Call for Host Proposals

2027 NCA Institute for Faculty Development Host CFP

The NCA Institute for Faculty Development supports undergraduate faculty in communication pedagogy and scholarship of teaching and learning, including ongoing changes and issues in Communication theory and research. This five-day virtual conference, supported by NCA’s Teaching & Learning Council, offers participants the opportunity to connect with fellow undergraduate scholar-teachers and learn from leading scholars in the field.

Originally aimed at attracting faculty from smaller colleges and universities, the Institute has been hosted by Hope College (Holland, MI), Randolph-Macon College (Ashland, VA), Denison University (Granville, OH), University of Nevada, Reno (online), and Duquesne University (Pittsburgh and online).

The Institute is held annually at a selected host institution. Up to 70 participants are chosen through a competitive application process. All attendees at the time of application must be NCA members.

Proposals are being accepted for hosting upcoming iterations of the NCA Institute for Faculty Development. Proposals for one-, two-, and three-year hosts are accepted, and multi-year hosts are preferred. The 2027 Host will receive $10,000 (subject to Legislative Assembly approval), and Host applicants may propose a virtual or in-person event; hosts must return any unused funds. Please see the “Event Description and Host Expectations” section for a general description of the Institute and other expectations of hosts.

Proposal Components

Institutions interested in hosting the NCA Institute for Faculty Development should complete a proposal for review by the Teaching and Learning Council. Proposal deadlines are listed at the end of this document. Proposals should contain the following:

1. A one-page, single-spaced cover letter

A one-page, single-spaced cover letter with the name of the college/university, the name of the proposal submitter, contact information for the submitter, detailing how the institute addresses the NCA Strategic Plan and IDEA framework.

2. A narrative of no more than single-spaced three pages

A narrative of no more than single-spaced three pages that addresses the following:

Rationale for hosting the NCA Institute for Faculty Development.
Resources currently available for hosting the NCA Institute for Faculty Development (virtual conference proposals should focus on technology and staff availability).
Tentative list of topics (inc. learning outcomes) to be covered by session facilitators, including IDEA topics. Topics should be aligned with NCA’s strategic plan.
Tentative list of 20 diverse possible session facilitators with affiliations and email addresses.
Principal organizer and abbreviated CV that includes affiliation, phone number, and email address.
List of co-organizers and/or key staff involved in the planning, organization, or management of the event, along with their roles in the event, affiliations, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Expected number of participants.
Marketing plan (website, flyers, emails, targeted messaging, etc.) with deadlines, ensuring that an optimally diverse audience is reached with Institute information.

3. A detailed budget

A detailed budget explaining how NCA funds will be used, any participant costs expected, if any (registration fee, etc.), and any matching funds available (if applicable).

4. Upon completion of the Institute

Upon completion of the Institute, list assessment/programs for the participants to achieve the following learning outcomes:

Learning Outcomes

Design innovative, evidence-based communication pedagogy and student-centered learning experiences that measurably support student success and advance NCA’s strategic teaching standards.
Evaluate inclusive curricula, assignments, and assessment practices that systematically embed NCA’s IDEA principles to promote equity, access, and belonging for diverse student bodies.
Integrate emerging communication research, theories, and industry trends into undergraduate instruction to prepare students for effective engagement in diverse workplaces and communities.
Organize collaborative professional networks and mentoring frameworks that cultivate leadership, foster educator community-building as a cohort, and drive NCA’s long-term goals for disciplinary vitality.

Event Description and Host Expectations

The NCA Institute for Faculty Development is typically formatted as a five-day event, with sessions beginning on Monday and ending on Friday.

To accommodate attendees on either the semester system or quarter system, the Institute cannot start before Monday, June 15, 2027; must finish by July 31, 2027; and cannot overlap with any other NCA event.

Participants are expected to attend sessions every day.

Traditionally, the Institute has a “Scholar-in-Residence,” a faculty member who meets with participants in a mentoring/coaching role, but who may or may not facilitate a session. The “Scholar-in-Residence” should be accessible throughout the day and make time for scheduled meetings upon request.

