Small Grants, Big Impact: Outcomes of an Internal Excellence in Education Grant Program

Abstract

Evidence-based innovation is essential for advancing veterinary medical education, yet dedicated funding for educational research remains limited. In 2016, the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine established the Excellence in Education Grant (EEG) program to provide competitive intramural funding for faculty-led educational research. This Best Practice report evaluates the first 8 years of the program and compares its outcomes with similar initiatives in human medical education. Administrative records, financial data, and project reports from seven funding cycles (2016–2024) were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes evaluated included project completion, achievement of objectives, curricular implementation, creation of durable educational resources, scholarly dissemination, fiscal utilization, and investigator perceptions of the program. Twenty-three projects received a total of $287,836 in funding (mean award: $12,416); 21 projects proceeded to implementation. Of these, 81% achieved their stated objectives and 71% resulted in sustained curricular adoption, including integration of point-of-care ultrasound, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, antimicrobial stewardship, and faculty development initiatives. Nearly half of funded projects generated durable educational resources including simulation models and digital learning tools. Thirty-eight percent of projects produced conference presentations or peer-reviewed publications. Faculty consistently described the program as an important catalyst for educational innovation, scholarship, and professional development, particularly for clinician-educators. Although project timelines frequently required extension, these challenges informed subsequent improvements in program oversight and fiscal management. The EEG program demonstrates that relatively small institutional seed grants can generate substantial returns through sustained curricular innovation, educational scholarship, and faculty development, providing a practical and replicable best practice model for advancing veterinary medical education.