2023 University of Calgary teaching and learning research programs call for proposals

I am excited to announce the launch of the 2023 University of Calgary Teaching and Learning Grants and Scholars program. This initiative highlights the Taylor Institute’s commitment to enhancing student learning by generating and supporting research that informs scholarly and culturally relevant teaching practices, and by supporting the development of educational leadership capacity across campus. 

Our incredible community of scholars engages in innovative teaching and learning research that explores and develops new knowledge about post-secondary teaching and student learning. This research examines key trends and issues in higher education, multiple ways of knowing and being, and informs teaching and learning cultures, communities and practices across multiple organizational levels. 

This year, I am happy to share that there are new funding opportunities for research projects that focus on the development of Open Educational Resources (OER). An OER is peer-reviewed and researched academic content that has been made available via an open licence such as a Creative Commons Licence. These resources benefit teaching and learning by reducing the cost of education for learners, allows faculty to enhance their own work, and provides collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. 

We invite applications from academic staff and librarians, archivists and curators, as well as teaching assistants, postdoctoral scholars, student service professionals and administrative staff. Applications are due Jan. 16, 2023. 

About the program 

The Teaching and Learning Grants and Scholars program supports the development, implementation, critical examination and dissemination of innovative, evidence-based approaches to teaching and learning. Some restrictions apply for primary grant holders. Read more about the program details. 

We support different types of projects through three structural streams: 

Development and Innovation: This grant stream supports projects that develop a new teaching approach or improve upon an existing teaching practice. The scope may vary from individual activities to entire programs, such as the creation of a new resource, the implementation of a new practice, or the (re)design of activities, courses or programs. Development and Innovation Grants last two years and can be individual or collaborative. Recipients will share their work with relevant campus audiences to benefit the practice and understanding of others. Funding amounts can be up to $10,000. 

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: These grants support formal, evidence-based studies focused on better understanding or improvement of student learning. Recipients will draw on their discipline-based expertise to develop a scholarly project anchored by meaningful questions about student learning and the activities intended to facilitate that learning. SoTL projects are designed to answer those questions by making relevant student learning visible and then systematically analyzing the evidence. They can be individual or collaborative and are three years in duration. Individual projects can receive up to $20,000 and collaborative projects can receive up to $40,000. 

Teaching Scholars: This stream is intended to support the development of educational leadership projects proposed by individuals who contribute to the learning experiences of University of Calgary students. In addition, fundable projects may involve a range of context and activities, not just those that occur in the classroom. This stream awards up to $40,000 over four years to successful applicants. 

Dr. Teri Balser 
Provost and Vice-President (Academic)