CU system solicits submissions for new awards, grants to advance faculty innovation with AI
The CU System Office of Academic Affairs, in partnership with the Office of the President, reminds faculty and staff about three new systemwide awards and grants recognizing and supporting innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning and in scholarly and creative work across all CU campuses. These awards and grants are not specific to any single AI platform or tool.
By championing bold, creative applications of AI that advance compelling learning outcomes and impactful scholarly and creative work, the University of Colorado continues to cultivate a dynamic culture of innovation and excellence across the CU system.
Three AI-focused opportunities
The CU system Office of Academic Affairs continues to solicit nominations and proposals for the following AI recognitions and grant:
- 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
Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations and proposals and to share this opportunity with colleagues who are advancing innovative AI work across the CU campuses.
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: Eligible nominees include full-time CU tenured or tenure-track faculty and full-time research professor track faculty.
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.