Quality Improvement and Development Funding (QuID)
Established in 2012, the DCU Quality Improvement and Development Fund (QuID) is an open funding call to support community-led quality enhancement initiatives across the University that will impact our staff, students and stakeholders.
The call is open to academic and professional staff (permanent, part-time and contract staff are invited to apply). The call embraces Collective Leadership as a core principle, recognising that staff from across all areas, grades and professions can be empowered to identify opportunities for improvement, pursue new ideas and effect change. Whilst we encourage the involvement of students, please note that staff members must make and oversee each submission and project.
A limited amount of funding is made available annually and each year, the Quality Promotion Committee selects a theme for the call. For details on this year's theme and further information on the application process, please see details in the below sections.
The Quality and Institutional Insights Office was thrilled to host our inaugural QuID Funding Showcase Event in December 2024. This milestone gathering celebrated the achievements of DCU’s Quality Improvement and Development Fund (QuID). Attendees enjoyed insightful presentations from the 2024 QuID funding recipients, highlighting the innovative outcomes and impacts of their AI-focused projects. Here is a link to some of the AI-focused projects.
Some Previous Funded Projects
QuID Funding Call 2025
Fostering Global Engagement
Engagement is integral to DCU’s DNA. This year’s QuID funding call emphasises DCU’s commitment to global engagements and partnerships, and to supporting our international students, stakeholders and communities.
The call aims to leverage the diverse strengths of the DCU community to advance our strategic commitments to global engagement through our research, teaching, support and engagement activities. Proposals involving our ECIU partners are particularly welcomed. We also encourage projects that involve students, however, a staff member must make and oversee these submissions and projects. We are seeking submissions under several key topics as listed below:
-
International Student and Staff Experience
For example:
- Develop a programme, opportunity, or support that enhances the integration, experiences or well-being of our international students and staff.
-
Culturally responsive teaching, evaluation and assessment
For example:
- Develop a resource for faculty to implement teaching, evaluation and assessment practices that reflect the diversity of our student body
- Innovate curricula or co-curricular content to integrate global perspectives (including cultural, political and social-economical diversity)
-
Global engagement
For example:
- Pursue an opportunity for a new or enhanced relationship with an international institution, organisation, or industry to enhance collaborative and learning opportunities and/or resource sharing.
- Explore global collaborative and engaged research practices (citizen science/PPI) to augment the global relevance and reach of DCU research.
-
Global campus
For example:
- Develop an activity or event (educational, sporting, or cultural) on campus to promote cultural diversity, understanding, inclusion, and community spirit.
-
Global communications/reach
For example:
- Explore ways to share our successes and expand our reach to a global audience, enhancing DCU’s impact and reputation.
- Develop activities that promote the open sharing of research data and outputs to increase the international reach of our work.
QuID Principles
Submissions should align with one or more of the core principles of QuID (to include quality enhancement at a minimum):
- Quality Enhancement: The continuous process of improving our practices, policies, and outcomes. This includes fostering innovation, incorporating feedback, and implementing changes to enhance the overall quality of our education and the student experience.
- Collective Leadership: The idea of ‘leading where you are’. Staff at all levels and from all areas across DCU are encouraged and empowered to identify opportunities and pursue new and innovative ideas.
- Collaboration: Efforts that involve multiple academic departments, disciplines, or professional/support units within an institution. This type of engagement aims to integrate diverse perspectives and expertise, create synergies and share resources.
- Engagement and Communication: Strategic efforts to inform, share and engage both internal stakeholders and external audiences about various initiatives, programs, successes, opportunities, and events.
How and when do I apply?
The application form is available here.
Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section on this webpage before submitting an application.
Completed application forms should be submitted on or before 31 March 2025. If you have any queries before submission, please contact Fiona Dwyer (fiona.dwyer@dcu.ie).
The following criteria will be taken into consideration when allocating the funding:
- A clear and concise overview of the project aims and objectives
- How the project will contribute to the overall theme identified in the call
- How the project aligns with one or more of the QuID principles
- How the project will contribute to quality enhancement at DCU, including:
- Information on the potential to make a clear contribution to quality in the applicant(s)' work area as well as the broader university
- The potential for the project to be replicated, mainstreamed or have impact for broader audiences
- Alignment with broader strategic objectives and initiatives
- Alignment with the outcomes of quality assurance processes and activities
- Realistic and achievable costings within the timeframe
- Clear times and project goals
When will the next call launch, and will a decision be made?
The call will be announced on XXXXXXX
A decision will be communicated to each applicant on or before \XXXX
Who can apply for funding?
Applications are welcome from all members of the DCU staff community across all of our campuses, including part-time and contract staff. Whilst we encourage the involvement of students, please note that staff members must make and oversee submissions.
It is important to note that this is a competitive process, supported by a limited budget. It is anticipated that the budget for 2025/26 project will be €30,000; projects should be costed, and no individual proposal should exceed €5,000.
What sort of projects might receive support?
The primary objective of this initiative is to provide funding to specific projects that will contribute to quality enhancements in the University. Projects must be aligned to the selected theme for that year.
QuID funding in 2025 is limited to projects which can be initiated and completed by the given time frame. Therefore, all expenses should be completed by the end of March 2026
Funds cannot be used to fund short-term contracts of employment.
