The CU System Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sprint Grant: AI for Teaching & Learning is focused on improving course outcomes using AI with goals of supporting and accelerating innovative teaching practices that leverage AI to enhance student learning. This grant is designed to provide faculty with the resources and time needed to develop and implement AI-driven pedagogical strategies for the specific purpose of increasing student performance relative to the learning goals/outcomes of a single course. The 'sprint' structure is designed to meet the pace of AI evolution, and in doing so, foster an environment of experimentation and growth with meaningful, of-the-moment outcomes toward improving student learning.
Eligibility
Full-time CU tenured or tenure-track faculty and full-time instructional series faculty are eligible to apply.
Grant Amount & Stucture
The grant is up to $20,000 and may be used to cover project expenses, which can include support toward one course buyout. The grant must be executed with two standard academic semesters of receipt, allowing recipients to execute potential development activities in one semester and to execute their course the subsequent semester.
There will be three rounds of grants: the first call in Spring 2026, the second call in Fall 2026, and the final call in Spring 2027. There will be up to ten grants awarded per round. A faculty member may only be awarded one grant across the three rounds, but, until awarded, may apply in each round.
Course Eligibility
The grant is open to any academic discipline but must be in regular courses. Special topics, independent study, honors thesis, graduation thesis and dissertation hours are not eligible.
Proposal Requirements
Proposals must contain the following information and adhere to the following format.
- Cover Sheet, which includes (one page):
- project title;
- author’s name, position title, department, campus, phone number, and email address;
- indicate faculty title (only full-time CU tenured or tenure-track faculty and full-time instructional series faculty are eligible to apply);
- class name(s) and class number(s)—submissions must pertain to a regular class—special topics, independent study, honors thesis, graduation thesis and dissertation hours are not eligible; and,
- brief description and purpose for the proposed work.
- Proposal Narrative, which includes (three pages or less):
- a description of how the proposed use of AI will increase student performance relative to the learning goals/outcomes of a single course;
- a contextualization of your project within the AI for pedagogy in higher education literature;
- the methods that you will utilize to measure/demonstrate learner outcomes;
- a description of how your project would be replicable in other courses or disciplines, if successful;
- a description of the expertise you have to execute the proposed project and how you will gain that expertise if you don’t already have it; and,
- a list of the AI tools you will use and assurance you will have access to those tools for your course.
- Budget and Justification (one page)
- Recipients can receive up to $20,000 to cover expenses, which can include support toward one course buyout.
- A complete and itemized budget table that includes the precise dollar amount being requested and compelling justification for the requests is required. Please clearly label the expenses to be covered by the Sprint Grant and other sources of funding.
- Project Workplan (one page)
- The grant must be executed within two standard academic semesters following receipt of award, allowing for potential development activities in one semester and execution in your course the subsequent semester.
- A clear complete timeline of project activities and the outcomes to be accomplished is required.
- IRB (Institutional Review Board) Protocols
- Include a sentence in your proposal acknowledging that you have read and understand the following language pertaining to the IRB exemption provisions of this grant-supported work: "Sprint Grant projects will typically occur within educational settings and practices, and therefore will not require a separate IRB protocol. All CU campuses treat this type of course‑embedded work as exempt when it fits within the federal 45 CFR 46.104 framework for minimal‑risk research conducted in established educational settings."
- Supporting Letters
- One supporting letter from a faculty member that discusses the teaching challenges of the proposed course and potential for improvement with the proposed use of AI.
- One supporting letter from a department/school/college leader discussing the record of the proposer as a teacher.
- If you're requesting a course buyout, one supporting letter from your chair or dean as described below.
- CV (abbreviated, no more than two pages)
Course Buyout & Supporting Letter
If you are requesting a course buyout, you must include with your submission a supporting letter from your chair or dean stating the amount required for a course buyout and that if the project is funded, your course buyout will be supported. In addition, the supporting letter must guarantee that you will be assigned to teach the proposed course in the proposed semester.
Funding Limitations
- Salary support for students (e.g., research assistants or other student assistants) must be explicitly justified in the proposal.
- Funds may be used towards the purchase of equipment or materials (including computer software or hardware). Please indicate in the proposal why they are essential to the project, who will be responsible for them, and how they will be used after the project is completed.
- Funds may NOT be awarded for activities that have already occurred or will occur within two months of the proposal submission deadline.
- The grant must be executed within two standard academic semesters following the award.
- All funds must be spent in accordance with University IT, fiscal and procurement policies.
Selection Process
A system-wide advisory committee, comprised of faculty from across the campuses who are actively engaged in AI teaching and learning practices, will review proposals and submit its recommendation of funding to the president. The committee will convene in April and grant notifications will be emailed by April 24, 2026.
Post Award Reporting
The final requirements will consist of a digital poster and a short final report, which will be hosted on the CU System Office of Academic Affairs website. Additionally, the awardee must present a seminar on their work for their campus. The final report should contain evidence of the seminar completion, a budget report, and a summary of impact and outcomes.
Proposal Submission Form
The current deadline for submissions is March 30, 2026.