Strategic Program Assessment Implementation Fund | The Graduate School

Programs that undergo the SPA process are asked to perform a forward-looking evaluation culminating in short, medium, and long-term priorities.

The goal of the Strategic Program Assessment Implementation Fund (SPAIF) is to provide programs that have completed the SPA process a unique opportunity to apply for funding to implement some of their far-sighted and cutting-edge priorities. Any priority identified in a unit’s “Looking Forward” section of their self-study is eligible for funding.

Please contact Graduate School Associate Dean Dr. Eric Torng with any questions.

Criteria

Proposals will be based on the following criteria:

Evidence that the program has begun working on some of the looking forward priorities outlined in their self-study (not necessarily the one targeted in this proposal).
How well the identified priority addresses graduate student success.
The quality of the proposed implementation plan including the budget and budget justification.

Request for Proposals

Any program that has completed SPA is invited to submit proposals for the Strategic Program Assessment Implementation Fund by March 20, 2026.
Each proposal is limited to one year of funding, but programs are welcome to submit additional requests in future years.
There is sufficient funding to support at least two proposals, but more will be considered depending on the quantity and quality of the proposals submitted.
Additional proposals may be funded if proposals request less than the maximum allowed amount.

Application Details

Applications can be submitted using the button at the top of this page.

Page Limit: No longer than 3 pages, single-spaced, including the budget and budget justification.
Funding Limits: The amount of funding requested from the Graduate School may not exceed $5,000.
- Note: The program and college together must match the amount of funding requested from the Graduate School.
Content: Your application should describe tangible targets and outcomes that you hope to address if your program is selected for funding. It should also address all the criteria identified above.

Required Application Elements

Contact person(s): Please list the key contact person with contact details.
Specific looking forward priority to be addressed: Please recap the specific looking forward priority from your SPA self-study that you wish to address with relevant contextual information.
A summary of the proposed implementation plan: Describe your implementation plan.
Evidence of progress: Briefly describe progress you have made on this or other looking forward priorities identified in your SPA self-study. Depending on the time since your SPA year, this evidence can range from planning/discussions to actual implementation.
Assessment: Please provide a statement confirming the program’s commitment to:
1. Assess and evaluate the implemented program.
2. Provide related outcomes and evaluative summaries to the Graduate School reporting on the activities of the program for the year.
Budget: A summary budget detailing how funds will be spent.

SPA Implementation Fund