The Badging and Badge Systems Development Competition is now closed. Click here to view the winners.

How to Apply

How do I apply to the Digital Media and Learning Research Competition on Badging and Badge Systems Development?

First, create an account on FastApps.

Go to FastApps and click the link that says "register".  Provide your full name and email address where prompted and click "submit".  An activation email will be sent to the email address provided-- login to your email and open the Fastapps activation message.  Then click the "Activate Account" link.

Then, follow the step-by-step application process (if your proposal focuses on existing or historical badging, reputation, assessment, or more theoretical research and you will not need a research partner please skip to Step 2):

Step 1: Identify Potential Research Partners

Please select your potential research partner(s) from our list of Competition winners http://dmlcompetition.net/Competition/4/winners.php.

Once you have identified some projects you might like to partner with please follow the Stage 1 and Stage 2 application links to learn more about their projects.

Step 2: Submit a Letter of Intent Application

The Letter of Intent will be used to determine whether your proposed research projects meets the parameters of the call. Please include an abstract of your proposal (250 word limit) briefly explaining your choice of potential research partners (where relevant) to help us get a sense of the scope and goals of your project. If determined that your proposed research is in line with the CFP and goals of the Badge Development Research Competition, the DML Competition Team will contact your requested research partner on your behalf (where relevant). Please do not attempt to contact potential research partners on your own. Each research partner has the discretion to determine which projects they want to work with. If your project is chosen as a partner or seeks funding for research on badging and badge development systems more generally, you will be contacted to follow up and provide additional information and to complete a final application. Please note that a letter of support from your research partner (where relevant) is a requirement of the final application.

After you have narrowed your interest to two or three projects please login to FastApps and click on the appropriate link to complete a Letter of Intent application form:

Enter your name, organization, and contact details. Use the drop down menus to select your potential research partners (please note: you will be unable to indicate your preference at this time, however, you will be able to select your first, second, and third choice when you complete the final application). In the text box please provide an abstract describing the scope and goals of your proposal and a brief explanation regarding your choice of potential research partners.

Please note: if your research project does not require pairing with a potential research partner, please use the dropdown menu to select “no research partner” and check the box on the Letter of Intent application that states, "This research project does not require pairing with a DML Competition grantee research partner". Once you have submitted you will be sent a link to the Final Application.

Step 3: Get letters of support from potential research partners

If your Letter of Intent is accepted, we will contact you with the contact information for your prospective research partner and provide a link to the Final Application.

Please note: Applicants that do not require research partners should skip this step.

Step 4- Submit Final Application

Login to FastApps first and follow the A Digital Media and Learning Research Competition on Badging and Badge Systems Development final application link provided through email to begin your final application.

Enter your name, organization, and contact details. Use the drop down menus to select your potential research partners in order of preference:

Using the text box and “choose file” upload buttons please submit your:

• Proposal outline, including rationale and work plan, no more than 1500 words;
• Public forum outline, no more than 250 words;
• Budget and budget narrative for proposal;
• Budget and budget narrative for public forum; and
• Letters of support from your potential research partners.

Click the “Submit” button.  After you submit you will be able to log on and edit your application until the final deadline at 5pm on October 1st, 2012.