CU system introduces new awards, grants to advance faculty innovation with AI
The CU system Office of Academic Affairs in partnership with the Office of the President is launching three new systemwide awards and grants that will recognize and support innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning and scholarly and creative work across all CU campuses.
By championing bold, creative uses of AI toward compelling learning outcomes and impactful scholarly and creative work, the University of Colorado is cultivating a dynamic culture of innovation and excellence across all CU campuses.
Three AI-focused opportunities
The CU system Office of Academic Affairs is soliciting nominations and proposals for its new set of AI recognitions and grants:
- CU System AI Recognition Award: AI for Teaching & Learning
- CU System AI Recognition Award: AI for Scholarly & Creative Work
- CU System AI Sprint Grant: AI for Teaching & Learning
AI Recognition Award: AI for Teaching & Learning
The CU System AI Recognition Award: AI for Teaching & Learning honors faculty who use AI innovatively in their teaching to achieve demonstrable improvements in student learning aligned with stated course learning goals. In addition, recipients’ work should have impact beyond their individual courses. By recognizing and rewarding creative, effective uses of AI in pedagogy that produce meaningful student outcomes, the University of Colorado system aims to foster a culture of innovation and excellence in AI-enhanced teaching.
Eligibility: Tenure or tenure-track faculty and full-time and instructional series faculty are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Nominate by March 30, 2026.
AI Recognition Award: AI for Scholarly & Creative Work
The CU System AI Recognition Award: AI for Scholarly & Creative Work honors faculty whose innovative use of artificial intelligence leads to compelling outcomes in their scholarly and creative work and demonstrates meaningful impact on their field. By acknowledging and rewarding impactful applications of AI in scholarship and creative practice, the University of Colorado system aims to cultivate a culture of innovation among its faculty.
Eligibility: Tenure or tenure-track faculty and full-time and instructional series faculty are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Nominate by March 30, 2026.
AI Sprint Grant: AI for Teaching & Learning
The CU System 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: Tenure or tenure-track faculty and full-time and instructional series faculty are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Apply by March 30, 2026.
Questions: Contact the Office of Academic Affairs.