Gainesville State College and the GSC Foundation value innovation and experimentation to facilitate progress and to advance knowledge. The Innovative Staff Program offers funding for staff who desires an opportunity to try something innovative and experimental in their line of work but have not had the financial resources to do so.

 

The funding is intended to reward staff efforts towards innovation. Permanent full-time and part-time staff may submit an application to the Staff Council for a $500 stipend for the development and implementation of an innovative idea. This award will be given to selected applicants whose proposals advance institutional excellence. An appropriate proposal, for example, may resolve problems with creative solutions that result in increased efficiency and productivity. The award may cultivate new approaches to service, fresh ways to share knowledge or information, imaginative methods for enhancing quality of life on our campuses, or other inspired work that supports the College’s mission.

 

The award may be used towards the project; however, recipients should anticipate finding other sources of funding for software, materials, and travel. Other possible sources of funding include the cost centers, Student Technology Fee Committee (its instructional technology line), and other grants. This does not preclude recipients from spending the funding from this program for such items if they are unable to obtain additional funding elsewhere. The award is not renewable.

 

The Gainesville State College Foundation has provided $2,500 for this year. The Foundation budget is on a calendar year basis, thus, the funds must be dispersed by December 31 each year.

 

Full and part-time staff are eligible to receive awards through the program.

Award decisions will be made by a Staff Council sub-committee. The committee awards funding on the basis of the merit of each project rather than allocating funds by division or department.

 

March 19th each year for Summer/Fall Projects

October 16th each year for Spring Projects

 

The application form is available on the link below.  The application process requires no materials beyond the application form; therefore, the questions should be answered in such a way that the committee has a clear picture of the project, its impact, and outcome. Submit the form electronically or in hard copy to the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership. Apply for only one award each award cycle. Group projects are welcome with one application required per group. The application form requires supervisor approval, when applicable. Group projects require all appropriate signatures (i.e. immediate Supervisor, Dean, and VP). For electronically submitted applications, supervisor approval should be supplied on a follow-up hard copy.

 

Click here to download application.

 

Funds are dispersed as soon as award decisions are made by the committee rather than at the end of the project.

 

Projects funded by the Innovative Staff Program will be displayed on the program webpage maintained by the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. Campus-wide activities showcasing the projects will include: 

A summary report, prepared when the project is completed, will be submitted to the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership and forwarded to the committee.

 

Connie Esford

Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

678.717.3930