Bringing It #49: AMP Grants and Calls to Action
Dear friends,
Thank you for your thoughtful responses to our announcement of The Way Forward initiative. We heard many expressions of agreement that it is imperative for educators to respond creatively to the crises of systemic racism, the pandemic, and the economic catastrophe. We hope that many of you will develop proposals for The Way Forward Grants.
Our announcement was met in the best way possible –– with news of other initiatives and activities throughout our community. Some are open to all comers, while others are limited to particular institutions and consortia. But they speak to the creativity and activism with which higher education is responding to the crisis. We are excited to share them with you below.
But first, we want to announce another grant opportunity of our own, separate from The Way Forward initiative in our last issue. This is the renewal of our AMP Grants, available to previous recipients of grant support from BT2P. Here are the details.
AMP Grants
Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) is pleased to announce the renewal of AMP Grants, a funding opportunity for faculty, staff, and programs in non-profit colleges, universities, and consortia. AMP Grants provide between $500 and $2,000 to support activities that amplify, disseminate, and increase the public reach of research and practice that BT2P has supported. These awards may be used to support a range of activities, including:
- virtual or campus-to-campus consulting visits
- multi-institutional convenings
- presentations, reports, and publications that extend the reach of BT2P-supported work beyond traditional academic conferences and journals
- public writing, digital and media products, and other work that bring BT2P-supported work to broader publics
AMP Grants are available to faculty, staff, and programs from any academic institution (or academic association or consortium) that has received previous grant support from BT2P. Applicants may propose collaborative activities that include academic institutions and other organizations that were not past grantees, but they must include at least one institution whose work was supported in the past by Bringing Theory to Practice.
AMP Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis. To learn more about guidelines, criteria and how to apply, please visit the RFP.
And from our community…
Here are two important resources for social-change education:
Leading for Resilience and Relevance in Higher Ed: A virtual series
Ashoka U is hosting the second seminar of a two-part virtual series for educators and leaders in higher education seeking to harness the power of changemaking in the classroom and across campus. Join as they explore the mindsets and skills for changemaker education on Oct. 28. This series is made possible by Wheaton College in Massachusetts. Learn more and register here.
2020-21 Social Action Course Development Program
The Bonner Foundation invites you to apply for the 2020-21 Social Action Course Development Program, a series of training and support resources designed to grow the number of faculty and staff who integrate social action into an academic course or a co-curricular fellowship program. This program will bring together a structured training and professional learning community led by Scott Myers-Lipton of San Jose State University. The program will feature monthly Zoom workshops from late October to early May during the 2020-21 school year.
If you are interested in participating, please respond to these questions in an email to [email protected] and [email protected]:
- What interests you about participating in this course development program?
- Have you taught social action before? If so, please describe. If not, have you had any experiences that will help you in teaching it?
And here is news about two important racial justice initiatives. They’re not open to all comers, but they might serve as models for other academic institutions and consortia:
The Bonner Racial Justice Community Fund
The Bonner Racial Justice Community Fund is designed to mobilize students, alumni, staff, faculty, and partners to work for anti-racist and racially just structural, policy, educational, economic, and social change. Individuals and institutions in the Bonner Network may apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support their work over 2020-21. This fund is especially appropriate for student-led and initiated projects. Part of its core intention is to provide an avenue by which students in the Bonner Program can apply their knowledge and skills in civic engagement, social action, advocacy, and organizing to work for sustained changes. This fund has also been created as a way to support projects that are designed and implemented in conjunction with a range of grassroots and established organizations that already work with Bonner Scholars and Leaders at the local level, as well as coordinated efforts like the Black Lives Matter movement, all of which are working to systematically address injustices, violence, and inequities.
University of Miami Racial Justice Grant Program
In response to the persistence of institutionalized and systemic anti-Black racism in national and local communities, the University of Miami’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement, Multicultural Student Affairs, and the Butler Center for Service and Leadership are proud to launch new Racial Justice Grants to support research and/or programmatic activities that center on race, racial justice and racial equity. They seek to support interdisciplinary teams of faculty, staff, community partners, and students to implement tangible initiatives to fight racism. Racial Justice Grant Program applications will be solicited to support community-based scholarship and activities that will promote real and lasting change in the local and/or campus community related to racial justice. These grants are internal to the University of Miami.
And finally, here are two exciting job opportunities:
Stark Family Director / Executive Director, Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service / Associate Dean of the College for Engaged Scholarship
The Howard R. Swearer Center for Public Service is searching for the Stark Family Director / Associate Dean of the College for Engaged Scholarship. As a hub for community and civic engagement, the Swearer Center is at an important intersection where students, faculty, staff, and community partners connect. View the job posting.
ALEX Advisors
Hamilton College seeks three motivated professional advisors to join a creative and dynamic team in launching the ALEX initiative (Advise, Learn, Experience). ALEX supports the College’s mission by encouraging students to participate in their communities, adapt to change, and skillfully discern, articulate, and pursue their purpose. Learn more and apply.
Even in the face of the current crisis –– and in response to it –– there are important initiatives and opportunities for change. Please let us know if you have others to announce. We would love to highlight and connect the work of this community.
With thanks,
David, Lily, Kate and Todd