Innovations Funding: Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE INNOVATIONS FUNDS TO BE USED FOR?
The Academy intends that a large portion of its Innovations Funding will be used for the purchase of faculty effort away from other obligations to guide new program development. This funding is therefore not intended to primarily support faculty direct teaching time. Proposals are significantly strengthened by an indication that the faculty members other activity will decrease to account for project development activities, and by evidence that this adjustment is agreeable to the department chair. Faculty support, for proposals requiring faculty "away time", is typically up to 10% of a FTE salary. Projects may have funds budgeted for supplies and other support, as needed.

WHAT ARE THE BUDGETARY LIMITS FOR A PARTICULAR PROJECT? ARE THERE BUDGET ITEMS THAT THE ACADEMY WILL NOT FUND?
Although there is no specific budgetary limit on any given project, the Academy will strive to fund the largest number of worthwhile projects possible (both large and small projects), therefore many funded projects will be in a modestly-budgeted range. Awarded projects to date have ranged from a budget of $3,000 to approximately $30,000. Contained within these budgets is the key "purchase of faculty effort", which has represented up to 10% of a faculty member's salary (0.1 FTE). In addition, the Academy does not fund capital equipment such as computer hardware, food, travel, or excessive office expenses.

WHAT IS THE TIME LIMIT ON AN INNOVATIONS PROJECT?
Consistent with the ideal to develop curricular innovations, the Academy generally funds a project for one year to get the curricular innovation "off the ground", with the expectation that, if successful, the new curriculum element will be sustained in some other fashion. Proposals are strengthened considerably by the inclusion of an explicit plan for the continuation of successful innovations at the end of Academy funding.

WHAT IS EXPECTED IF A PROJECT IS FUNDED?
The Haile T. Debas Academy of Medical Educators is keen on measuring and documenting the efficacy and outcome of its funded projects, and expects project reports at 6 months, 12 months (completion) and 24 months. It is also expected that the project be prepared for display at the annual UCSF Education Day. In order to foster recognition of the Innovations Funding program, we request acknowledgment of our support on scholarly presentations, papers, posters, and delivery of teaching programs developed with our support. The Academy would also strongly encourage the submission of the curricular innovation to a peer-reviewed journal.

Toward this end, a Scholarship Clinic is available to proposal authors for review of the education-related aspects of funding proposals during the conceptualization and/or development stages. These requests should be made by Friday, October 9, 2009 to allow adequate time for review. Contact Christine Khuu in the Academy office to request a Scholarship Clinic consultation (514-2282; khuuc@medsch.ucsf.edu).

IF A PROJECT IS NOT FUNDED BY THE ACADEMY, WHAT ARE OTHER FUNDING OPTIONS?
If a particular project is not funded, the Innovations Funding Committee will attempt to make recommendations for alternative sources for funding, if possible. Center for Instructional Technology (CIT) grants are available through the library http://cit.ucsf.edu/grants. The Faculty Educational Research Grants Program offers UCSF School of Medicine faculty grants to conduct educational research projects. More information at: www.medschool.ucsf.edu/edresearch/grants/FERG.aspx.

WHAT KINDS OF PROJECTS DOES THE ACADEMY NOT FUND?
The Academy is interested in new program development, so does not fund:

  • Projects that look to sustain educational activity already taking place at UCSF
  • Programs that are not closely linked to the improvement of the education of UCSF medical students

Questions? Please contact Christine Khuu via phone (514-2282) or email.