Course Syllabus

ESM 435: Grant Proposal Writing (Fall 2021: Bisynchronous Online Class)

Instructor name: Roxann Schroeder, PhD

Email: rjs30@humboldt.edu

Always include your full first and last name in your email, and include course name (ESM 435 or Grant Writing) in your subject line to ensure that your emails do not get lost in my (very full!) inbox.

Synchronous Class Time: Mondays 12 pm - 1:50 pm via Zoom

Office Hours: All sessions will be held via Zoom: Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4 pm or by appointment

Course Description

This is a practical class about writing grant proposals in the sciences. The emphasis is on writing, and you will generate an idea and write a coherent proposal that convinces readers that you know what you are doing—and hopefully would convince them to give you funding. You will use critical thinking skills, communication skills, research skills, and writing skills in this class. You will also use quantitative reasoning skills to critically evaluate grant proposals written by your classmates. Class participation is important, and there will be frequent asynchronous interactions this semester to allow you to get and give feedback to your classmates.

Required Textbook/Course Materials

Please read the Technical Skills and Requirements to understand the Minimum Hardware and Software needed for this course.

Required Textbook: None

Other Required Materials: Materials posted on Canvas

Other readings and resources that are helpful for your learning will be posted on the course Canvas site and in the Canvas Announcements. These readings will be from a variety of sources, including Internet sites. These readings will provide you with additional information and points of view that will help you write your grant proposal. Because this semester will be online, there may be additional new readings that I find during the semester, so it is important to check Canvas frequently.

Recommended Materials (optional):

• Graff, G, Birkenstein, C. They say, I say. The moves that matter in academic writing. W.W. Norton and Co. New York. ISBN 978-0-393-93361-1
• This is a small easy-to-read book that explains how to use transitions between ideas in your writing, and gives many examples of how to do so. I have the second edition of this book, but the current edition is the fourth. You can find used copies online, and probably also at second hand bookstores. You do not NEED this book, but if you feel uncomfortable with academic writing, this book is a good resource. NOTE: There is a version of this book that has additional readings and costs around $50, but the version I have just has the text, and was about $23, so pay attention to which version you are looking at if you choose to buy this book.
• There are many books available on writing grants, including Grant Writing for Dummies (who knew?). If you know that you want to write a specific type of grant for your career, you might want to invest in a book or books that are specific for writing that type of grant, but you do not need one for this class. You will quickly learn that the most relevant information for any grant proposal is the Request for Proposals (RFP)!

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes

By the end of the semester, each student will have written a grant proposal following the instructions given in the class RFP, which is posted on the course Canvas page. All students will be able to apply what they learn in this class to future opportunities to write grant proposals.

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Students will obtain the tools needed to write a persuasive, feasible and fundable grant
2. Students will use critical and creative thinking skills to develop and research an environmentally, scientifically, or socially useful topic
3. Students will be able to articulate program designs with measurable outcomes
4. Students will acquire effective communication skills through both written and oral means
5. Students will be able to research potential grant topics
6. Students will learn how to respectfully and effectively give and receive proposal reviews through both oral and written means

Course Schedule

Class will have synchronous meetings on Mondays at noon. There will also be asynchronous (recorded "lectures") each week that will provide you with important content information. Check the Course Schedule (for more detail on the topics for this semester. Topics are subject to change with fair notice, so it is important to check Canvas regularly. Messages from your instructor will be sent to you at the email address used in your Humboldt State profile.

 

Course Overview

This class is being taught fully online, and there will be both synchronous and asynchronous components. This is not a self-paced class. Grant funders do not accept late proposals, so it is important that you get into the mindset of meeting all your deadlines for this class.  Timely submission of class assignments is important to your success in this course. If you ever find yourself in the position where you think you will miss a deadline for this class, you should contact me ASAP. Assignment due dates will not be extended without advance notice except under extremely unusual circumstances.

It is important that you interact with your classmates, since you will learn a lot from how other people approach writing a proposal. You will turn in assignments (on Canvas), and for some assignments you will then provide peer feedback to assigned classmates (usually a week after turning in the assignment). All due dates will be clearly listed on Canvas, and will be available in your Canvas calendar. Canvas automatically assigns each student who turns in the assignment a specified number of other students to review – you will have a link to the other students’ assignments in your Canvas. Please make sure to turn in your assignments on time (if this were a “real grant” and you submitted it late, you would not be funded) and do your peer reviews on time as well. If you do not see links to papers to peer review, please send me an email ASAP - sometimes Canvas (or I!) misses a step in the process. In addition, if your assignment was uploaded to Canvas late, you might not see peer review assignments, but I can add them easily if you contact me.

