University Support for Academic Programs and Research

Intramural support for research, instruction and innovative academic programs is provided through the following mechanisms:

• Deans of some of the schools have limited funds that they may use to initiate new activities. Such funds are generally targeted for innovative or new academic programs.
• Departments that have external grant funding receive a percentage of the indirect cost monies that are recovered by the University provided they meet predefined criteria. These monies are provided through the Institutional Research Fund and must be used to enhance or facilitate research activities within the department.

The Office of Instructional Development (OID) supports the enhancement of instruction and the professional development of UND faculty members as teachers. The Office offers funding, consultation, and assistance to individuals, departments, and colleges. It also offers instructional Development Contracts to faculty and staff who provide instructional development and faculty development services to others. Pending funding, Development Leave Supplements are available to faculty members engaging in instructional development activities while on leave.

The Faculty Instructional Development Committee which is elected by the Senate, provides support for course and curriculum development that goes beyond the means of individual faculty members and academic units. The Committee calls for proposals on a monthly basis and makes grants to individuals and groups of faculty members. Projects might include the design or redesign of units, courses, or sequences of courses; experimentation with new instructional strategies; or development of new teaching materials. The Committee also offers a small number of Summer Instructional Development Professorships. The purpose of these professorships is to provide faculty an opportunity to engage in instructional development on a part-time basis for four weeks during the summer. The focus is on the development of innovative instructional materials, methods, or approaches to new or existing courses that would be offered during the following academic year.

Research Development & Compliance has limited funds available to assist faculty with the cost of projects or activities which are likely to lead to support from an outside agency and to help faculty in meeting required cost-sharing commitments on certain projects.

Graduate Faculty

Graduate faculty are eligible to apply to the Graduate School for appointment as Summer Graduate Research Professors through a program originally sponsored by the Hill Foundation, and more recently funded through University sources. Each summer, up to eight members of the graduate faculty may be provided a stipend to assist them in the conduct of their own research and in the guidance of graduate research students under their direction through the course of the summer. Applications for appointment as Summer Graduate Research Professors are solicited in early November. The announcement of an appointment is made prior to January 1.