Office for Learning and Teaching Grants Scheme

Information for staff intending to submit an OLT grant application in 2012

From 1 January 2012, funding for the grants, fellowships and awards that were provided by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) will be administered by the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) in the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). The Learning and Teaching Grants scheme includes five programs as outlined below.

Intending applicants should carefully consult the priorities for each program to ensure they are submitting their application in the program likely to provide the best opportunity for success.

New programs announced for 2012:
1.    Innovation and Development Grants Program – 1 March and 3 August 2012
2.    Leadership for Excellence Program – 1 March and 3 August 2012
3.    Seed Grants Program – 1 March and 3 August 2012
4.    Extension Grants Program – 2 April and 3 September 2012

It is important to note that all OLT submissions in which Deakin University is the lead institution are channelled through the Higher Education Research Group (HERG) to ensure that Deakin University submits only the highest quality applications with the greatest chance of success. HERG has a formal application and submission role (together with Deakin Research) as well as a more informal development role in assisting potential applicants with their applications.

The OLT requires that all proposals must be endorsed in writing by the PVC/DVC (Academic), or equivalent, of all collaborating/partner institutions before submission.  In addition, if you wish to buy out teaching time, an endorsement letter from your Head of School is required by the OLT. PVCs/DVCAs and HOSs require sufficient time to read and endorse applications and usually require a close to final submission to consider. The importance of a timely approach to application development cannot be overstated.

HERG also needs time to review, provide feedback and allow for redrafting and Deakin Research needs time to undertake compliance checks.  You will also need time to complete and submit additional submission documents. To ensure that appropriate reviews can take place, the following internal submission deadlines apply for all intending OLT applicants where Deakin University is the lead institution.

PLEASE NOTE: Late applications will not be accepted and applications that are deemed uncompetitive will not be approved by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning Futures).

Application process and deadlines

The OLT guidelines for programs may change in response to government and OLT priorities. Intending applicants should ensure that the topic and/or priority they propose in their application is relevant. Details of each of the OLT Learning and Teaching Grant Schemes are available at http://www.olt.gov.au/grantsandprojects. Please read operational information and application instructions as well as the relevant program documentation and assessor reports, all available at http://www.olt.gov.au.

1. Innovation and Development Competitive Grants

http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/2012InnovDevInfo1.pdf
Innovation and Development projects support research, development and innovation related to the enhancement of learning and teaching in higher education.

Program priorities

There are two rounds of applications in 2012, each addressing different priorities.

Round 1 (closing date 1 March 2012)
• Assessment and promotion of student learning
• Strategic approaches to learning and teaching which enhance student access and progression, and respond to student diversity
• Internationalisation
• Research and development

Round 2 (closing date 3 August 2012)
• Curriculum renewal
• Improving tertiary pathways
• Innovation and development in learning and teaching, including in relation to the role of new technologies
• Research and development
• Internationalisation

Applications for Seed Projects will also be accepted in this program.

2. Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching

http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/2012LeadershipInfo1.pdf

Through this program the Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) provides grants for projects that build leadership capacity in ways consistent with the promotion and enhancement of learning and teaching in contemporary higher education, and which reflect the values of excellence, inclusiveness, diversity and collaboration, and commitment to long-term, systemic change.

Program priorities

There are three priorities for funding in 2012:

1. Institutional leadership to enhance learning and teaching through leadership capacity-building at the institutional level.
2. Disciplinary and cross-disciplinary leadership to enhance learning and teaching through leadership capacity-building in discipline structures, communities of practice and cross-disciplinary networks.
3. Consolidating leadership by building on the outcomes of projects funded in earlier years under the Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching Program.

Applications for Seed Projects will also be accepted in this program.

3. Seed Projects - NEW

Seed Projects “test and evaluate an original idea” that has not already been funded by one of the OLT's predecessor organisations, or by an institution. Applications can address any of the priorities in the Innovation and Development Program, the Leadership for Excellence in Learning and Teaching Program, or any other topic. Further information is provided in each of the relevant program guidelines.

4. Extension Grants

http://www.olt.gov.au/system/files/2012ExtensionInfo1.pdf

Extension Grants are specifically to achieve the following objectives:

• Raise the profile and encourage recognition of the fundamental importance of teaching in higher education institutions and in the general community; and
• Develop effective mechanisms for the identification, development, dissemination and embedding of good individual and institutional practice, including addressing particular contextual barriers to taking on the good practice identified.

Further information

Higher Education Research Group (HERG) and Institute of Teaching & Learning (ITL) staff can assist Deakin University staff in the preparation of Office for Learning and Teaching (OLT) grants. For more information, please contact:

• Associate Professor Dale Holt (ITL) dale.holt@deakin.edu.au

In order to ensure approval of applications by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning Futures), applicants are strongly encouraged to draw on HERG expertise in:

• discussing ideas for development
• obtaining feedback on the program which may offer a greater likelihood for grant success for the idea/s
• discussing how to develop and write proposals
• obtaining assistance with securing partner institutions
• budget development
• final review of applications
• setting and/or moderating standards
• innovative models of assessment and reporting student achievement
• developments which build on completed projects funded by OLT predecessor organisations (such as the ALTC).