Past Initiatives

Gateway Sciences Initiative

The provost has announced a university-wide Gateway Sciences Initiative (GSI) to improve learning in gateway sciences and enhance the quality of teaching at Johns Hopkins. The focus is on courses that provide critical introductory material for undergraduate and graduate study in the sciences.

A request for proposals has been released to the Johns Hopkins community for bold, creative ideas for transforming gateway science learning based on sound precedents and accompanied by rigorous assessment plans.

Proposals may focus on existing courses, develop new courses or programs, enhance or advance pedagogy, or develop new learning resources and strategies that function inside or outside the classroom. The proposals will be reviewed by the Gateway Sciences Initiative Faculty Steering Committee. A day-long Symposium on Teaching Excellence, which will include a strong focus on gateway sciences as well as other disciplines, is scheduled for January 20, 2012.

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Ph.D. Innovation Initiative

The Ph.D. Symposium on October 25, 2011 generated energy and enthusiasm around the subject of Ph.D. education. To capture that excitement, with the goal of not only invigorating Ph.D. education, but also of putting Johns Hopkins at the forefront of innovation in Ph.D. education, the Doctor of Philosophy Board is launching a Ph.D. Innovation Initiative. For each of the next two years, the university will invest approximately $1M/year in support of bold new ideas in Ph.D. education. The funds will be awarded on a competitive basis to proposals solicited from across the Johns Hopkins community.

• Goal: This request for proposals (RFP) is seeking to identify and fund projects that will lay the groundwork for transforming Ph.D. education at Johns Hopkins and elsewhere.
• Who may submit proposals: Proposals may be submitted by individual faculty, groups of faculty, Ph.D. students with their faculty mentors, individual Ph.D. programs, as well as collaborations among various Ph.D. programs.
• Subject areas: Proposals may be submitted in any subject area in which Johns Hopkins offers the Ph.D.
• Budget and project period: The total project period may not exceed two years. The funds requested may not exceed $200,000 during the award period. Matching funds or other in-kind contributions, including faculty release time, are encouraged.
• Funds available: The president and provost have committed approximately $1,000,000 to the first year of this initiative. It is anticipated that there will be a second call for proposals in approximately one year.
• Proposal submission deadline: November 30, 2012.

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