UQ Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning (APEL)

General eligibility

• Application is open to all projects, teams and services that enhance student learning at The University of Queensland. Applications should be broader than one or two courses or a service or team that involves a small number of students. For example, applications may involve a project, team or service provided at the institutional, faculty or school level; a program of study across a year or number of years; or a service or project directed at particular groups of students.
• All applications must relate to projects, teams or services that have been sustained for a period of at least three years.
• Cross-faculty, cross-school/unit or cross-discipline applications will be considered.
• Teams may be of any size. All teams must provide a team name.
• Previously unsuccessful applicants for APEL are eligible to reapply.
• A winner of a University of Queensland Awards for Teaching Excellence (ATE) may not be the recipient of The University of Queensland APEL in the same year, unless they form part of a team application and are not the lead applicant.
• An application which is considered to be more closely aligned with the criteria for a Citation may be referred to the Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning (COCSL) Selection Committee for consideration in the same year.

Eligibility of previous recipients

• Previous University of Queensland Citation and/or Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) Citation winners are eligible to apply for an APEL.
• Projects, teams or services that have received a University of Queensland APEL are ineligible to reapply.
• Recipients of a University of Queensland APEL can only reapply if they form part of a team application and are not the lead applicant. The new application should be for a project, team or service that does not substantially replicate the original award.
• A winner of an AAUT APEL may apply for a University of Queensland APEL if they have not been a previous recipient.

APEL expressions of interest and applications will be assessed on the evidence provided in response to the following four criteria. Criteria will be given equal consideration by the Shortlisting Committee and Selection Committee:

1. Distinctiveness, coherence and clarity of purpose – extent to which the project, team or service has clear objectives and systematic approaches to coordination, implementation and evaluation.
2. Influence on student learning and the student experience – extent to which the project, team or service targets identified needs and directly or indirectly enhances student learning, student engagement and/or the overall student experience of higher education.
3. Breadth of impact – extent to which the project, team or service has led to widespread benefits for students, staff, the institution, and/or other institutions, consistent with the purpose of the project, team or service; and
4. Addressing equity and diversity – extent to which the project, team or service promotes and supports equity and inclusiveness by improving access, participation and outcomes for diverse student groups.

In assessing applications against the four criteria, the Shortlisting Committee and Selection Committee will take into account:

• Evidence of the effectiveness of the project, team or service in formal and informal evaluation.
• The degree of creativity, imagination or innovation; and
• Evidence of sustained effectiveness of the project, team or service for no less than three years.

Please refer to the information session resources: Addressing a Learning Challenge (PDF, 165.5 KB) and Evidence for your application (PDF, 107.1 KB) when drafting an Expression of Interest or Full Application.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

APEL applicants must first submit an Expression of Interest and upload their Written Statement (DOCX, 47 KB) by 5pm, 16 April 2021.

The EOI online form will prompt applicants for the following information:

• Part A: applicant details, including:
  • project, team or service title
  • project, team or service start date
  • lead applicant's details, including name, school, faculty and email
  • team details (if applicable).
• Part B: category of award
• Part C: written statement, including:
  • synopsis (maximum 150 to 200 words)
  • overview of the project, team or service and its context (maximum 200 words)
  • summary of evidence addressing all four assessment criteria provided in dot point format (maximum one A4 page) (file upload).

Application

A Shortlisting Committee will appraise expressions of interest according to the published criteria, and invite eligible applicants to provide a detailed application by 6 August 2021.

To download previous APEL applications, browse through our Exemplar award application library (staff login required).

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a workshop facilitated by ITaLI where advice and guidance will be given on the format and content of their APEL application.

A Selection Committee will appraise applications according to the published criteria and make recommendations for awarding commendations and citations to the University Teaching and Learning Committee for approval.

Drop-in sessions

Applicants who need 1:1 support may drop in to any of our upcoming sessions.

Teaching Excellence Awards Information Session

March 2021 (to be confirmed)

This session will provide an overview of the Teaching and Learning Award schemes offered at UQ, and tips for structuring an effective expression of interest.

Learn more and register now

Writing a Teaching and Learning Award Application Workshop

This session is open to shortlisted applicants only, and will be held in June 2021.

The purpose of this workshop is to provide applicants with guidance on the format and content of their application and discuss tips for a successful application.

Award Writing Session

This session is open to shortlisted applicants only, and will be held in July 2021.

The purpose of this session is to provide applicants with time and space to work on their draft application, with ITaLI staff and previous UQ award winners available to provide advice and clarification.

View previous award winners