It is expected that hosts will be engaged with the NCA Research Department throughout the planning process.

Processes and expectations will be explained in further detail during a planning meeting between the host and the NCA Research Department. Host expectations include, but are not limited to, the following:

Using a new or existing university account for the event’s income and expenses.

Identifying seminar topics, diverse faculty facilitators, and the Scholar-in-Residence, consistent with NCA’s IDEA goals and strategic plan.

Creating an event program, executing the topics list, and accomplishing the learning outcomes.

IDEA-oriented marketing/promotion, in collaboration with NCA National Office.

Providing the names, current addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and W-9 forms (if applicable) to NCA for payment of facilitators and Scholar in Residence.

Designing, disseminating, and analyzing a participant feedback survey within four weeks of completion of the institute.

Sharing the results with the participants.

Providing a final report within six weeks of the event’s closing that lists the names, locations, and affiliations of participants; goals, objectives, and strategies; outcomes; opportunities for improvement; feedback survey results; and final budget figures.

The NCA National Office may follow up with participants over subsequent years after the Institute regarding its benefits and results

Host Proposal Review Rubric

The NCA-IFFD Review Committee will use the following rubric to evaluate host proposals. Proposals will be scored out of 50 points, with particular attention to alignment with NCA’s strategic plan, IDEA goals, faculty development outcomes, and host readiness.

Criteria	Excellent	Good	Adequate	Limited	Points
1. Alignment with NCA Strategic Plan and IDEA Goals	The proposal demonstrates clear, intentional, and comprehensive integration of NCA strategic priorities and IDEA principles throughout program design, topics, recruitment, and assessment.	Strong alignment with most strategic and IDEA priorities.	Moderate alignment; connections are present but underdeveloped.	Minimal or unclear alignment.	10
2. Quality of Learning Outcomes and Program Design	Learning outcomes are measurable, innovative, and clearly linked to faculty development, teaching excellence, inclusion, and disciplinary advancement. Program structure strongly supports achievement of outcomes.	Outcomes are clear and mostly measurable; the program supports outcomes well.	Outcomes are present but lack specificity or assessment plans.	Outcomes are unclear, incomplete, or poorly connected to programming.	10
3. Facilitator Plan and Scholarly Expertise	Proposed facilitators represent diverse institutional, professional, and demographic perspectives; topics reflect current disciplinary trends and pedagogical innovations.	Facilitators are qualified and reasonably diverse.	Facilitator list demonstrates some expertise but limited diversity or topical breadth.	Facilitator plan is weak, incomplete, or lacks diversity.	10
4. Feasibility and Institutional Capacity	Strong evidence of institutional support, staffing, technology if virtual, facilities if in person, logistics, and organizational readiness. Timeline is realistic and detailed.	Capacity is evident with minor gaps.	Adequate resources are described, but some implementation concerns remain.	Significant concerns regarding host capacity or logistics.	10
5. Marketing, Recruitment, Assessment, and Budget	Comprehensive marketing and recruitment plan designed to reach diverse audiences; detailed assessment strategy; budget is realistic, transparent, and demonstrates effective stewardship of NCA funds.	Solid plan with minor omissions.	Adequate plan but limited detail or justification.	Significant weaknesses in outreach, assessment, or budget planning.	10

Recommended scoring guidance: 45–50 points = Outstanding proposal and highly recommended for selection; 40–44 points = Strong proposal and recommended if funding and scheduling permit; 35–39 points = Promising proposal, with revisions recommended before selection; below 35 points = Not recommended for funding at this time.

Proposal Deadlines

NCA will accept proposals for one-, two-, and three-year hosts. Proposal deadline for hosting the 2027 NCA Institute for Faculty Development: December 10, 2026

Applicants wishing to submit a multi-year funding proposal need to submit only one proposal.

Contact Information

To submit an application to host this institute, please visit the apply link below.

Apply to Host the Institute

For questions about hosting the event, please email Dr. Pallavi Guha, NCA Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement, at academic@natcom.org.