Academic Faculty Enhancement and Enrichment (AFEE) Program

Goal

The Academic Faculty Enhancement and Enrichment (AFEE) Program supports Africa-related initiatives across the disciplines and Colleges at Howard University. The goal of the program is to improve and enhance student learning, curriculum development, teaching, professional development, and research related to Africa.

Purpose and Criteria

AFEE funds are available to full-time HU faculty members pursuing teaching and research activities with a primary focus on Africa. Funds can be used to support Africa-related curriculum development, faculty development workshops, strategic partnerships with African institutions, and special programming around Africa-related issues.

Collaborations among faculty at Howard University or with faculty from other universities, especially HBCUs, are encouraged and highly desired. However, individual faculty members may also apply for support to enhance her/his Africa-related teaching and/or research activities.

Fall 2023

  • Deadline: Oct 1, 2023

Spring 2024

  • Deadline: Feb 1, 2024

Summer 2024

  • Deadline: Apr 1, 2024

Use of Funds

All projects must have an outcome enhancing or creating a new course or research materials with at least 25% Africa-related content.

Funds may be used to cover honoraria, supplies, student assistance (no more than one per funded project) and other qualified project costs. Funds cannot be used for entertainment, food, or receptions. Funds cannot be used to pay presently employed Howard faculty and staff.  AFEE research funds also can be used to strengthen strategic partnerships with universities and other institutions of higher education and research in Africa. 

Examples of Fund Uses:

  • Enhance existing courses and to develop and introduce new courses with predominantly African content
  • Provide honoraria to bring guest speakers, including bringing an African-based expert to speak virtually 
  • Purchase new software/technology purchases to enhance area studies/language instruction
  • Hire student assistant to help develop curricular materials, bibliographies or databases, assist with event planning, conduct research or surveys, etc.

Maximum grant amount: $3,000

Maximum grant amount is $3,000, however smaller projects are welcome. Honoraria for virtual participation should not exceed $300/speaker. Applications are received on a rolling basis. There are no deadlines, however, every effort should be made to expend all funds within one academic year. 

Project Report

A project report is due 30 days after the completion of the project. In the report, please document if the stated project goals were attained, how funds were used, any outstanding results of the project and specifically, how the project enhanced or is leading to the creation of a new course with Africa-related content.

Required Disclaimer

All notices, publications, etc. that are developed using AFEE funds must carry this disclaimer as required by the Department of Education:

“The contents of this (insert type of publication, such as book report, film) were developed under grant # P015A220168 from the U.S. Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.”

Also, acknowledgement of support from the Center for African Studies at Howard University must be made.

Application

To apply fill out the online application form (below) and submit the required materials.

Required Materials

Along with the online application, you need to submit the following materials. These are to be uploaded as PDF files or Word documents within the application.

*** Be sure to include your full name on each document submitted.

  1. The Project Description must address these issues:
    1. What are the goals and objectives of the project? 
    2. Is this project collaborative and interdisciplinary?
    3. How will the project improve and enhance student learning, curriculum development, teaching, professional development, and/or research related to Africa?
    4. How will the funds be used to develop and introduce new courses with predominantly African content or to enhance existing courses with new modules devoted to Africa with at least 25% Africa-related content?
  2. Projected Timeline
  3. Complete project budget with a narrative justification
  4. CVs/resumes of lead faculty and any collaborators highlighting courses taught. (2 page maximum)
  5. Letter of support of the project from the department chair or the lead faculty.

Contact

Dr. Krista Johnson, Director
Center for African Studies, Howard University
KMJohnson@Howard.edu

The AFEE program is funded by a grant from the International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) office of the U.S. Department of Education, Title VI.