for at least one year at the date of application. Adjunct applicants must currently be teaching a course at SHU and should have a reasonable expectation of continued service to the University.
Timeline	Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive a funding decision within 2-3 weeks.	Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will receive a funding decision within 2-3 weeks. Please note: EMERGE Teaching Grant application review will be paused from June 1-July 31. Application review will begin again on August 1.
Funding Request	$1,000 maximum once per academic year	$500 maximum once per academic year
Budget: Sample Allowable Expenses	Student research assistance, research-related travel, participant support costs, materials and supplies, publication costs (including open access fees), data collection/purchase, transcription services, etc.	Classroom supplies, fees and expenses for field trips or in-class projects, honoraria for classroom guest speakers, and teaching software technologies if pre-approved by IT.
Budget: Technology Expenses	All technology requests must be pre-approved by IT and purchased directly through IT upon award.	All technology requests must be pre-approved by IT and purchased directly through IT upon award.
Budget: Not Allowed	Stipends for SHU faculty & staff	Stipends for SHU faculty & staff
Funding Availability	Funding is available until the allotted funds for each year have been exhausted. Funding for the following fiscal year will be based on demand in the current fiscal year and future budget availability.	Funding is available until the allotted funds for each year have been exhausted. Funding for the following fiscal year will be based on demand in the current fiscal year and future budget availability.
Project Period	Expenditures must be completed within 6 months from date of award.	Expenditures must be completed within 6 months from date of award.
Reporting Requirements	EMERGE Grantees will be expected to complete a brief impact report at the end of their project period and may be invited to share their project through other CTL and RSP opportunities. Completion of the impact report is required for future funding eligibility.	EMERGE Grantees will be expected to complete a brief impact report at the end of their project period and may be invited to share their project through other CTL and RSP opportunities. Completion of the impact report is required for future funding eligibility.
Questions?	Contact RSP@sacredheart.edu	Contact CTL@sacredheart.edu

How to Apply

EMERGE Teaching Grants

Complete the EMERGE Teaching Grant Application form

Project Title
Acknowledgement of Chair/Dean approval and attestation that other funding is not available. Provide Chair/Dean email for routing purposes
Course # and Title
Course level (Undergrad/Grad/Mixed)
Course format (In-person, Online, Hybrid)
Describe the proposed project and how it will engage all of your students in active, reflective learning (max 600 words)
Describe how the proposed project will help students achieve one or more course learning goals or objectives (max 600 words)
Describe how you will determine whether the proposed project has had the intended impact on student learning, including what evidence you will observe and collect (max 600 words)
Describe how you will ensure the proposed project is equitable and accessible for all students in your course (max 600 words)
What is the total requested funding amount (up to $500)?
How many items are in your budget?
Upload an itemized budget
Does your proposal include the purchase of technology?
- If yes, identify staff member from IT who pre-approved the technology purchase
Share additional information or feedback

EMERGE Research Grants

Complete the EMERGE Research Grant Application form

Collaborators (If your project includes internal collaborators, list them here. Note: Lead applicant/PI will be responsible for expenditures and reporting)
Other Funding Sources (By submitting this application, I confirm that I have discussed the proposed project and financial need with my department chair or dean. Other funding sources are not available at this time. The department chair or dean with whom I discussed this project/need is)
Previous EMERGE Research Funding (Have you been awarded any EMERGE Research grants in the past? Reminder, applicants may only receive one EMERGE Research award per academic year)
Project Title
Project Overview (max 500 words)
Significance & Broader Impact (max 500 words)
Timeline (max 500 words)
Dissemination Plan (max 500 words)
Funding Request
What is the total requested funding amount (Not to exceed $1,000)
Student wages request & Justification
Travel request & Justification
Materials & supplies request & Justification
Publication costs request & Justification
Consultant services request & Justification
Technology request & Justification
Other request & Justification
Additional information
Approvals (from dept chair and dean)