Mini Grants

About the PSP Mini Grants 

The Appalachian State University Partnership Mini Grants are intended to build relationships between Appalachian State faculty members by engaging in collaborative projects that are connected to internships, student teaching, professional development of educators, and/or student learning (P-12 and preservice educators). The funding should not be used to take the place of current monies, but should be used to expand or refine existing efforts or to begin new initiatives. Partnership districts include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Elkin City, Hickory Public, McDowell, Mount Airy City, NC School for the Deaf, NC School for Science and Math, Newton-Conover City, Watauga,  Wilkes, and Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, as well as the Appalachian State Academy at Middle Fork.

The following guidelines should be followed in designing a project proposal:

  • Groups should include public school educators or administrators, App State faculty, and/or pre-service educators
  • Funding for grants is contingent on available resources and number of grants submitted.
  • $500-$1,000 is the funding range. Stipends for educators are allowed by the University with specific paperwork. Funds may be used for substitute pay, classroom resources, registration, or faculty pay.
  • Funds may not be used for field trips.
  • Winners MUST present their project and outcomes at the Week of Innovation Event Jun10-11, 2025 (Poster, Video, or PD session) 
  • An individual may NOT receive a PSP Mini-Grant 2 consecutive years in a row. 

Important Considerations
Projects should be collaborative in nature and focused on the preparation and/or professional development of practicing educators, practicing administrators, practicing faculty members, or current students. Projects should include the involvement of educators, administrators, App State faculty, and/or clinical interns in the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation process, when possible. 

Deadline for 2024-2025 Mini-Grant Proposals: October 14, 2024

All funds should be spent by the end of the school year: May 15, 2025

Here is the revised Mini-Grant Application for the October 14th deadline,  based on the PSP Mini-Grant committee's feedback. It will no longer be a Google Form, but rather it will be formatted as a Google Doc (forced copy). Applications must be emailed to Dr. Rosenbalm no later than October 14, 2024 at 5pm at rosenbalmem@appstate.edu. The Mini-Grant Committee will convene by the 3rd week of October to evaluate the applications for the  2024-2025 Mini-Grants. Notification of mini-grant recipients will take place by the last week of October 2024. The rubric used to evaluate and make decisions on funding is located at the bottom of the application as a resource and a guide for our applicants. Please let Dr. Rosenbalm know if you have any suggestions or questions about this application or rubric. 

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Mini Grant Winnners!