Course Requirements

You will write the various sections of a grant, and will give and get feedback on your assignments during the semester. Assignments will be turned in electronically and on time (as would happen with a real grant). Details about assignments will be posted on the class Canvas site and discussed in class.

Assignments should be saved as PDF documents, and files should be named by the class conventions (described in class before the first assignment is due and described in the course RFP posted on Canvas). Briefly, files will be named by your last name, the assignment name, version # and date. Files will be uploaded via Canvas.

Near the end of the semester you will turn in a final copy of the entire grant that incorporates the feedback you received on each section. Each student will read grant proposals written by classmates and will sit on a “Peer Review Study Section” to learn about the process of peer review and how grant funding occurs. The online method of peer review will be described later in the semester. (There will also be a “practice peer review” activity near the start of the semester.) This is also a final chance to get more feedback so you can further improve your grant.

As with any class, the more time you put in, the better your outcome will be. It is hard to estimate the time any individual will need to put in, since everyone has a different way of studying and writing. People who find it easy to write will likely spend less time. However, everyone will need to research different topics (grant sources, background literature, budget costs, etc.). Please expect to spend at least 4 to 5 hours per week on this course outside of class (i.e., watching the recorded lectures), and budget your time accordingly.

Email Correspondence:

I strongly suggest that you use your HSU email account for all course work to ensure that you get course-related information in a timely manner. If you choose to use a different email account, make sure that your university email is forwarded to the account that you use.

To get a prompt response to your emails, make sure that you include your course (ESM 435 or Grant writing) and a specific description of your question in the subject line of your email to ensure that your email does not get lost in my inbox.

Be sure to include your full name in all emails (one semester there were three people named Brian in a class of 25!) as well as the course name (Grant Writing). It is important to include these details since I teach three different classes, with around 100 students per semester - you will get a faster response to your questions if I know which class you are in without having to look it up! Proofread all your emails for spelling, sense and tone before sending. It is very easy to make a poor impression or offend people with emails. Don’t let that happen to you.

Here is a great article that describes how to write a good email (and why certain things are not good!) at How to Email Your Professor.

Here is a link to an article that explains why you should attend office hours (and talk to your professor) - remember that office hours this semester will be optional Zoom meetings (see top of Syllabus for times).

Course Modality

This course is offered online, over the Internet using Canvas, HSU’s learning management system. This allows you to access the course materials from a computer with any standard web browser already installed. One of the exciting advantages of online learning is that you can plan your class time to fit your schedule. However, it is important to balance this flexibility with your new responsibility of scheduling your own learning.

Need Help?

If you have questions about the course, such as concepts covered in the course, your assignments, or scores post your question in the Ask Questions Here forum in the Discussion link on the left navigation menu. (Be sure to offer your assistance there, too, when you can!) You may also contact me via email at rjs30@humboldt.edu, during office hours, or by appointment on Zoom.

For technical questions, such as the suitability of your home computer for the course, installing plug-ins, problems with your password, etc., contact the HSU Help Desk (help@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4357).

Inclusivity

Students in this class are encouraged to speak up and participate in-class and online. Each of us must show respect for each other because our class represents a diversity of beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences. I believe that this is what will enrich all of our experiences together. I recognize that our individual differences can deepen our understanding of one another and the world around us, rather than divide us. In this class, people of all ethnicities, genders and gender identities, religions, ages, sexual orientations, disabilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, regions, and nationalities are strongly encouraged to share their rich array of perspectives and experiences.  If you feel your differences may in some way isolate you from our classroom community or if you have a specific need, please speak with me early in the semester so that we can work together to help you become an active and engaged member of our class and community.  (Adapted from CSU Chico and Winona State University).

This course was built with accessibility in mind. However, if you discover something in the course that is not as accessible as it could be, please alert me as soon as possible so I can make adjustments.

