Call for Proposals for Innovation in Graduate Education

View Eligibility Criteria, Proposal Format, Selection Criteria and Award Information

January 26, 2006

MEMORANDUM

TO: Members of the University of Minnesota Graduate Education Community

FROM: Gail Dubrow, Dean of the Graduate School and Vice Provost

I am pleased to invite proposals for improving the quality of graduate education, and the quality of the graduate student experience, at the University of Minnesota. Sponsored by the Graduate School, this initiative follows the Graduate School’s centennial celebration in the 2005 fall semester and the exploration of three graduate school priorities at the Centennial Symposium this past October: diversifying the American intellect by opening access to graduate education to underrepresented groups; re-envisioning the scope, content, and purposes of the Ph.D., with an eye toward innovation in the design of doctoral education; and identifying the changes in institutional policy and practice needed to foster interdisciplinary teaching, research, and training at the graduate level. These three themes are intended to focus conversation and action both this year and beyond, and they complement the University’s Strategic Positioning process and our institutional goal of attaining “top three” status as one of the world’s great public research universities.

Proposals may target any area of graduate education that would benefit from innovation and change; however, priority will be given to strong proposals that address the three priorities identified above and that will benefit multiple participants in graduate education. Proposals may address aspects of graduate education that merit reform, or they may propose bold new visions for the future. Proposals will be vetted in a competitive process overseen by the Dean of the Graduate School in consultation with members of the graduate education community. Three prizes will be awarded to recognize and launch the three best ideas.

Attached to this memorandum is information about the format and content of the proposals, the selection criteria, and the review process and timetable. Proposals should be submitted in hard copy to my office (Office of the Graduate School Dean and Vice Provost, 321 Johnston Hall, 101 Pleasant Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455) by no later than March 17, 2006. Questions may be referred to Ms. Vicki Field (612/625-6532; field001@umn.edu).

Please join me in envisioning improvements—or perhaps even new paradigms—in how we attract the most talented and diverse students to our graduate programs, and how we organize and deliver graduate education to produce excellent experiences and outcomes. Original ideas are sure to come out of this challenge, and I look forward to sharing them with the graduate education community at a spring event.