Supporting Research in Undergraduate Workforce Readiness
Created in August of 2014 by Robert B and Virginia Toulouse, the University of North
Texas and the University of North Texas Foundation, Inc.
About Professor Robert Toulouse
Dr. Robert Toulouse, a former College of Education faculty member, dean, provost and
vice president of academic affairs at UNT, served as a mentor for Dr. Richard Simms.
Dr. Toulouse is honoring Dr. Simms through this annual award which supports COE faculty
members in their pursuit of leadership-building activities.
Purpose of the Endowment
The endowment provides funding to faculty within the College of Education (COE) to
support research and creative activities in pursuit of leadership-building activities.
Successful proposals will emphasize how the proposed work will:
- Detail how new teaching and/or administrative strategies will be developed and implemented
- Improve student outcomes/success and how this will be measured
- Be scaled up to broadly impact the entire COE and/or the DFW region (where appropriate)
- Be used to support future external grant submission and/or other alternative revenue
generating activity
This award can support a wide range of activities, including: faculty-led research
projects, conference/presentation travel associated with a funded project, and student-led
research and engagements. These grants are designed to complement not replace external
funding, so a successful application will note how this initial funding will lead
to additional funding and/or alternative revenue generating activities.
Eligibility and Requirements
tenure-track or tenured faculty appointment in COE
Funding range is generally $5,000 to $10,000 per request. Please note that these funds
cannot be used for conference travel (only allowed when associated with a funded project),
salaries for faculty, salaries for students, publication page charges, open access
fees, or course releases.
12-months from date of award
Expectations for Funded Projects
It is expected that you will submit an external grant submission and/or fully implement
your alternative revenue generating activity within 15-months from the award date.
It is expected that you will present and/or publish the results of the grant project
within 12-months from the award date.
All creative works generated as a result of internal funding should reference the
COE-Richard and Betty Simms Leadership Development Award as the source of funding.
Serve on a COE review committees to review future proposals
Deadline for Submission
Up to four proposals can be awarded annually. Submissions are due on the first Monday
of October and March, with award notices issued within 30 days of each deadline.
University of North Texas 