Expectations of the Student

1. Log into the course at least twice a week. Turn in all assignments by the due date. Provide feedback to peers as assigned.
2. Expect to spend about 6 hours per week working on this course.
3. Prepare to the best of your ability for every aspect of this course.
4. Take the opportunity to learn how to write your own thoughts; don't plagiarize. Be sure to give credit where credit is due and cite your sources correctly using APA style for in text citations and bibliography.
5. Learning through collaboration (defined as working with or learning from another) is an effective tool used in this class and in your future employment. When I expect you to collaborate, I'll make it very clear in the assignment instructions. All other work in this class is to be done independently.
6. If you haven't already, read the Humboldt State University Academic Honesty Policy to make sure you understand the importance of your academic integrity.
7. External tools we will be using in this class: Convert documents to pdf; create and post short video "elevator talk"
8. Who will have access to student content: Your assignments will be shared with a subset of your peers during peer review processes.

Expectations of the Instructor

If we all live up to our academic responsibilities, this course will be meaningful for all who participate. Please feel free to discuss these points with me at any time during the course this semester.

1. I will prepare and review course materials to be as current and accurate as possible.
2. I will be available to answer questions or issues that may arise for you during this course. Expect a 24-hour turnaround time for response to emails Monday through Friday between the hours of 9 am and 5 pm. I will also be available during Zoom office hours, either scheduled or by appointment.
3. I will utilize fair and honest evaluation techniques for each assignment required for this course.
4. To the best of my ability, I will make this a valid and worthwhile learning experience.
5. I will do my best to address the needs of a diverse range of learning styles in this course.
6. I will make every effort to follow QLT (Quality Learning and Teaching) best practices.
7. I will only share your student information per FERPA guidelines.

Technical Assistance

It is crucial to seek help when you can’t access Canvas or you have difficulty with your computer settings or browser:

• For technical assistance contact HSU’s Help Desk at 707.826.HELP (4357) or send an email to help@humboldt.edu
• For Canvas support, please use the Help button located on the bottom left of your course.
• Please see the Canvas Student Guides to learn more about specific Canvas functions.

Special notes: Browsers and Mobile Devices

1. The Canvas app: Available for iOS or Android: Canvas Mobile Guides
2. Firefox or Chrome are recommended browsers for accessing Canvas. If you have problems opening some content, first try another browser. If you are using a mobile device, try accessing the content on a computer. There are some functions of Canvas (including seeing your peers' reviews of your assignments) that do not work on mobile devices!
3. If Flash-based content is used in this course, it won't display on Mobile devices, especially iOS devices.
4. External URLs: To open certain URLs (http vs. https) you may be prompted to click on the shield icon in your browser to “allow” access to the unsecure content. Simply click on the shield and click the “allow” button when asked.
5. Please note that some content may be blocked if you are using a campus computer, as HSU computer labs do not allow opening certain types of unsecure content.

Evaluation and Grades

Assignments

This class will involve writing the various parts of a grant proposal during the first part of the semester. These assignments will be compiled into a full grant proposal near the end of the semester. This full version of the proposal will undergo peer review (see below) and be revised by the final exam period. Because each assignment builds on the previous ones, and you will need to incorporate comments from me and your peers, it is crucial that assignments are turned in on time. Assignments will be turned in as pdf files on Canvas, and my comments, as well as your peers’ comments, will be returned to you on Canvas. Unexcused late assignments will lose points (10% for each weekday they are late, hence worth 0 points after two weeks), and they may not get the same degree of feedback that assignments turned in on time get. If you anticipate having trouble finishing an assignment on time, it is important to contact me as soon as you can. Late assignments can not be excused retroactively except under extreme conditions. (Be sure to contact me if you ever think you fit in this category, I am always willing to talk to you!)

It is important to note that I will be your Program Officer, not your Editor. Although I do love editing documents, I cannot grade and comment on all of your assignments in a timely manner (there are 30 of you, and only one of me!). If you need help with editorial issues, please (1) talk to me during office hours, or (2) make an appointment with the writing center (see information and link to the writing center below), or (3) have one of your peers help you with proofreading. It will be worth your investment in time since well-written assignments with minimal errors that meet the requirements of each assignment will receive higher scores! If you turn in an assignment that is not readable, it will be returned for revision; you will be allowed to turn the assignment in late for partial credit.

