The Carla B. Howery Teaching Enhancement Fund offers small grants to support innovations in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) specifically within the field of sociology. This initiative aims to promote pedagogical improvements through research and implementation of teaching strategies that enhance student learning outcomes. Rooted in the framework outlined by the Carnegie Foundation, SoTL involves systematically investigating teaching and learning issues through disciplinary methodologies, applying findings to practice, and engaging in self-reflection and peer review.
Administered by the American Sociological Association, the grant supports individuals, academic programs, departments, or committees affiliated with state or regional sociological associations. The funding can be applied to various project needs, including summer salary, software, equipment, travel, transcription, meetings, and survey implementation. Each award has a maximum value of $2,500 and is intended for use over a one-year period. Recipients are required to submit both a mid-year progress report and a final report outlining project outcomes.
Eligibility for the grant is intentionally broad to encourage diverse and innovative proposals. The main requirement is that the project advances sociology education and has an impact at the departmental or institutional level. Applications are welcome from all sociology subfields, and while ASA membership is not required to apply, recipients must become members before the final award is disbursed. Any project requiring human subjects research must provide Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval upon funding.
Applicants must submit their materials electronically in PDF format to the provided ASA email address. The application package must include a completed cover sheet, a detailed project proposal following specified guidelines, and CVs for all involved investigators. Submissions that do not meet these requirements or are incomplete at the deadline will not be considered.
All grant applications are reviewed by the Program Reviewers & Consultants Advisory Board. Awards are announced in April, with funds disbursed before September 1 to align with project timelines. The grant opportunity is currently accepting applications, with a deadline of February 5, 2026.
Emphasize educational impact, innovation, and IRB readiness where applicable.
