AI Implementation Call for Proposals

Transform Teaching and Learning with AI

The Center for Academic Innovation (CAI) invites faculty to submit proposals for innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. This Call for Proposals is designed to empower faculty experimentation and creativity in the responsible application of AI to transform how students learn, collaborate, and engage with course content.

Faculty from all areas are welcome to apply and think expansively about how AI can create new pathways for student success. This call is especially suited to accelerating early-stage ideas, pilot projects, or test cases that explore AI’s potential in teaching and learning. We encourage proposals that leverage the University’s U-M GPT tools or explore new AI platforms and products to build groundbreaking experiences that enhance student learning across a broad range of disciplines. 

Deadline

Focus Areas

Faculty are encouraged to propose bold, exploratory ideas that leverage AI to push the boundaries of teaching and learning. This is an opportunity to experiment with AI in innovative ways, across disciplines, to uncover new possibilities for education. Possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

• Personalized Learning: Use AI to adapt learning experiences in real time to each learner’s needs, knowledge, and progress through Socratic prompting, prerequisite refreshers, personalized resources, and AI-generated or -adapted learning content.
• AI Roleplay & Simulation: Create realistic, repeatable environments where students can apply knowledge and rehearse complex skills through scenario-based practice, simulations, and AI-powered roleplay in a safe environment.
• Scalable Assessment & Feedback: Provide timely, personalized feedback on student work and performance at scale through real-time evaluation, automated feedback, reflection, and peer review.
• Skills Validation & Career Readiness: Assess what learners can actually do—not simply what they have completed or memorized—through authentic, competency-based assessments, simulations, and real-world experiences. Use AI to help learners identify, demonstrate, and communicate their skills.
• Critical Thinking & AI Literacy: Strengthen learners’ ability to question, evaluate, and reason critically in an AI-enabled world by assessing AI outputs, identifying bias and limitations, verifying evidence, and making informed decisions about when and how to use AI effectively and responsibly.

Examples of Previous Projects

See examples of previous AI projects funded by the Academic Innovation Fund.

Out of Scope

• Projects intended for use in outside consulting practices or with learners who are not U-M students or affiliated with U-M.
• Projects focused solely on applications or training for students or faculty at other institutions.

We welcome any proposal that uses AI in imaginative, experimental, and impactful ways. The goal is to encourage faculty to test the limits of what AI can do in higher education and share their findings with the broader academic community. Faculty should ensure that their proposals prioritize U-M learners and contribute to the development of innovative educational practices that benefit the U-M community.

Sustainability and Scalability

CAI is interested in understanding the potential for successful projects to grow beyond the initial implementation. While not required, proposals may include a brief expansion plan addressing how the AI tool or approach could potentially be: 

• Expanded to serve additional courses, departments, or student populations
• Integrated with existing University systems and platforms
• Maintained and updated after project completion
• Part of the broader Michigan Online ecosystem 

Successful projects will have opportunities to discuss future development with CAI, including potential pathways for continued support, integration with Michigan Online’s educational technology ecosystem, and collaboration on grant applications for larger-scale implementation. We view this call as a catalyst for innovation that could lead to transformative changes in how AI supports teaching and learning at the University of Michigan.

Funding and Support

Approved proposals will receive funding and support from the center, which includes:

• Up to $15,000 in funding for project-related expenses, including software, paid student workers, edtech partnership fees, and other necessary resources.
• In-kind support from the CAI team, including instructional design consultation, project management, and technical assistance.

Proposal Submission Process

Faculty are encouraged to schedule a consultation session with the CAI team to discuss their ideas and ensure alignment with the goals of this call. Proposals must include a clear description of the AI tools or platforms being used, the pedagogical goals of the project, and a detailed timeline and budget.

Proposal Requirements

• Eligibility: Faculty Status Policy
• Projects that incorporate new AI tools must ensure those tools pass the CAI third-party tool evaluation framework to confirm compliance with data protection agreements and University data policies.
• Proposals should include a detailed budget and outline the in-kind support needed from CAI.

Proposal Submission Consultation

Before submitting a proposal, please contact [email protected] to set up a consultation.

