Action Teams and Demonstration Projects should further the goals of NN21 to:

• Meet the lifelong learning needs of Nebraskans in 2020
• Provide Nebraskans with access to affordable learning opportunities, and
• Create communities of learning.

Currently, Action Teams and Demonstration Projects are exploring seven topics. These topics emerged during Phase I planning, when over 800 Nebraskans discussed their preferred vision for higher education in 2020. The seven main topics (or "targets") are

1. Diversity
2. Distance Education
3. Faculty Rewards and Values
4. Human-Capital Development
5. Sustainable Communities
6. Curriculum
7. Food Systems

Action Teams and Demonstration Projects should:

• Create education and community partnerships
• Seek collaboration across all higher-education institutions in Nebraska
• Include external stakeholders (citizens, business leaders, K-12 schools, government, communities)
• Include higher-education stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, and administrators)
• Reflect racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in membership
• Create opportunities for learning
• Create safe places for risk-taking and experimentation
• Look at ways efforts can become sustainable and/or replicable

Action Teams are organized to explore an issue, convene diverse participants around a common goal, encourage experimentation, find new ways that work, and increase collective learning. Action Teams engage people in collective learning that will influence change in institutional policies, procedures, programs, funding, structures, and culture. Ideally, Action Teams have co-leaders, one representing external stakeholders and the other representing higher education.

Demonstration Projects are trying new ways that work and informing Action Teams with what they are learning. They are experimenting with innovations that can be replicated in other places within Nebraska, and possibly in other states. Demonstration Projects may be funded by NN21 or by individual Action Teams.

Both Action Teams and Demonstration Projects are designed to bring about change in higher education institutions in Nebraska in response to the learning needs of citizens. It is expected that efforts will have sustainability after NN21 seed monies are expended.

Proposals must address the following:

1. Ways in which your Action Team or Demonstration Project will further the goals of NN21.
2. Goals and objectives for your team or project; expected outcomes.
3. Action plan for achieving your goals and objectives, including who will be involved and what kinds of partnering and collaborating you intend to do.
4. How you will assess progress toward meeting your goals and objectives. How your Action Team or Demonstration Project will contribute to long-term institutional change in higher education. (These changes may include new policies, procedures, programs, structures, funding, and culture.)
5. Budget needs (not to exceed a two-year period).
6. Time Line.
7. How your Action Team or Demonstration Project's efforts will be sustained or replicated after NN21 funding expires.

Suggested proposal length: 3-5 pages.

If you intend to submit a proposal, please contact:

Ellen S. Russell, Director
Nebraska Network 21
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
309 Biochemistry Hall
P.O. Box 830701
Lincoln, NE 68583-0701

(402) 472-6621
erussell1@unl.edu

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