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Innovation in Education Awards

In support of the Plan for Pitt and its continued goal of advancing academic excellence at the University of Pittsburgh, the Provost’s Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence (ACIE) again invites proposals from University faculty for projects to enhance teaching by fostering new instructional approaches, techniques, or activities that represent advances over existing methods to promote and support student learning.

We encourage proposals from all schools and disciplines, and from a wide range of perspectives, approaches, and ideas. While we aim to provide flexibility for applicants, we offer the following as examples of broad thematic areas to consider in framing the direction of applications.

Examples of broad thematic areas to consider:

  • Promoting and supporting student skill development in critical thinking, communication, leadership, data analysis, intercultural and global competency, collaboration, or teamwork
  • Optimizing technology - both hardware and software applications - to enhance learning.
  • Broadening academic opportunities for new or nontraditional student populations or in nontraditional settings
  • Enhancing belonging, equitable access, and learning outcomes for all students
  • Discipline-based projects and learning
  • Innovative approaches for students to participate in community-engaged learning (e.g., service-learning)

Specific areas of interest for this year’s proposals:

Beyond these broad thematic areas, this year’s call strongly encourages faculty to explore ideas that focus on:

  • The application of technologies, including generative AI, to support or enhance student learning or assessment of learning
  • Creative approaches to support and facilitate constructive and meaningful dialogue and discourse across differences (including personal, demographic, and disciplinary/professional) among students
  • Experiential learning, encouraging hands-on, immersive, reflective experiences in and outside of traditional classroom setting
  • Student engagement, especially in challenging learning environments, includes but is not limited to, high-enrollment courses and asynchronous courses.

All full- and part-time faculty members at all University of Pittsburgh campuses are eligible to submit proposals.

View Innovation in Education Awards funded projects.

Request for Proposals

Call for proposals and application information:

Deadline for application submission: 11:59 p.m., Sunday, February 16, 2025

For additional information about the Innovation in Education Awards, contact faculty@pitt.edu.

Note: Before submission, because the Teaching Center reviews all applications for pedagogical and educational technology feasibility, the Council strongly encourages applicants to contact the University Center for Teaching and Learning for consultation regarding developing their proposals. Contact teaching@pitt.edu with any questions or concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to submit a proposal?

All full-time and part-time faculty at the five University of Pittsburgh campuses are eligible to submit proposals. Collaborative proposals are encouraged.

What kinds of instructional projects are funded through the Innovation In Education Awards program?

Funded projects primarily enhance teaching at the University of Pittsburgh and/or foster improved instructional approaches; are adaptable in other instructional settings; foster collaboration among faculty from different departments/units/campuses in the development of innovative approaches to teaching; develop innovative course materials; and/or create significant curricular improvements.

How many proposals are typically received each year, and how many are funded?

The average number of proposals submitted varies slightly from year-to-year; and the number of funded proposals is approximately one third of those submitted annually.

Is the proposed project required to include instructional technology?

No; proposed projects should focus on the objective of the awards program, it is not simply a program highlighting instructional technology.

Are there any limitations on the kinds of budget items that can be funded?

Yes. Unacceptable items include the following: travel and maintenance costs for participation at professional meetings; subscriptions and professional journal costs; editorial assistance; and release time, except for faculty on 12-month base salaries.

Items typically funded by a department are also discouraged. (See the current RFP for a description of the Budget and Budget Justification.)

Where can I get help with designing and costing a proposal?

The University Center for Teaching and Learning can be helpful in providing comprehensive services to assist faculty in the application of effective teaching (for example, instructional design and development support for the creation, redesign or enhancement of courses and programs); and design and development of teaching materials, including the integration of instructional media and computer technology. Please visit the Teaching Center's website for additional information.

Also Pitt Information Technology (Pitt IT) can assist faculty in planning for the effective use of technology, including hardware and software analysis, as well as training. Visit the Pitt IT website for additional information.

Can examples of successful projects that describe the “criteria for success” be reviewed?

A summary of previous years’ awards is provided on the ACIE website under Funded Projects. Examples of a range of previously funded proposals are also available for review. Please contact faculty@pitt.edu to acquire past copies of proposals.

Can a second proposal be submitted for continued funding of a successful project?

Yes, but preference is given to projects/project directors that have not been funded previously under this program.