Rubrics will be provided for each assignment. These rubrics will tell you what I will look for when grading, and can be used as a "checklist" when you are proofreading your assignments before submitting them on Canvas. In addition, they will help you when you are doing reviews for your peers on  the various parts of the grant proposal. Please note that I include a lot of information in the description of the assignments so that you can review the instructions. You can ask for clarification during the synchronous class meetings, office hours, or via email if anything is confusing (and I welcome your questions - I do not want you to be confused).

Avoiding plagiarism

Assignments will be analyzed by the TurnItIn function of Canvas. You do NOT need to create a TurnItIn account. The purpose of this program is to compare your assignments to text on the internet and in a variety of databases to identify sections of text that are potentially plagiarized. The reason I use this system is to help you identify sections of your text that might need to be revised. (I am sure we have all pasted text into a document intending to rewrite it in our own words, then forgot to delete the text when we were done with it!)

When you submit an assignment that will be analyzed, a TurnItIn score (TII score) will appear below the link to your document. The time for the TII score to appear on Canvas is likely to vary, but it will be advantageous if you submit assignments before the due date so you can see the TII score (and adjust sections of text that need it) before I grade the assignments. There are no "hard and fast rules" about what TII score is too high, but generally if I see a score above 20%, I will take a closer look at the TII report. (You can access the report by clicking on the oval with the TII score.)

Sometimes it is difficult to describe something except in very specific words -- that does not mean that the author is plagiarizing. However, copying a block of text into your document and changing a few words here and there is. If you are ever concerned, please don't hesitate to talk with me about your TII score. A high score will not necessarily have an effect on your grade (see the first sentence in this paragraph). However, evidence of uncorrected and extensive plagiarism is a significant problem, and could earn you a zero grade for the affected assignment. Please refer to the HSU Academic Honesty Policy for more information.

General information

You will be able to track your grade throughout the course using the "Grades" link in the left side navigation menu on each course page. If you have any questions about your grade, contact me promptly.

Refer to the Course Schedule for due dates for each assignment, as well as the Assignment Details for more information on these assignments. Each student is responsible for completing all assignments and activities as specified by the instructor. See the Assignment Details for specific information about each assignment, including how it will be evaluated. The assignments in this class build on each other to create a grant proposal, and therefore all assignments should be completed to succeed in this course. Assignments will be submitted online in pdf format. If you have problems submitting your assignments, contact Canvas 24/7 Support (help button in Canvas) or the Humboldt State Help Desk (help@humboldt.edu or 707-826-4357) immediately by phone or email to resolve the problem. If you anticipate any problems finishing an assignment on time, please contact me as soon as you can to see if accommodations can be made.

 

Course Requirements	Percent of Total Grade
Participation	15%
Homework***	30%
Initial Grant Proposal	15%
Peer Review of Grants	20%
Final (Revised) Grant Proposal	20%

Participation (15%) will be determined by your engagement in the class, and will include you turning in assignments on time, giving timely and helpful feedback to your peers, participating in online class discussions, asking questions, etc.

Homework (30%) will be determined by your grades on the assignments and quizzes in the first part of the class, mainly but not exclusively the sections of a grant proposal. You should look at the feedback you get from your peers on each assignment ASAP so you can start to revise each section before the full proposal is due - getting this done ahead of time will make your life easier!

*** Adjustment needed for the assignments that were graded complete/incomplete (A4 through A10) I need to make an adjustment as follows to ensure the grading is as close as possible to what is described in the syllabus and assignment rubrics:

• Complete, ontime/excused ...10 points
  
• Complete, late < 1 day ... 9 points
• Complete, late > 1 day ... 8 points
• Incomplete,  ontime/excused ... 5 points
• Incomplete,  late < 1 day ... 4 points
• Incomplete,  late > 1 day ... 3 points
• Missing ... 0 points
  

Initial submission of grant proposal (15%) will be graded primarily on how well your proposal meets the course RFP (format, page limits, content). Your grade will not be influenced by your rankings in the peer review process. Submission of exceptional grant proposals will exempt the author from needing to submit a revised version of the proposal during final exam week.

Peer review of grants (20%) will be determined by your participation (10%) and the peer review reports (10%) that you submit. You will also need to rank the grants that you reviewed. More details (as well as a peer review worksheet) will be provided later in the semester.

