If you are interested in facilitating work related or community engaged learning in your module, we are here to help.
What we can do for you:
Step One: Apply
Step Two: Participate
What is out of scope?
- Short Term Placements
- Individual Postgraduate Theses
- Presentations/Visits with no student participation/reflection
- Individual Academic Research Projects
- Projects with Community Consultation rather than participation
- Professional Placement Modules
- Projects requiring students to take up a non paid or Volunteering Positions
I teach multiple modules. Can I be in receipt of funding for more than one project live experience in one academic year?
Unfortunately, not. Our funding is limited therefore each academic is only eligible for one project live experience each academic year. This means Academics can only secure up to one €3000 Project Live fund per academic year.
My module currently contains an element(s) of work related or community engaged learning. Can I apply for Project Live funding in respect of this module for the coming academic year?
Yes, once your current/future partners are happy to sign up to the project live experience. We will also ask you to outline how the teaching and learning experience will be enhanced with project live funding.
I already did my own version of Project Live last semester /academic year. Can I apply for funding retrospectively?
Unfortunately, not. Project live funding can only be used to enhance current teaching modules and funding cannot be provided for teaching enhancements that happened in the past.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding can be used to directly enhance the provision of experiential learning in the curriculum. On this basis, expenses not covered by the project live fund includes:
- Accommodation costs
- Academic travel expenses
- Office supplies
- Conference registrations
- Activities already taken place
Covered expenses include but are not limited to:
- Teaching assistant expenses to support in the direct delivery of the project
- Buy-out of applicants teaching time in another module to focus on the delivery of project live
- Software, but careful consideration should be given to sustainability and how such software would be funded post project live
- Specialised technical equipment clearly aligned to the outcomes of the Project Live Proposal
- Stipend of up to €100 for travel related expenses for the community / industry partner
Will my external partners travel expenses be covered by Project Live?
We do advise a proportion of your Project Live funding to be allocated to travel costs of your external partner, although the decision as to whether to do so and the process of reimbursing them for their expenses is the responsibility of the academic.
Do I apply to Project Live to find an External partner to help me achieve my personal research goals?
Project Live is focused on the enhancement of teaching and learning in the curriculum. Although finding a future research partner may be a benefit of participating in project live, it is not its core purpose and should not be used for such.
There are other schemes in MU available for this purpose: visit the Centre for Teaching and Learning to learn more.
Do you support the submission of joint proposal applications from academics in two departments?
Yes, absolutely, once your external stakeholder is open to the multidisciplinary project live experience.
How will I receive the funding?
This will be administered into your general research account.
If you have a question that's not answered above please do not hesitate to contact the Project Live team at projectlive@mu.ie
1. Tell us your proposal / need
Submit a short form here before October 30th to help us understand your project idea
2. Identify a suitable partner
We will help facilitate meetings or Q&A sessions with academics interested in your proposal.
3. Co-Create a Project Proposal
Co-create the final project proposal with your dedicated academic and ensure it is submitted before November 30th.
4. Engage
Engage in the Project Live experience. If you encounter any issues, don't hesitate to contact projectlive@mu.ie
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of actions does Project Live Support?
Project Live supports partnerships between academic departments / individual teaching staff and external stakeholders (both community and industry) that are primarily concerned with meeting the needs of our stakeholders while also providing students with a deeper and more hands on learning experience involving the application of theory to practice using experiential learning methodologies and processes.
Why should we engage with the University? What are the benefits?
The university environment is a vibrant and innovative space for new ideas and theories but this experience is truly transformative when students can become co-creators of practical responses to real world problems/issues by working alongside industry and community experts. Through their participation in Project Live our students and academics are bringing passion for their subject, their energy, resources and skills to the table and making a meaningful practical contribution to your project/business.
What level of engagement and time commitment is required?
The level of engagement and involvement is decided by you and the academic partner at the outset and depends on a number of factors including; the complexity of the project, the length and nature of the academic module (course), the time commitment that is required from students and the nature of their involvement.
What does the process look like?
The process is outlined in the tab above and involves a number of clear steps including initial contact and expression of interest, facilitated partner identification and discussion and concluding with the submission (by academic partner) of the project proposal for consideration to an expert panel (made up of representatives from all stakeholders including; community, industry, student body and academia)
I have a number of different projects/ideas. Can I submit them all?
Yes, we encourage external stakeholders to identify as many needs as possible. While we will not be able to meet all of these requirements in one semester, it will improve the possibility of finding an academic partner if stakeholders can identify a number of ideas that might be appropriate across a number of academic disciplines.
I have already identified a partner within the university that I would like to work with . Can I approach them directly?
If you already know what your organisation requires and you have an existing relationship with an academic department or individual at MU you will both still need to register with the Project Live Team in order to be considered for this programme. However we cannot guarantee that academic departments will be successful in their application so it might be useful to consider other similar departments in order to increase your chances of being successful with your project.
I already have a partner within the university that I work with. Why should I apply for Project Live?
MU Project Live has been developed to enhance the universities capacity to engage with the wider community. By engaging with Project Live you will be giving your partner academic/department the opportunity to receive funding that will enhance their capacity to work with you. Involvement in the Project will also give your organisation exposure to a wider audience. All Project Live participants will be featured in university promotional materials and successful projects will be promoted as Case Studies for best practice in work related and engaged learning at MU.
Who owns the finished product? What are the Intellectual Property Considerations?
As Project Live is developed in line with the universities' policy on public engagement its primary purpose is the creation of material/products or services that directly benefit the external stakeholder. Projects will be referred to the Commercialisation Office where a specific issue arises concerning product ownership.
How can we be sure that our needs will be met?
The project Live Team will ask you to address a number of key questions that will help you to clearly identify your project needs. This includes considering what type of material you hope to produce and whether your project might be more suitable for undergraduate/postgraduate students etc. The Team will also assist with the drawing up of a contract with your academic partner to ensure clarity around roles, responsibilities and agreed outcomes.
If you have a question that's not answered above please do not hesitate to contact the Project Live team at projectlive@mu.ie
Please submit your need / proposal before October 30th here
For any queries, please e-mail projectlive@mu.ie
Students who undertake courses with a community engaged or work related learning component benefit in many ways:
Learning Outcomes
Positive impact on academic learning that extends beyond the module
Improves Analysis, Critical Thinking and Cognitive Development and helps with understanding complex academic theories
Helps students to connect theory to practice and apply what they have learnt through real world experiences
Personal Outcomes
Improving Self Efficacy - Building self confidence in your skills and abilities to work through tasks competently
Strengthening Interpersonal/Personal Skills - teamwork, leadership, communication
Social Outcomes
Greater intercultural understanding and social analysis
Builds innovation and networking skills with your community
Increases potential for active citizenship and public engagement after graduation.
Career Development
Connections with Professionals and Communities for Career and Learning Opportunities
Improved academic performance combined with better interpersonal skills and increased confidence can lead to greater opportunities .
Relationship with your University/Your College Experience
Stronger relationships with your peers, your lecturers and your faculty
More active participation leads to greater satisfaction with your college experience
Both of these benefits contribute to stronger graduation rates.
