Life-Changing Education: Artificial Intelligence Implementation Call for Proposals

Transform Teaching and Learning with AI

The Center for Academic Innovation at the University of Michigan invites faculty to submit proposals for innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning. This Call for Proposals is designed to support experimentation and creativity, empowering faculty to harness the potential 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 explore bold, exploratory ideas that leverage AI to push the boundaries of teaching and learning. This Call for Proposals 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:

• Transforming Learning with AI: Explore how AI-driven content generation can transform how students interact with material by simulating real-world scenarios, suggesting inquiry pathways, and challenging students to think critically about complex problems. Think beyond traditional instructional models to unlock new approaches to learning, content interaction, and problem-solving through AI.

• Reinventing Assessments and Feedback: Tailor AI-powered tools to provide near real-time feedback or alternative assessment methods, including automated grading systems, peer review facilitation, or AI-driven reflection prompts. Proposals might explore how AI can support personalized learning journeys by adapting to student progress in real-time.

• AI as a Collaborative Partner: Investigate how AI can become a co-creator with students across disciplines. Projects might explore how AI-generated content or tools help students prototype, ideate, and iterate on creative or research-based tasks in fields such as, but not limited to, literature, music, medicine, engineering, and the social sciences. 

• Improving Equity and Access: Examine how AI technologies can reduce barriers and promote inclusive learning environments. Proposals might explore AI-based tools to create more accessible course materials, offer multilingual support, or provide tailored resources for diverse learning needs.

• Fostering Curiosity and Critical Thinking: Use AI to spark inquiry and help students navigate complex or ambiguous problems with innovative solutions. Projects might explore how AI can simulate ethical dilemmas, guide exploratory research, or support decision-making in contexts like public policy, clinical reasoning, leadership roles, or design challenges. 
• Cross-Disciplinary Innovation: We strongly encourage collaborative proposals that bring together faculty from different disciplines, combining domain expertise with technical innovation. Consider partnerships between technical and pedagogical experts, or collaborations that bridge undergraduate and graduate education across schools and colleges.

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 ways that are imaginative, experimental, and impactful. The goal is to encourage faculty to test the limits of what AI can do in 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.

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, student support, and other necessary resources.
• In-kind support from the CAI team, including instructional design consultation, project management, and technical assistance.
• Preference for funding student hires to assist with development, ensuring students gain valuable hands-on experience with AI technologies.

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.

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 for Proposal Opens: September 2025
• Consultation appointments: September 22, 2025 – January 9, 2026
• Proposal deadline: January 16, 2026
• Decisions announced: February 27, 2026
• Project Kickoff: April 2026 

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, AI-driven assessment tools, or the development of new learning platforms.

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

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. 

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 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.

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 complexity of the tool, 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.