Funding Available for Innovative Education Projects and Programs

Sep 16 2019
By B. Rose Kelly
Source Woodrow Wilson School

A fund offered through Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs will support creative, interdisciplinary research projects, and programs addressing important issues in education.

In the second year of this award, the Overdeck Education Innovation Fund will award up to $350,000 for multiple faculty and student research projects and/or programs on education. Priority will be given to proposals that are cross-disciplinary.

For the 2019-20 academic year, two levels of grant support are available: Grants of $5,000 or less, and grants above $5,000.

Preference also will be given to proposals that align with one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Early impact: with the goal of exploring how best to support parents and caregivers in fulfilling their essential role in their children’s development;
     
  • Exceptional educators: with the goal of increasing the preparation and development of teachers who are more likely to be ready on day one and stay engaged in the teaching profession for many years;
     
  • Innovative schools: with the goal of discovering core elements of successful school models and supporting innovation so these models can be replicated elsewhere;
     
  • Inspired minds: with the goal of ensuring that all students are stimulated and challenged both in and out of school, as well as identifying and encouraging the potential of future innovators.

“Advancing research in education is a top priority for the Wilson School, which is why we’re honored to continue to partner with the Overdeck Education Innovation Fund to help fund our Princeton scholars,” said Cecilia Rouse, dean of the Wilson School, the Lawrence and Shirley Katzman and Lewis and Anna Ernst Professor in the Economics of Education and professor of economics and public affairs.

Individual faculty members, Princeton students or groups of faculty or students may submit proposals. All student submissions must include a Princeton faculty member as principal investigator or adviser.

Given the importance of academic programming, faculty members are urged to discuss their ideas with relevant chairs, deans, and directors at the early stages of planning. Proposals that focus on all aspects of the “research continuum” from planning grants to data collection and analysis, or those linked to innovative pedagogy and program implementation, are welcome.

All proposals should include a letter of intent no more than two pages long and a detailed budget. Grant proposals for over $5,000 are due by Nov. 11 and will be considered once per year. There is no deadline for grant proposals for under $5,000.

By Dec. 16, a faculty committee will invite selected projects to submit full proposals, which will be due Jan. 10, 2020. Full proposal guidelines will be included in the request.

All proposal materials should be submitted to Heather Evans, executive assistant to the dean, at heathere@princeton.edu. Evans can be reached by email or 609-258-3143 for letter-of-intent guidelines and other questions.

Demonstrating a passion and commitment to the future of American education, John and Laura Overdeck established the Overdeck Family Foundation in 2011. Laura graduated from Princeton University in 1991 and currently serves on the Woodrow Wilson School Advisory Council, the Board of Trustees at Princeton University and the Department of Astrophysical Sciences Advisory Council. The Overdeck Family Foundation seeks to fill children’s untapped potential by funding compelling, innovative programs and projects that have proven, quantifiable results.