Apply now for the 2024-2025 Partnered in Teaching and Learning grants!
We encourage eligible teams and individual educators to submit proposals which will advance and implement the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy. There are two grant streams, each with three grant categories. Grant applications submitted for the Digital Stream may be considered for funding through the Regular Stream, and vice-versa on the discretion of the Selection Committee.
Completed PTL Grants Application Forms (.docx download) must be submitted via this Microsoft Form by June 2, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
Digital Stream
This year, we have allocated a special funding pool to support projects which advance digital learning at McMaster.
Projects which emulate the guiding principles and align with the strategic priorities of the Digital Learning Strategic Framework are eligible for this additional pool of funding. This centralized philosophy for digital learning at McMaster is People-Centered, places Learning First, focuses on Fostering Belonging, and emphasizes Flexibility Forward. It prioritizes:
- Developing digital literacy and proficiency
- Building institutional capacity and capability
- Creating effective learning opportunities
- Advancing innovation through collaboration
General Stream
Projects which are not focused on digital learning can still apply for funding under the General Stream.
We encourage applications from educators seeking to implement innovative and evidence-based initiatives and projects which align with one or more of the following impact areas within the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy:
- Encouraging Partnered and Interdisciplinary Learning
- Supporting a Holistic and Personalized Student Experience
- Fostering Inclusive Excellence and Scholarly Teaching
- Developing Active and Flexible Learning Spaces
Frequently Asked Questions
Contractually limited appointment instructor?
Yes, so long as you will be employed at McMaster for the duration of the grant term, and your home department/unit allows you to hold grant funds in a departmental or research chartfield. If you are uncertain, please contact your department/unit administrator to confirm.
Contract staff member employed through Unifor?
Yes, so long as you will be employed at McMaster for the duration of the grant term, and your home department/unit allows you to hold grant funds in a departmental or research chartfield. If you are uncertain, please contact your department/unit administrator to confirm.
Graduate student?
No, grant recipients must be able to hold funds and supervise employees. Please partner with a staff or faculty member employed by McMaster University who can oversee funding and personnel.
Undergraduate student?
No, grant recipients must be able to hold funds and supervise employees. Please partner with a staff or faculty member employed by McMaster University who can oversee funding and personnel.
Lead applicant on another PTL grant application?
Yes, though the two projects must differ substantially.
Lead applicant on a Leadership in Teaching & Learning Fellowship Application?
Yes! But you cannot receive funding for the same project you received the LTL fellowship to support. If you apply for both and receive both, you will be asked to select one or the other.
Individual from another institution or community group?
No, grant recipients must be able to hold funds in a McMaster University chartfield and supervise McMaster employees. Please partner with a staff or faculty member employed by McMaster University who can oversee funding and personnel.
Lead applicant on another PTL grant application?
Yes!
Lead applicant on a Leadership in Teaching & Learning Fellowship Application?
Yes! But you cannot receive funding for the same project you received the LTL fellowship to support. If you apply for both and receive both, you will be asked to select one or the other.
Graduate student?
Yes!
Undergraduate student?
Yes!
Individual from another institution or community group?
Yes!
Co-applicant on another PTL grant application?
Yes!
At least three reviewers, a student, a staff member, and a faculty member, contributing knowledge from a range of disciplines and perspectives will adjudicate each application. They will use an evaluation form to assess each of the following considerations:
- Does the application contain a clear articulation of the project methods and goals?
- Is the need for the project work clear and based in evidence?
- Has the project team demonstrated clear consideration of the needs of all learners, and do they commit to accessible and sustainable practices?
- Are the project timelines specific, measurable, and realistic?
- Will the project advance the goals of the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy and / or the Digital Learning Strategic Framework?
- Does the project description demonstrate clear need for all items in the budget?
Better suited for a Seed, Grow, or Garden grant?
Complete this branching scenario via Microsoft Forms to find out!
Better suited for a PTL grant or an LTL fellowship?
Complete this branching scenario via Microsoft Forms to find out!
A research project?
According to McMaster’s Research Accounts Policy,
“Research is comprised of research activity and research related activity and definitions are as follows:
- Research Activity – The investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery or interpretation of knowledge, the systematic collection or revision of knowledge in light of new facts or theories, the development and application of methodologies to increase knowledge and the practical application of knowledge to specific problems or circumstances.
- Research Related Activity – Activities closely related to research. Examples include but are not limited to testing and evaluation; the collection and manipulation of data; writing, editing or translating; and the communication and/or discussion of research results, including the organization of meetings.”
For more details on research vs. operating activities, please see Appendix A of the Research Accounts Policy.
Going to require ethics approval?
McMaster University follows the guidelines set out by Tri Council Policy Statement 2. Scoping of research versus non-research and projects requiring research ethics approval can be found on the Government of Canada Panel on Research Ethics website.
For further clarification or decision-making, please contact MREB or HiREB via email.
Communicating effectively with reviewers?
- Remember that each application will be reviewed by a student, a staff member, and an instructor.
- Choose accessible language that can be understood by individuals from a variety of contexts
- Avoid unexplained jargon, acronyms, and concepts
- Make sure your proposal aligns with the goals of the grants program and each answer is fully relevant to the questions posed.
- Explain the “why”: what necessitates this project and how will it advance the Partnered in Teaching and Learning Strategy?
- Don’t bury the lede
- Keep your writing as clear and concise as possible
- Structure your answers in a logical manner so the main points are laid out in the beginning of the answer or paragraph(s)
Identifying clear methods to assess my project’s impact?
Consider whether any of the following types of impact assessment might apply:
- Generating novel insights which contribute to an existing knowledge base
- Contributing to a body of evidence via quantitative and/or qualitative data collection and analysis (surveys, focus groups, student feedback, average grades before and after intervention, etc.)
- Analysis of engagement and satisfaction metrics for new co-curricular programming
- Analysis of net learning gains to identify impact of interventions in a course/program
- Engaging in dissemination (i.e. publications, workshops, presentations, etc.)
- Reflections on outcomes from the partnership and project work itself (i.e. relational, learning, employability, community benefits, etc.)
Including a powerful letter of support?
Provide the following guidance for the letter writer:
- Include the project application and consider highlighting key points or outcomes that could be included in the letter
- Emphasize that the letter’s purpose is to endorse the project and provide an explanation for how the project work might be supported during and after the project year
- “Support” may include:
- Recognition that the project will benefit the department/unit/faculty
- Financial support on an ongoing basis
- In-kind financial support for the grant year
- Additional teaching assistant support
- Administrative support to hold grant funds within a department/unit/faculty chartfield
- Administrative support to hire project staff/student employees
- Commitment to supporting the grant recipient’s dissemination of their findings/outcomes with peers (i.e. department workshop/talk)
- “Support” may include:
Including bibliographic information on the form?
This year, we have a Word document instead of an MS Form! So adding references is easier. Though citations are not included in the word count, we suggest applicants use them sparingly. Reviewers are not expected to consult the references cited in the application.