AI Curricular Innovation Grants is sponsored by Northern Illinois University (Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

AI Curricular Innovation Grants | Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning | Northern Illinois University Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning AI Curricular Innovation Grants In support of university goal Theme 3: Academic Excellence and Curricular Innovation and NIU's commitment to responsible integration of artificial intelligence in teaching and learning, the AI Curricular Innovation Grant Program will support faculty who redesign courses to incorporate AI in ways that strengthen student learning, engagement, and workforce readiness.

Applications for the summer 2026 curricular innovation grants are closed. Building on previous curricular innovation grants, these competitive summer grants support faculty who wish to redesign existing courses to meaningfully integrate artificial intelligence into course design, assignments, assessments, or instructional practices.

Priority will be given to high-enrollment undergraduate courses, particularly those that students need to take within a major or that are required to complete general studies requirements. These courses have the potential to impact a large number of students and help build AI literacy and responsible AI use across the NIU curriculum.

The program will be administered by the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) and is intended as a pilot initiative that may expand in future years based on results and participation. Grant recipients will receive: $5,000 faculty summer pay for summer course redesign work. If multiple faculty collaborate on redesigning the same course, the $5,000 will be shared among the participating faculty.

License of Microsoft 365 Copilot Premium for 1 year Up to $250 for instructional materials or tools Instructional design consultation and support from CITL staff The AI Curricular Innovation Grants aim to: Encourage thoughtful and responsible integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning Support faculty in redesigning courses to help students develop AI literacy and critical AI skills Course course learning to career development by helping students understand how AI is used in professional and disciplinary contexts Improve student learning and engagement through innovative pedagogical approaches Advance NIU’s leadership in AI-enabled education and workforce preparation Generate scalable teaching practices that can be shared across disciplines Examples of potential redesign efforts may include: Designing assignments that incorporate AI-assisted research, writing, or data analysis Teaching students how to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs Integrating AI tools relevant to specific disciplines Redesigning assessments to emphasize higher-order thinking in an AI-enabled environment Embedding ethical and responsible AI use into course instruction Grant recipients will be expected to: Redesign and teach the course during the next academic year using the AI-enhanced approach (Fall 2026 or Spring 2027) Collaborate with CITL staff on course design and development during summer 2026 Participate in at least one CITL consultation or design session Collaborate with the Office of Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation to collect evidence of impact, such as student feedback, learning outcomes, or assessment results Share outcomes with the NIU community, such as: Presenting at a CITL teaching event or workshop Contributing a brief case student or video highlighting the redesign These activities can help build a repository of AI-enhanced teaching practices at NIU that can benefit other faculty.

All full-time NIU faculty are eligible to apply, including: Tenured and tenure-track faculty All tenure/tenure-track, clinical, and research faculty on 9-month contracts and instructional faculty are eligible if they don't already have full-time summer contracts.

Priority will be given to proposals that focus on: High-enrollment undergraduate courses General education courses Required courses to fulfill major requirements Graduate courses may be considered if the redesign clearly supports career-relevant AI skills or professional preparation Graduate courses may be considered if the redesign clearly supports career-relevant AI skills or professional preparation.

Application Process and Timeline Faculty will complete a short online application form describing their proposed course redesign and how it aligns with the program goals. Fall 2026, Spring 2027, or Summer 2027 The application is intentionally brief to encourage broad participation.

Applicants will be asked to provide course information (title, number, typical enrollment, and the role of the course), the purpose and impact of the initiative, and a description of the AI-enhanced innovation. Applicants may submit proposals individually or in small instructional teams if multiple faculty teach the same course. Applications will be sent to department chairs or school directors for approval prior to review.

Applications for the summer 2026 curricular innovation grants are now closed. Selection Criteria and Review Process Applications will be evaluated by a faculty subcommittee of the Innovative Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee and members of the CITL leadership team. Final funding recommendations will be shared with the Executive Vice President and Provost for selection.

Applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: Potential impact on student learning, particularly in high-enrollment courses Alignment with responsible and effective AI integration in education Creativity and pedagogical innovation Scalability and applicability to other courses or disciplines Potential to advance AI literacy and workforce-relevant skills Frequently Asked Questions Special and Early Education Learn More About Natalie's Project Learn More About Sinclair's Project Susan Bowers, Melissa Clucas-Walter, & Florensia Surjadi School of Family and Consumer Sciences Learn More About Their Project Department of Biological Sciences Learn More About Christina's Project Learn More About Michael's Project Learn More About Gregory's Project Interdisciplinary Approaches Learn More About Ryan's Project Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment Learn More About Pi-Sui's Project Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education Learn More About Farah's Project Department Electrical Engineering Learn More About Venumadhav's Project Interdisciplinary Approaches Learn More About Vera's Project Center for the Study of Women, Gender & Sexuality | Department of History Learn More About Amanda's Project Institute for the Study of the Environment, Sustainability and Energy | Department of Engineering Technology Interdisciplinary Approaches Learn More About Kevin's Project School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders Community Engagement and Interdisciplinary Approaches Learn More About Jamie's Project Department of Operations Management & Information Systems Interactive Course Materials Learn More About Biagio's Project Department of Mechanical Engineering Community Engagement & Individualized Learning Learn More About Nicholas's Project School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders Learn More About Charles's Project Learn More About Angeline's Project Department of Mechanical Engineering Interactive Course Materials Learn More About Jifu's Project Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education Learn More About Zachary's Project Can the grant be applied to developing a new course or improving an existing one?

The curricular innovation grant is intended to be used for redesign of an existing course. The Curricular Innovation Grant can be used for implementing an innovative practice in either a new course or an existing course. In either case, the course should be taught during the next academic year.

Can the grant be used for developing an online course? The course can be taught online subject to departmental priorities, but the grant is intended to be used for redesign focused on integrating artificial intelligence and not the development of an online course. How many grants will be awarded?

There is no defined number of grants to be awarded at this time. The number will depend on the funding available for this year and the number of high-quality proposals submitted. --> We anticipate awarding 7-10 grants for 2026, although the final number is subject to change based on available funding.

Are full-time union instructors eligible to apply? Yes, all full-time faculty, including tenured and tenure-track faculty, instructional faculty and clinical faculty, are eligible to submit applications. Can this funding be used to pay for learning assistants (ie: undergraduate peers who assist students)?

These grants will be awarded and paid in this current fiscal year, i.e., before June 30, 2026. They will be paid as summer pay directly to faculty for their course redesign efforts. Unfortunately, spending on learning assistants is beyond the scope of this current grant opportunity.

May I submit multiple applications if I have ideas for more than one project? Yes, you may submit more than one application. However, you are limited to a single award of $5,000.

If you have multiple projects in mind, you can choose to submit one application for a single project, multiple applications for individual projects, or a single application with the projects combined into that application. May I submit an application for an individual course re-design and a collaborative one? I am receiving an incentive through my college or department for AI-enhancement of a course or program.

Am I eligible for the curricular innovation grant? No, if you have received or will receive an incentive or payment from your college or department during the 2025-2026 fiscal year for re-designing a course or program to be AI-enhanced, you are not eligible for the curricular innovation grant.

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