National Council on Teacher Quality

The National Council on Teacher Quality is issuing a call for proposals for the second biennial research competition. This competition culminates in a national conference in March 2011 in Washington, D.C., when finalists will defend their paper before some of the nation's top teacher quality scholars. The 2009 jury included Jane Hannaway, Eric Hanushek, Susan Moore Johnsonand Michael Podgursky.

In the 2011 competition, NCTQ is seeking topics to increase knowledge of the impact of collective bargaining agreements, school board policies and state laws on teacher quality and student achievement. NCTQ's TR³ database (www.nctq.org/tr3) can serve as a core resource for the selected research pursuit, but its use is not a prerequisite for the competition. Scholars of any experience level are eligible, although NCTQ is particularly interested in attracting new scholars from a variety of fields, intent on investigating untapped topics.

In June 2010 the jury will select up to 12 semi-finalists, who will be awarded $5,000 to develop their proposals into full papers. After the papers are submitted, in January 2011 the jury will select the best five to eight papers for presentation at the national conference.

Finalists will each receive an all expenses paid trip to D.C. to present their paper. The first prize winner will receive $10,000 and the second prize winner will receive $5,000. All other finalists will receive $1,000. In addition, NCTQ and jury members will endorse the papers for publication in leading academic journals.

Proposals are due midnight EST, June 10.

For more information, click here.

Science Education Partnership Award

National Center for Research Resources encourages applications to its Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) program for the development and evaluation of innovative research education programs to improve PreK-12 research career opportunities and the community's understanding of the health science advances supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical and basic research. SEPA encourages dynamic partnerships between biomedical and clinical researchers and PreK-12 teachers and schools and other interested organizations. Particular importance will be given to applications that target PreK-12 and/or ISE/media topics that may not be addressed by existing curriculum, community-based or ISE/media activities.

Amount: $250,000

Date due: June 22, 2010

For more information, click here.

Canada Outreach Grant

The Canada K-12 Outreach Grant is designed to encourage and support training and resource development that benefit K-12 teachers who teach about Canada, Canada-U.S. relations, and/or Canada’s role in the international community. The program endeavours to broaden and strengthen awareness and understanding about Canada among students throughout the United States. We strongly encourage programs that include an opportunity for K-12 teachers to travel to Canada.

Institutions must demonstrate their funding support for the program and that they are bringing innovative ideas to the program. This grant is intended for U.S. universities and colleges with a significant track record with K-12 outreach programs.

Amount: $15,000

Date due: June 30, 2010

For more information, click here.