CPHC Learning Development Group (LDG) has organised a small-grant Special Projects scheme.
Special Project grants are focussed on the investigation and introduction of new ideas in the learning and teaching of computing. Projects are limited to a maximum of £5,000 and must provide some clear benefit to the wider UK disciplinary community. Projects may (but are not limited to) present new knowledge, develop or share a resource, or other good practice in learning, teaching, or assessment.
The application process is relatively informal. Proposal submissions will be considered twice per year, with deadlines of 30th September and 8th April. Applications must indicate the purpose of the project, how the project will be conducted, the expected outcome, start date and duration, how the project will provide benefit to the disciplinary community, a plan for sharing results, a budget and a brief justification for the budget. In addition to the specified project outcomes, successful proposers also agree to:
- Produce a brief report on their completed project for the CPHC LDG.
- Publish results in a relevant manner, for example in papers submitted the Computing Education Practice or UKICER conferences. In addition, successful projects may be invited to give a presentation or poster at the CPHC annual conference.
Application Guidelines
To apply for a Special Projects grant:
- Describe within 1,200 words a narrative (general overview) of the project for which you seek CPHC support.
- Within the 1,200 word narrative, include a project description (purpose, how the project will be conducted, expected outcome, start date and duration), how the project will provide benefit to the UK disciplinary community, the plan for sharing the results, a budget and a brief justification for the budget.
- Organize the proposal into sections with headers.
- Include references. The reference section will not count toward the 1,200 word limit.
- If this proposal was previously submitted, copies of the reviews for previous submissions must be appended to a statement of how the reviewers’ comments have been addressed. This clearly labelled section will be submitted separately and will not count toward the 1,200 word limit.
- The entire proposal, excluding references, is strictly limited to 1,200 words.
- Include sign off by your Head of Department/School.
- Complete the online Application Form.
Please note that:
- Your organisation must be a CPHC member to be eligible for a Special Project Grant.
- CPHC Committee members are not eligible to apply for a Special Project Grant.
- £5,000 is the maximum award: smaller bids are encouraged.
- No person can receive more than £10,000 in any four-year period.
- The proposal must make the case that it will benefit the wider UK disciplinary community. This benefit can be in the form of new knowledge, developing or sharing of a resource, or good practice in learning, teaching, or assessment. Proposals that do not demonstrate the broader impacts of the work beyond the proposer’s institution will not be considered for funding.
- Funds from a CPHC Special Project awards may not be used for:
- registration for, travel to, or accommodation at conferences,
- internal staff training and development (although this may be a secondary outcome)
- buying extra time for full-time permanent staff (although it is acceptable to hire student Research Assistants, existing fixed-term RAs or UG/PGR students).
- CPHC, as a voluntary organization, will pay only direct costs, not institutional overheads.
- CPHC will not normally fund more than one Special Project in any one department at any one time, therefore an invoice must have been submitted for any existing grant prior to approval of a new grant.
- Proposers may submit only one proposal per application cycle.
If you have any queries, please email cphcspecialprojects@bcs.uk
Process for Making Awards
A LDG Special Projects Review Panel will judge the value and timeliness of proposals and to make the awards. Limited feedback will be given to unsuccessful applicants and applicants have the option of re-submitting in a future round. The Reviewing Panel will consider all applications to be confidential.
Previous Awards made
CPHC 