The Office of Global Affairs recently announced that it will be accepting applications for a round of "small seed grants" to support projects focused on the "global dimensions of teaching and learning at Brandeis," according to a Nov. 17 on BrandeisNOW press release. The Office of Global Affairs awarded an initial round of grants in 2007 to 10 projects, according to Bryan Mcallister-Grande, the associate director of the Office of Global Affairs and the coordinator of the global fund.

The projects, which received grants in 2007, were put into practice in academic year 2008, McAllister-Grande said. Those projects included the "Global Affairs Table," a forum for students and faculty to talk together about global topics, according to the BrandeisNOW article.

Both Daniel Terris, director of the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life and McAllister-Grande said tha although no grants were given in 2009, the program was not deactivated. According to McAllister-Grande.now that people involved in the initial round of projects may have moved on from Brandeis, the Office of Global Affairs thought it was an appropriate time to provide more funding for the grants.

Applications for the grants are due Jan. 31, 2011, according to the BrandeisNOW press release. Terris said in an interview with the Justice that the grants are available to any faculty member, full-time administrator or full-time graduate or undergraduate student.

He said team applications are encouraged, adding that preference is given to applicants applying "on behalf of a department, unit, office, school club or program." Grants will be given to projects that will take place next academic year.

Funding for the grants is provided through the budget of the Office of Global Affairs.

McAllister-Grande said that the new round of grants coincides with the development of global learning goals for Brandeis students.

A small committee of students and faculty, according to McAllister-Grande, is working to develop a set of learning goals that focus on world culture as part of a larger effort by the University to set overall learning goals for students.

McAllister-Grande said that the focus of the grants this year will be on projects that address teaching and learning at Brandeis.

"This focus comes from wanting to connect to these learning goals so that we're really focusing on the curriculum and the cocurriculum at Brandeis, and we're not worrying this year so much about overseas partnerships," said McAllister-Grande.

Grant winners will be chosen by a small committee of faculty and staff, according to McAllister-Grande.

Terris said that the Global Brandeis Fund is unique because it has a focus on global issues-specifically on bringing together international students and elements of Brandeis' curriculum.

McAllister-Grande said that the fund is focused on building partnerships on campus and oversees which "enhance Brandeis' connections to the world."





-Nashrah Rahman contributed reporting.