Timeline

• Call Opens: September 25, 2026
• Consultation appointments: September 29, 2028-January 8, 2027

Priority deadline

• Proposals due: November 06, 2026
• Decisions announced: November 20, 2026
• Project kickoffs begin: early December 2026

Final deadline

• Proposals due: January 15, 2027
• Decisions announced: January 29, 2027
• Project kickoffs begin: February 2027

FAQs

What types of projects are eligible for funding?

Eligible projects include those that explore the use of AI in teaching and learning. This can include classroom applications, online course enhancements, personalized learning, AI role play & simulation, scalable assessment, skills validation.

What types of projects are out of scope?

Projects intended for personal consulting practices, external organizations, or non-U-M students are not eligible for funding. Proposals should prioritize the development of tools or applications that directly benefit U-M students and learners.

How much funding is available?

Approved proposals may receive up to $15,000 in funding for project expenses, including software, student support, and necessary resources. In-kind support is also available from the CAI team.

What expenses are eligible for funding? 

Funding may be used for:

• Software licenses, API access fees, tokens, and subscription costs for AI tools
• Student wages for developers, researchers, or user experience testers
• Hardware or equipment directly related to the AI implementation
• User testing materials, survey tools, and evaluation resources
• Data storage, computing resources, or cloud services
• External consultant fees for specialized technical expertise
• Materials for prototype development or user interface design

Which deadline should I use?

• Choose the priority deadline (November 06, 2026) if your idea is already taking shape, your collaborators are identified, and your project can run on AI tools U-M has already approved. You’ll receive a decision on November 20 and kick off in early December, giving you a full term to build, pilot, and gather feedback.
• Choose the final deadline (January 15, 2027) if you’re still shaping the idea, need time to secure department or collaborator buy-in, or expect to use an AI tool that requires third-party review. You’ll receive a decision on January 29 and kick off in February 2027.
• If you’re unsure, schedule a consultation. The CAI team can help you assess whether your project is ready for the priority round or would benefit from additional time.

Does submitting by the priority deadline improve my chances of being funded?

No. Both rounds are evaluated against the same criteria. Submitting by the priority deadline gets you an earlier start date, not a stronger application.

What if I miss the priority deadline?

Nothing is lost. Proposals submitted by January 15, 2027, are fully considered, with decisions announced January 29 and projects kicking off in February.

Can funding be used for faculty-related expenses?

No, funding is intended for project-specific expenses that directly support the development, implementation, or evaluation of the proposed AI tool or learning experience. Funding may not be used for faculty salaries, conference travel, or professional development. 

What support is available during the development process?

In addition to funding, projects will receive in-kind support from the CAI team, including instructional design consultation, project management, and technical assistance. Preference is given to projects that utilize student hires as part of the development team.

Can I use AI tools outside of U-M GPT?

Yes, proposals that explore new AI platforms and tools are encouraged. However, any new tool must pass the U-M third-party tool evaluation framework to ensure compliance with University policies on data protection, security, and privacy.

What if my project needs a new AI tool that hasn’t been approved yet?

• Schedule a consultation with our team so they can help you get started with the third-party tool review process now, before you decide which deadline to target. Review can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the tool’s complexity and data handling.
• If the review is already underway and likely to conclude before late October, the priority round remains a reasonable target. If the review is just beginning or the tool handles student data, the final deadline gives you more room.
• In either case, we recommend identifying an alternative tool in case your first choice isn’t approved in time.

How long will it take to have a third-party tool reviewed and approved?

The review process for third-party tools can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the tool’s complexity, its terms of service, and the data protection requirements involved. If your proposal involves a new AI tool, we strongly encourage you to initiate the review process as early as possible—either before submitting your final proposal or in conjunction with it. This will help avoid delays in the development timeline. Additionally, it’s advisable to have alternative tools in mind in case the primary tool is not approved within the desired timeframe.

Can I propose a project for another institution or outside work?

No, proposals should focus on U-M students and learners. Projects aimed at other institutions or personal consulting practices will not be considered. Faculty should ensure their proposals contribute to the advancement of education within the University of Michigan community.