Sprints application information


A selection of four books from Assistant Professor in Jewish Studies, Rami Zeedan's, SPRINTS project stands upright.

Eligibility

Eligibility includes all KU faculty and academic staff as defined in the Handbook for Faculty and Other Unclassified Staff. Student assistants may participate in teams if the primary researcher or instructor is a faculty member. For teaching projects, courses must be a 3-credit course offered in the 2024-2025 academic year. We will also consider applications addressing course sequences.

Application checklist

The project narrative should be no more than three pages (supporting documents excluded from page count), double spaced. It should address the following components:  

1. Description: A clear and concise explanation of the overall proposed research project or teaching project. Some projects may include a blend of research and teaching elements. Please address the questions that make the most sense for your project.  

  • What is the history of this project? What is your research or instruction "problem" you're hoping to work on during this Sprints week? What has been your progress toward your goal, and what barriers to moving forward exist? For teaching projects, what are the goals of the assignment and/or course?  

  • Rationale: How might working with the library help solve this problem? What areas of expertise would librarians contribute to advance your project?

  • Impact: What is the impact of this project on your research or teaching agenda? For teaching projects, what is a learning outcome you hope to integrate into your course based on engagement with information literacy? What are the tangible outcomes of your project?

  • Feasibility: Consider the sample timeline for your own project. What do you reasonably expect to accomplish during the week? What is your proposed path to completion?

2. Anticipated needs: Include a brief list of anticipated resources and/or expertise needed to complete the project. This information will help shape the formation of the library team that we will create for your project (Ex: instructional design; digital humanities; content expertise; open access principles, etc.) 

3. Supporting documents: For research projects include any additional information that is necessary for us to understand your project. For teaching projects, please include the syllabus and assignment prompt(s).

The Sprints Committee uses the following rubric to evaluate applications:

Sprints Week – Application Evaluation Rubric 

 

2 = Excellent 

1 = Satisfactory 

0 = Weak 

Total 

Description 

The description very clearly and concisely communicates the project, the impact on students and/or research, and is interesting and exciting to read. 

The description is mostly clear and concise and communicates the project, the impact on students and/or research, and is interesting to read. 

The description does not clearly or concisely communicate the project and/or does not address the impact on students and/or research. 

 

Significance 

The applicant significantly demonstrates the importance of the project to their research and/or teaching. 

The applicant mostly demonstrates the importance of the project to their research and/or teaching. 

The applicant does not demonstrate the importance of the project to their research and/or teaching. 

 

Outcomes 

The tangible outcomes of the project are clearly defined. 

The tangible outcomes of the project are somewhat defined. 

The tangible outcomes of this project are not defined. 

 

Partnership 

The rationale for partnering with librarians on the project is highly logical, well thought out, and makes a highly convincing case for selection. 

The rationale for partnering with librarians on this project mostly logical, thought out, and makes a mostly convincing case for selection. 

The rationale for partnering with librarians on this project is lacking and does not make a case for selection. 

 

Scale 

The scale of the project perfectly fits into a week’s timeline. 

The scale of the project mostly fits into a week’s timeline. 

The scale of the project will not fit into a week’s timeline. 

 

Feasibility  

The path to completing the proposed project and outcomes is very clear, concise, well thought out, and attainable. 

The path to completing the proposed project and outcomes is mostly clear, concise, well thought out, and attainable. 

The path to completing the proposed project and outcomes is unclear and/or unattainable.  

 

University of Kansas Libraries commit to: 

  • provide selected faculty and academic staff with $1,000 stipend upon completion of Sprints Week project 

  • project team members being available for the entirety of Sprints Week 

  • Collaboratively partnering with selected faculty members to complete the proposed Sprints Week project 

  • provide a project manager to organize and coordinate the project throughout Sprints Week 

  • provide relevant expertise to complete the stated outcomes of the Sprints Week project 

  • provide space and materials needs within its means to support the Sprints Week project  

  • foster open access and open educational efforts, as appropriate 

  • integrate critical information and other literacies, as appropriate 

  • maintain an environment of collegial respect 

  • promote fundamental values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility  

Successful applicants commit to: 

  • being available for the entirety of Sprints Week 

  • focus exclusively on their project during Sprints Week 

  • attend a pre-Sprints Week workshop during the spring semester 

  • participate in the assessment of the Sprints Week program 

  • participate in the Sprints Week public showcase  

  • participate in a post-Sprints Week interview 

  • deposit in KU ScholarWorks any research or instructional materials produced or initiated during Sprints Week, as appropriate 

  • embrace open access and open educational efforts, as appropriate 

  • integrate critical information and other literacies, as appropriate 

  • maintain an environment of collegial respect 

  • embrace fundamental values of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility 

Sprints Week Information

Contact

Sprints committee
The University of Kansas Libraries
sprints@ku.edu

Committee Members

Important dates and deadlines for Sprints.

 

EventDate
Call for proposals

Open through March 3

Information session3-4 p.m. Feb. 14, Watson 455
Applications due11:59 p.m. March 3
Notifications sent to applicantsMarch 25
Pre-Sprints workshopMay (to be determined)
SprintsMay 13-17