Who reviews the QuID proposals?
A sub-committee of Quality Promotion Committee (QPC) will assess the applications and approve successful projects. The sub-committee will be chaired by the Director of Quality and Institutional Research. An additional member of staff, with expertise aligned to the selected theme, may be invited to join the sub-committee by the Chairperson.
QPC Membership is available here: http://www.dcu.ie/qpo/qpc_structure.shtml
Can I use my QuID Funding to recruit and pay DCU staff members?
QuID funding cannot be used to hire and employ DCU staff. This is due to both the tight timescale for the projects, and the administrative burden of additional or new employment contracts to complete projects.
What happens if I am successful?
The successful applicants should complete their project by the end of March 2026. The QuID funding will be provided to the relevant Head's budget code on receipt of paid invoices or equivalent by the date of project completion. Successful applicants are required to submit an interim report midway through the project and a completion report once the project has been completed. Completion reports will be published on the QPO website.
How is the project funded?
All monies awarded for the project must be claimed in one payment before the end of March 2026. Purchase of goods or services should be paid using the school/area budget code of the nominated Head in the project proposal. Once the project is completed proof of payment in the form of receipts or paid invoices must be provided to: Fiona Dwyer from the Quality and Institutional Insights Office so that an internal transfer of funds from the requested budget code can be transferred.
Successful QUID Projects for 2024
Successful QUID Projects for 2023
Successful QUID Projects for 2022
Successful QUID Projects in 2021
Successful QUID Projects in 2020
Successful QUID Projects in 2019
Successful QUID Projects in 2018
Successful QUID Projects in 2017
Successful QUID Projects in 2015
Successful QUID Projects in 2014
Library LED-lit display cabinet
In 2023 QuID funding helped acquire high-quality LED-lit display cabinets, enabling the Library to extend a DCU-wide programme of exhibitions and displays to the Cregan Library. We already have curated three major exhibitions in the O'Reilly Library, including currently 'Charles J. Haughey: Politics in a changing Ireland'.
The cabinets were received in August, just in time for our visually exciting 'Children's Books Ireland Collection' exhibition launched in September, which will be on display in the Cregan Library foyer until Easter. The exhibition celebrates DCU's ongoing partnership with Children's Books Ireland and features winners of the CBI annual awards, showcasing the breadth of themes, publishers, and age ranges in Irish children’s literature. This exhibition is a snapshot of the growing collection of almost 4,000 English and Irish titles available for consultation in DCU Special Collections & Archives in the O'Reilly Library.
The Library looks forward to using the new cabinets to bring an even greater variety of book and archival collections to the attention of the students, staff and members of the public who visit the Cregan Library.
Use of technology in the classroom
Prof. Vlad Glaveanu and Patrick Boylan from the School of Psychology obtained QUID Funding in 2023 to acquire VR headsets for a series of workshops with young people from secondary schools in north Dublin. The theme of these workshops is user innovation in the use of technology within the classroom. This project starts from the basic premise that we should involve students in imagining what technologies - like those that make virtual and immersive realities accessible - can offer teachers and learners alike. Young people are often more engaged with such technologies than their teachers are and this experience can be leveraged to find new and creative ways of enhancing education with the help of VR. In addition, empowering students to become agents in their own education is likely to positively impact their (technology-enhanced) learning and creativity. Some of the ideas coming out of these workshops will form the basis for a seminar on the real impact of virtual worlds in education, to be co-organised in 2024 by the School of Psychology at DCU and the Centre for the Science of Learning and Technology at the University of Bergen.
Your art, Your Choice participants
Over a period of 10 weeks in 2023, 13 DCU staff from across the University were engaged in a collaborative programme, to acquire new artwork for the DCU Art Collection. The participants were provided with acquisition knowledge and curatorial tools to facilitate an informed choice of new work.
Funded by DCU's QuID initiative, facilitator and artist Helen Barry was engaged to assist with the project and to introduce the group to artworks in the collection through Visual Thinking Strategies, a facilitation method used to create inclusive conversations, build confidence and support critical thinking. Helen oversaw the planning and coordination of the project and assisted the group with the development of a list of artists for the selection process.
"The Art facilitator was an excellent choice to lead us through the project, I felt empowered to discuss openly and contribute to the project."
"Meeting and working with a cross-section of colleagues across the University further added to the richness of the project, I would participate again in a heartbeat."
The artwork entitled Spreag was installed in DCU's main reception, on Glasnevin campus in September 2023. Further information on the project can be viewed here.
All Hallows Community Garden
After obtaining QuID funding in January, the All Hallows Community Garden was established and has since flourished into a vibrant hub of fresh produce and rich biodiversity.
Consisting of a polytunnel and numerous raised beds, the Community Garden has already seen 32 varieties of vegetables and plants grown on-site using the most sustainable and organic methods.
The Community Garden’s success is largely owed to the collaborative efforts of several departments and personnel at DCU and is maintained by Paddy Browne (Estates) and members of the Community Employment (CE) scheme. The initiative has allowed various external community members, including school groups, to come to the garden and learn the benefits of horticulture.
With the Community Garden’s first spring and summer seasons of growing now under its belt, plans to further engage with both the internal and external DCU communities are progressing - with hopes to further educate, inspire and encourage the ways of GIY (Grow It Yourself).
