A Program in Higher Education of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Winfred M. Phillips, Vice President

The University of Florida is among the top U.S. research universities invited to submit an application to the Hewlett Foundation’s program to improve general education in research universities. Up to 10 two-year grants of $100,000-$150,000 will be awarded in spring 2000. This program would provide the opportunity to enhance our general education program to prepare our undergraduates for more advanced learning experiences.

This program has been developed by the Hewlett Foundation “to assist universities in making general education a compelling stage for the best and wisest faculty to introduce undergraduates to the variety of ways in which knowledge is made and human experience understood, to the development of ideas through time and across cultures, and to work that enables utilization of the special attributes of a research university.”

To this goal, the Foundation emphasizes proposals that accent attention to teaching and learning, faculty collaborations in curriculum and teaching, deliberate focus student outcomes, and effective utilization of the range and depth of the institution’s intellectual resources. Proposals seeking support for normal program development (e.g., writing across the curriculum, basic computer skills, service learning) are unlikely to be approved.

The first stage of application is a 2- to 3-page letter of intent which summarizes the general framework and objectives of the proposed project, with emphasis on the challenges on campus that the program seeks to address; the program strategy and expected results; and how the proposal relates to recent activities and future goals of the University.

On behalf of the University, we welcome your brief preproposals of projects suitable for this initiative. Preproposals may be delivered to 223 Grinter Hall by 5 p.m. September 1, 1999. We will use an ad hoc review group to recommend the UF submission by September 15, 1999, allowing time for preparation of the formal preproposal for the Foundation’s November 3, 1999, deadline.

Detailed guidelines and samples of funded projects are available on the Foundation’s website at http://www.hewlett.org; copies are also available from our Program Information Office, 392-4804.

Thank you for your consideration of this opportunity. Please call if you have any questions. Best regards.