Digital Ethnic Studies Seed Grants, 2025-26
Digital Ethnic Studies Seed Grants
Deadline: February 2, 2026
The Digital Ethnic Studies Interdisciplinary Research Cluster will award $1,000 per submission to fund the initial development of course-related projects that will enhance student learning outcomes through technology in the respective Ethnic Studies disciplines (Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, and Chicana and Chicano Studies). The goal of this program is to seed projects that will go on to receive subsequent and greater funding from more competitive external sources. Projects may include the development of new technology-enhanced tools for courses, technology-enhanced course modules, assessment tools, and learning science research.
Eligibility
Applicants should be lecturers or tenure-track/tenured faculty members whose appointment is in any of the following units: Africana Studies, American Indian Studies, Asian American Studies, or Chicana and Chicano Studies.
Requirements
- A project statement outlining the objectives, plan, timeframe for project completion, and expected outcomes in no more than 500 words.
- An abbreviated CV.
- A commitment to submit ongoing or completed work from the project to the DH Annual Showcase in May 2026 or May 2027.
Criteria
Proposals should aim to do one of the following:
- Demonstrably improve student learning outcomes in the instructor’s respective Ethnic Studies discipline at SDSU
For example, by creating/assessing/refining a compelling technology-enhanced course innovation and demonstrating improved student learning from a technology-enhanced course innovation - Pursue Ethnic Studies-related learning research at SDSU
For example, by developing and assessing a technology-enhanced instructional method or principle of technology-enhanced learning within a course, by contributing to the scholarship of technology-enhanced teaching and learning; by developing and assessing a novel educational technology or using an existing technology in a novel way; or by leveraging educational educational data to make a scientific discovery.
A successful proposal will
- Deploy technology-enhanced learning in some form. We are interested in effective and innovative use of Digital Humanities (DH) to enhance learning outcomes or learning science. Proposed work may involve the integration/application of existing DH or the creation of new technologies.
- Collect and analyze data on student learning outcomes. Projects should specify what direct measures of student learning will be used to assess the effectiveness of the interventions, guide ongoing improvements, and/or test hypotheses about learning.
- Articulate a sustainability plan. Proposals should explain how the proposed project will likely be maintained beyond the scope of the seed grant. Examples may include implementing a course innovation that is likely to be used in other courses and that inspires other faculty to reuse or adapt it; dissemination of the work inside and outside SDSU in a way that likely leads to further adoption or expansion; or producing a basis of work for writing future, successful grants to external funders.
- Describe meaningful contributions to learning research or pedagogical practice.
- Provide a compelling case that the proposed work will make a difference within the project’s scope and beyond.
Funding Details
Proposals for DES Seed Grants can be submitted for $1,000 per submission. We are able to fund a total of 3 projects. The timeframe for project completion is one year from the date of award at which point a final report will be required.
During and beyond the grant period, recipients will have access to the Digital Humanities Center and its staff for further support in DH tool and technology implementation.
Contact
Please email your proposal to Sureshi Jayawardene at [email protected] with the subject line, DES Seed Grant. You may contact her for any questions or concerns related to the seed grants as well.
