Steven A. Denning Awards

The Steven A. Denning Award for Global Engagement recognizes a Georgia Tech faculty member who has demonstrated sustained outstanding achievement and commitment to the advancement of the Institute’s strategic goal to Connect Globally. The award includes a $5,000 stipend. This program is funded through the generous support provided in the establishment of the Steven A. Denning Chair in Global Engagement. It seeks to recognize an academic faculty member who goes beyond his or her normal duties and has made a significant and sustainable impact in one or more of the following areas:

• Promoting the recognition of Georgia Tech in other countries
• Advancing research, education, and economic development engagement at the international level
• Providing unique international experiences to our students
• Incorporating global perspectives in teaching or international components into the curriculum
• Creating new ideas, structures, or products that promise to eliminate international inequalities, promote global cooperation, or foster respect for human dignity among nations and peoples of the world.

To Nominate:

Send a statement of advancement of internationalization that includes a description of the nominee’s past and present international involvement. This statement should speak to the nature and quality of the involvement in the global arena and how these efforts have expanded and enriched one or more of the contribution areas above. Include the names and contact information of both the nominee and the nominator. Nominations should not exceed 5 pages and should include letters of support (not included in page count). Nominations should be submitted by email to the Office of the Vice Provost for International Initiatives:  Florence.stoia@provost.gatech.edu.

Deadline for nominations: February 16, 2024

The Office of the Vice-Provost for International Initiatives (VPII) seeks to seed-fund exploratory initiatives in global engagement. This program is funded through the generous support provided in the establishment of the Steven A. Denning Chair in Global Engagement, currently held by the Vice Provost for International Initiatives.

A focus area of the Georgia Tech strategic plan is to Connect Globally: To strengthen our role as a convener of worldwide collaboration, and build a global learning network to expand our reach and amplify our impact, we will: a) prepare all Georgia Tech students to be cross-culturally competent, globally minded leaders; b) be a leader in study abroad participation among leading public research universities; c) be a hub of a global learning and an innovation network through global partnerships, alumni engagement, lifelong learning, and research collaborations; d) lead and contribute to global collaborative efforts that advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals through our education, research, and service.

The Denning Seed Fund Award had four goals:

• Support feasibility studies of innovative, transformative research and education ideas in global engagement with significant emphasis on their impact on learners;
• Develop new and creative international experiences for learners;
• Promote and develop the Institute’s global engagement in new and creative ways;
• Facilitate the development of new and strategic relationships with international partners (e.g. universities, governments, companies, NGOs) in areas that are aligned with Georgia Tech’s strategic plan and lead to a sustainable program in education, economic development, or research.  

Single investigators or teams may apply for seed funding up to $15,000 (including fringe benefits, and tuition remission) per project for FY25. Investigators cannot be PI (or co-PI) on two or more proposals. Faculty salary support is not encouraged but will be considered under exceptional circumstances that are justified. 

A three-page maximum request should be submitted with the following information: (i) proposed idea and relation if any to existing programs at Georgia Tech; (ii) potential impact and alignment with the Institute Strategic Plan; (iii) measure of success; (iv) sustainability plan subsequent to receipt of this funding; v) two-page CV of the PI and team members (not included in page count); vi) budget and budget justification (not included in page count).

The proposals will be evaluated by a Committee. If selected, recipients of the Denning Seed Fund Award will need to provide a short paragraph summarizing their activities and findings, along with pictures (if applicable) upon completion of the project. 

The deadline for requests is March 15, 2024, for an anticipated July 1, 2024 start.

For more information, contact Bernard Kippelen.

Submit proposals by email to Florence Stoia.