Final revised grant proposal (20%) will take the place of the final exam. You will use feedback from your peers, and what you learned by reviewing other grants to revise your proposal for submission during final exam week (there is no penalty for early submission!). For the Spring 2021 semester, your proposal will be due on Friday May 14, 2021 at 12:10 pm (the end of our scheduled final exam time, which is 10:20 am to 12:10 pm).

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete grades will very rarely be allowed for this class. In more than a decade, no one who took an incomplete finished the class. If you have extenuating circumstances, it is much better to contact me to see how/if accommodations can be made. If you think you may not be able to finish the work in the course, it would be best if you dropped the course before the final withdrawal date.

Late Work

In real life, grants are not accepted after the deadline. In this class, late assignments will be docked 10% per day, and will not be accepted for full credit without prior permission and only due to extreme circumstances. (Note that I may read and make comments so you have feedback, but this is at my discretion.) If more than 3 assignments are turned in late, your course grade will go down 1 step (so if your points added up to a grade of B-, but you turned in 4 assignments late, you would receive a C+ for your final grade). Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT that all assignments be turned in on time.

If you anticipate problems with turning in assignments for any reason (illness, a field trip for another class, health issues for yourself or a family member, etc.) please communicate with me as soon as possible. I understand that life happens, and that you have many different obligations, but without prior notification, I cannot excuse late assignments. All of your instructors understand that the online format and COVID pandemic has made classes exceptionally challenging. The most important thing that you can do is communicate with us. If you give up and disappear from the class, we can not help you succeed in your classes. Your instructors and the university all want you to succeed. Don't forget to check out the Keep Learning website on the HSU homepage for ways the university can support you. Please contact me for issues specific to this class.

Assignments will be submitted electronically as a pdf and will be uploaded via Canvas (the time it is uploaded will constitute the time of submission). You should ALWAYS keep a hard copy for your own files. You should also keep a backup electronic version somewhere besides your computer (emailing a copy to yourself is a good idea). Lost or corrupted data is NOT a valid excuse for not turning in a readable file on time.

University Policies

Emergency Procedures

• Review the evacuation plan and emergency procedures for the classroom
• During an emergency, information can be found on campus conditions at 707-826-INFO or the HSU Emergency website.

Academic Honesty

Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding academic honesty. For more information, visit: Academic Honesty Policy or HSU Catalog

Students with Disabilities

Persons who wish to request disability-related accommodations should contact me immediately so I can assist you in a timely manner.  If you have not yet done so, please request services with the Student Disability Resource Center in the Learning Commons, Lower Library, 826-4678 (voice) or 826-5392 (TDD). Some accommodations may take up to several weeks to arrange. Student Disability Resource Center.

Add/Drop Policy

Students are responsible for knowing the University policy, procedures, and schedule for dropping or adding classes. The deadline for students to change their course schedule without penalty, known as the Add/Drop date is 11:59 p.m. on the Monday after the second week of classes of the regular semester term. After the deadline, approval to add or drop a class requires approval of a documented serious and compelling reason. See the Resolution on Decoupling Drop/Add Dates from Census (22-14/15-APC), registration help and withdrawal process for additional information.

Attendance and Disruptive Behavior

Students are responsible for knowing policy regarding attendance and disruptive behavior: Class Attendance and Disruptive Behavior.

Email Policy

All HSU students are responsible for checking their HSU email account for official communications. While students may elect to redirect messages sent to their official HSU email address to another address, those who redirect their email to another address do so at their own risk. See the HSU email policy for additional information.

Student Support Services

Learning Center

The HSU Learning Center has a wide range of academic support services, such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, study skills, and more. HSU Learning Center.

Writing Studio

The Writing Center offers free peer assistance with writing assignments and standardized writing examination preparation. The Writing Studio's web site can be accessed at  HSU Writing Studio.

Tutoring Services

The Learning Center provides tutorial assistance to students having difficulties in specific

Courses. The Tutoring Services web site can be accessed at HSU Tutorial Services

Advising

The Academic and Career Advising Center supports students' pursuit of educational goals. HSU Academic & Career Advising Center

Mentoring

Peer academic support through Retention Through Academic Mentoring Program (RAMP)

HSU RAMP Program

Registration

The Office of the Registrar can guide you through all your registration information.

HSU Office of the Registrar

Counseling

The Counseling & Psychological Services Center supports the wellbeing of HSU students.

HSU Counseling & Psychological Services

Course Summary: