Exploratory Grants

Overview

The Exploratory Grants (EX) provide funds to examine a single application or to address a unique instructional challenge in an existing course. Generally, a new technology such as a mobile app, immersive reality or Adaptive Learning is needed to foster increased engagement and student success in mastering course content — and the learning curve required by these types of technology is steep. Partnering with DELTA brings efficiency to this process saving faculty time while offering access to alternative delivery solutions.  

Who should participate?

Full or 3/4 time faculty who would like DELTA’s help in using a new innovation or technology to create a more engaging course and increase student success.

Choose this grant if: 

• You seek support for the exploration of targeted emerging technologies and their application to teaching and learning. 
• You want to explore unique challenges in presenting, delivering or engaging students in learning as part of a credit-bearing course.
• You are a full or ¾ time faculty member.

Award

$8,000, plus a dedicated team of DELTA staff to assist you

What courses are eligible?

Any face-to-face, online, blended, or HyFlex courses that are credit-bearing

Length and delivery

The Exploratory Grant begins in the fall and continues through the end of the summer semester. You work with a team of DELTA staff and have regular meetings throughout the year.

Services Provided

• Support for the exploration of targeted emerging technologies and their application to teaching and learning, or the exploration of unique challenges in presenting, delivering, or engaging students in learning

Grant Expectations 

• Attending the DELTA Grants Orientation
• Participating in and successfully completing the “Applying the Quality Matters Rubric” workshop
• Participating in and successfully completing the “Course Map” workshop
• Participating in regularly scheduled project team meetings
• Delivering the updated course (with developed materials) at least three times
• Spending funds within the current fiscal year and in accordance with all deadlines established by the university and the respective college and department. Awards are state-appropriated funds and are subject to all applicable university, college and departmental rules. Applicants should contact their unit’s budget officer for specifics on spending. Please see the DELTA Grant Funds section on our FAQs page for more information.

Competitive Priorities

Priority consideration is given to applications that:

• Explore solutions for a widely encountered instructional challenge
• Consider multiple solutions that will benefit traditional, hybrid/blended learning, and online and distance education courses
• Hold potential for improving students’ higher-order thinking competencies
• Align with the strategic goals of the college or division that the PI represents
• Seek to improve student success as defined by the NC State Strategic Plan
• Enhance, work within, or function alongside NC State’s current technological infrastructure
• Explore emerging technologies
• Hold the potential to provide a solution that can also be applied to other courses, programs, or colleges
• Demonstrate a commitment to creating pedagogically sound learning materials
• Demonstrate a commitment to assessing the effectiveness of the new solution and its impact on student learning outcomes