Abstract
This paper contains a review of literature on efforts at small institutions to pursue sponsored programs and of related resources, efforts, and attitudes of 175 such schools from which 47 responses were received. Few relevant articles were found. Responses to a mail survey were from independent (51%), church-affiliated (45%), and state-supported (4%) schools, at which average undergraduate enrollment was 574, with a mean of 39 full-time and 22 part-time faculty and an average annual operating budget of $5.7 million. About 50% had a staff person responsible for securing sponsored programs. A 30% success rate for solicited funding, typically involving educational programs and primarily from government and foundation sources, was reported. Perceived success rates for research and program-funding solicitations were 10% and 30%, respectively. While high importance was ascribed to efforts to solicit funds, over 80% of surveyed schools had no policy governing compensation for operating a funded program. Development of policy, stimulation of soliciting sponsored programs, and encouragement of faculty research appear needed.
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