Students as Partners Grant Program

• Grant submission form: Submission form for Fall 2024/Spring 2025 Applications: Due May 3, 2024

Area of Emphasis (2024-25): Exploring Teaching PAIRs (Partnership in AI Research)

While the CTL welcomes any and all applications, we are looking especially for projects that have the following general characteristics:

• Examining the use of generative AI in teaching or areas of productive intersection involving teaching, research, and student professional development 
• ​Discussing course-based or disciplinary-specific policies that inform how we provide learning opportunities for all students using or exploring generative AI
• ​Understanding how decisions around teaching impact the quality of learning for all students who build generative AI output into their work
• ​​Ensuring every student has access to and the ability to assess technologies (specifically, generative AI) that nourish and challenge them, both ethically and creatively, in their learning and in working with their peers. 

This means that the project should:

1. Be designed to improve student success at UT-Austin
2. Focus on making positive, innovative and ethical choices in instruction to benefit all students

What are "Students as Partners" grants?

The CTL is pleased to offer two grants (at a maximum of $2500 per grant) for "Students as Partners" work for the upcoming academic year. Please see our page, "Students as Partners Initiative" for more information about how we define this area of pedagogical innovation.

What kind of funding is available?

NEW: Each submission is eligible to receive up to $2500 per project. The CTL is offering this grant for Fall 2023 and Spring 2024 courses or initiatives. It is anticipated that the work will be completed within one academic term. Groups that have already received a SaP grant are welcome to reapply but first-time applicants will receive preferred consideration. 

In addition to related expenses, the funds of successful recipients are used to pay instructor and student partners. Grantees will be paid via a one-time payment.

Who is eligible to act as a "partner?"

All faculty members and instructors working on relevant teaching projects are eligible to participate in the students as partners grant program. Preference will be given to proposals that are not already being funded by existing CTL grant programs or Provost Teaching Fellows projects.

The program is restricted to part-time or full-time undergraduate students enrolled and continuing in a UT academic program. Students must remain in good academic standing throughout the duration of the program. Before submitting a proposal, please contact the CTL with additional questions about eligibility. 

How should I begin to assemble a viable proposal?

Faculty members and instructors interested in this program are encouraged to identify an undergraduate student partner or partners with whom they feel that they can collaborate. For example, students who have successfully completed a course that they have taught, a student they have worked with before, or a student who has expressed interest in collaborating with them would be ideal candidates. Aside from requesting that student partners be in good standing, the CTL will not vet or select student partners – this is the sole responsibility of the faculty or instructors - but we are happy to discuss possibilities in advance of submitting a proposal.

Once the student partner has been selected, the standard and nature of work should be established in partnership between the faculty or instructor and the student(s) to outline the responsibilities and scope of the collaboration. It is anticipated that the CTL will help facilitate the discussions and innovations that form the basis of the work.

What are the evaluative criteria for grant proposals?

Faculty members and instructors, along with a student partner or partners, should jointly complete the online application. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The strength of the partnership between the faculty member or instructor and student(s). (Is the student considered as a true collaborator and partner?).
• The scope and appropriateness of the project/initiative being proposed.
• The opportunities for rich, collaborative learning by both the faculty member or instructor and student(s).
• How the partners intend to communicate their work (via events organized by the CTL, blog posts, social media, and impact reports).

Members of the CTL will review proposals and make selections based on above criteria.

How do I apply? What is required for the application?

To help you get ready, here is the information we are requesting:

1. A list of course(s) and/or projects that will be the focus of the work.
2. Brief description of your idea for enhancing teaching and learning within your class[es] or projects and how the grant would help you realize this vision. [Max: 400 words].
3. Select how you would prefer to share the impact and outcomes of the work (see below).

What is the schedule for submission?

Proposals may be submitted through our webform. Submissions are due by May 3, 2024.

What ways can I give back to my UT colleagues?

We believe in paying things forward to the benefit of your colleagues at UT, so we are looking for ways for you to help others enhance their teaching and learning for the success of their students:

• Write a CTL News Post about what you learned.
• Co-present at a Teaching and Learning workshop with the CTL.
• Co-present within your department or college with the CTL.
• Provide examples of your work that could be placed within the CTL website.
• Be interviewed on camera by the CTL.

If I have further questions, whom do I contact?

For further questions, contact Matthew Russell