INTELLECTUAL THEMES INITIATIVE Call for Proposals Academic Year 2018/19
CEU academic staff members are invited to submit project proposals for new teaching, research, or civic engagement activities under the Intellectual Themes Initiative (ITI). At the suggestion of the Strategic Development Committee, ITI also serves as a privileged vehicle for developing and offering University-wide Courses (UWC). Starting with this call, we are introducing a separate application form for University-wide Courses.
A full description of the Initiative, its motivations and goals, as well as the presentation of individual themes and ongoing projects, is available at https://www.ceu.edu/iti
1. Deadline and application form
The deadline for submitting proposals for joint ITI projects or courses starting in the academic year 2018/19 is April 3, 2018.
There are separate application forms for ITI projects and University-wide Courses, which can be downloaded from https://www.ceu.edu/iti/calls-proposals
2. Who can apply?
In the case of ITI projects, it is required that each application be submitted by at least three resident academic staff members from at least two different academic units of the University (i.e. schools and departments, research units, or academic support units) or by two resident academic staff members and one visiting/non-CEU academic staff from two different academic units. Involvement of students, especially PhD student and post-doctoral fellows is strongly encouraged. Participation of external partners is welcome.
In the case of University-wide Courses, applications should be submitted by a minimum of two resident academic staff members from at least two different academic units (i.e. schools and departments, research units, or academic support units) of the University. Although all applicants are supposed to participate in the design and teaching of the course, one person (Course Leader) is expected to attend each session to ensure continuity in course delivery. As such, course leaders are entitled to the full credit load of the course. Additional teaching staff can claim teaching credits proportional to their involvement in course delivery (a minimum of 0.5 credits can be claimed for 300 hours of teaching).
3. What types of projects are eligible?
All types of projects are eligible if they correspond with the objectives of the Initiative and address one of the themes. Only innovative, interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, or trans-disciplinary proposals will be considered, as outlined in the description of the Initiative. ITI projects can encompass activities in the area of teaching and learning, research, outreach and civic engagement. Innovative projects aligned with the objectives of the Initiative are encouraged, even when they do not correspond strictly with any single traditional type of area of activity of universities. There will be no quota for research, teaching, or outreach activities.
University-wide Courses represent a new model of teaching that CEU is eager to develop as part of its strategic priorities. In particular, applications are welcome in the areas of:
• Research Methods
• Open Society
ITI is envisioned primarily to support standalone projects that will strengthen CEU's academic profile and interdisciplinary and cross-unit collaboration. When projects are linked to other ongoing or future projects, this can be clearly indicated in the application. However, ITI projects should not be conceived only as bridges to other activities or preparatory phases of other projects.
4. How will project proposals be evaluated?
Submitted applications will be evaluated by a selection committee appointed by the Rector in consultation with the Provost and chaired by an external academic. The committee is comprised of faculty members from CEU who are not submitting proposals themselves.
The following criteria will be taken into account when evaluating submitted proposals for ITI projects:
a. Relevance of the project to the objectives of the Initiative and a clearly articulated connection to the individual theme under which it is submitted (as outlined in Annex 1). Proposals must provide clear indication about how they would contribute towards the overall goals of the initiative including:
- help to bring together various parts of the University;
- promote innovative work, along the lines of the four theme descriptions;
- promote interdisciplinary, cross-disciplinary, or trans-disciplinary work;
- build on existing strengths of the University while making possible significant new contributions and added value;
- help to better project CEU externally
b. Impact - Priority will be given to projects with high impact potential that are expected to have a significant influence of intellectual, professional, educational, or social nature, going beyond activities with only ephemeral expected results.
c. Feasibility - The submitted proposals will be assessed for their feasibility. This criterion includes the selected method for the realization of the project, a reasonable work plan, and appropriate budget.
The following criteria will be taken into account when evaluating submitted proposals for University-wide Courses:
a. Quality of the partnership, with a special emphasis being placed on unique but complementary character of cooperation between participating academic units and faculty members. Proposals have to warrant the involvement of different faculty members and teaching assistants.
b. Originality of the proposed course topic and teaching method, including the importance of the specified learning outcomes for CEU students.
4. What is the available amount of funding?
An initial budget of EUR 100,000 per year and per theme (a total of EUR 400,000 per year) has been allocated to the Initiative. All expenses directly related to the projects are eligible, considering that they are realistic and in line with the expected results. This excludes salaries for personnel who are already in a contractual relationship with CEU1. There is no limitation on the amount that could be requested for ITI projects. Projects with matching funding or co-funding are also welcome.
In the case of proposals for UWCs, funds are available for hiring teaching assistants (if justified), inviting guest lecturers, and acquiring relevant teaching materials.
5. What is the eligible duration of individual projects?
The Initiative is envisaged to provide flexibility in all respects, including with regard to the duration of the projects. Therefore, projects can be short-term, featuring a one-off event (like conferences and workshops) as long as they are truly collaborative and meet all the criteria set by the Initiative. Longer-term projects (such as development of new courses or joint research projects or other initiatives) can run up to four years - with a possibility of continuation depending on the institutional evaluation of the entire Initiative.
6. Application process
All applicants should use the appropriate application forms here https://www.ceu.edu/iti/calls-proposals. Applications need to be submitted electronically to iti@ceu.edu before the set deadlines (see first heading).
In order to facilitate the development of project proposals, applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of the Provost at any time. To inquire about the consultation process, please send an email to: iti@ceu.edu
