AMS Mini-Grant Proposal Application

The Research Mini-Grant Program seeks to encourage research that contributes to the field of Montessori education. Funding up to $3,500 per Mini-Grant is available for individuals whose research shows potential for bringing fresh insights to the practice, theory, history, or effectiveness of Montessori education. The Research Mini-Grants Program is administered by the AMS Research Committee with the Mini-Grants Subcommittee authorized to review and recommend grant recipients.

The Mini-Grants include two categories:
- Funding research studies related to Montessori education
- Providing support for the presentation of Montessori research at non-Montessori conferences

Dollars Available: Grants can range from $200 to $3,500, contingent on available AMS research funds and the scope of proposals received.

Deadline: Proposals will be accepted until March 30, 2022, 11:59 PM (ET).

Eligibility: Any researcher with a postgraduate degree may apply for the award, or any individuals pursuing an advanced degree and currently enrolled in a masters or doctoral degree program. Awards will be given only to members in good standing of the American Montessori Society. If the proposal is from two or more researchers, at least one member of the research team must be an AMS member. AMS employees and Board Members are ineligible for the award.

Funding Priorities: Although research must focus on Montessori education and practice, the study can be grounded in any academic discipline and may use any valid research approach. Candidates should be interested in undertaking further research on Montessori education beyond that being supported currently. Funding will be granted only to expenses either directly associated with the research project OR to the dissemination of the research project at a conference and in a future publication. Suggested topics are listed in the Research and Publications area of the American Montessori Society website: Resources for Montessori Research Provided by AMS.

General Instructions: Please provide all information requested in the proposal. All proposals must be in English. No additions or revisions will be accepted after the proposal deadline. Prior to the proposal submission, applicants are welcomed to consult with the AMS Research Coordinator, or the Chair of the Mini-Grant Subcommittee, with questions about their proposal or the appropriateness of their research study.

Awards and Conditions: All proposals will be blind reviewed by a selection committee created by the AMS Research Committee. Basic criteria for selection include the importance of the research question to understanding Montessori education, the quality of the research approach, and the feasibility of the work plan. Applicants will be notified of a decision within 45 days of the submission deadline. The award will then be announced to the larger AMS community.

Examples of Potential Grant Awards:
Research Studies: The mini-grant may be used to fund an entire research project or a discrete part of the study. An illustrative but not exhaustive list of possible studies includes the collection and analysis of quantitative data; carrying out a classroom ethnography or other qualitative study; historical research on Montessori; conducting a survey of Montessori educators and analyzing findings, and developing a pilot study of Montessori practice.

Note: No more than 25% of the requested funds can be allocated to general-purpose equipment, facilities, or administrative activities.

Conference Presentations: The grant can be used by the primary investigator(s) for registration and/or travel expenses for a conference presentation at a professional organization such as the American Educational Research Association, the Society for Research in Child Development, or the History of Education Society.

Travel for Data Collection: The grant also may be used for travel expenses if data collection is involved. Examining records of the American Montessori Society in the AMS Archives at the Dodd Center at the University of Connecticut, or interviewing administrators in public Montessori schools in Cincinnati, are examples of data collection needs involving travel.

Researchers interested in applying for a mini-grant must complete all information requested. Incomplete proposals will not be considered. Proposals are to be submitted through this form. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Sharon Damore (sjdamore@aol.com) or Dr. Elizabeth Park (epark@chaminade.edu). Please indicate AMS Mini-Grant Proposal on the subject line when emailing.

Cover Sheet: Complete the American Montessori Society Mini-Grant Research Proposal Cover Sheet. If more than one person is involved in the project, complete a cover sheet for each individual.

Résumé or Curriculum Vitae: Attach a résumé or curriculum vitae. If more than one person is involved in the project, submit résumé/curriculum vitae for each individual. This document should include the following information: name, current position and title, education and training, previous relevant work experience, scholarly honors or awards, and a list of representative scholarly publications and/or presentations in chronological order.

Research Project Abstract: In a single-spaced paragraph of no more than 200 words, summarize the substantive focus and research design of your proposed project and its contribution to Montessori education and practice. This description should provide a clear and concise overview of the proposed work. This description will be used in announcing the award to the greater AMS community.

Narrative Discussion of Research Project: In no more than four double-spaced pages (1000 words) describe your research project. Please address the following four points in writing the narrative. An additional one-page maximum single-spaced bibliography of primary and secondary sources most important to your research should be appended. Please do not include any identifying information in your narrative, either in the body of the text or in a header or footer.

Principal Research Questions, Goals, and Significance: Describe the research questions that are the focus of your project. Is there a specific problem or need that is being addressed? Place the project in context and outline the primary relevant literature. What is the goal of the research? What is the significance of the research in furthering insights into Montessori education and practice?

Methods: Please explain your research design, the methods of gathering and analyzing data, and interpretation techniques. If human subjects are involved in the research, it is the responsibility of the researcher to fulfill all of the necessary requirements of their home institution (including, if needed, submission to an Institutional Review Board) in providing adequate protection and informed uncoerced consent.

Timeline: Please attach a timeline identifying the research project’s start date, key milestones, and completion date.

Results: Please explain how the results of the research project will be utilized including how the results will be published or otherwise made available to the public. A final one-page report of the research project is required at the end of the award period. Any research completed with the assistance of the Mini-Research Grant should acknowledge in subsequent publications that funding for the research was completed with the assistance of the American Montessori Society Mini-Grant Research Program.

Budget: Please submit a budget for the amount requested by completing the attached Budget Sheet. Note: No more than 25% of the requested funds can be allocated to general-purpose equipment, facilities, or administrative activities. Furthermore, funds can be used to purchase no more than 25% of the total cost of general use computer equipment such as printers, computers, etc. Upon completion of the project, the general-purpose equipment can be transferred to use by the applicant for their own use with no residual value to AMS.

Exception: specialized equipment or tablets to be used exclusively for conducting the research can be considered as a cost of the project at the discretion of the Research Committee.

Complete Document to be Submitted: The Cover Sheet (one page) Research Project Abstract (one page), the Narrative Discussion of the Research Project (four pages), the Bibliography (one page), and the Budget (one page) should be sent as a single document (eight pages total). In addition, please submit a résumé or curriculum vitae for each principal investigator.

Year-end Expenditure and Abstract Report: All winners will be expected to submit a report to outline how the money was spent, including receipts, and to write abstract summarizing results from the funded research project.

Travel Expenses

If going to more than one destination, please detail those locations and travel expenses for each.