Teaching Innovation Grants

This internal grants program is offered annually, typically with a February deadline. The overall goal is to enrich learning experiences for students and foster a climate of teaching innovation by supporting WPI educators to seed new initiatives in undergraduate and graduate education that meet identifiable needs at WPI. The Morgan Teaching and Learning Center, the Office of Undergraduate Studies, the Academic Technology Center (ATC), and the Educational Development Council (EDC) provide about $150,000 in funding to three types of grants aimed at supporting innovation in undergraduate and graduate education.

Teaching Innovation Grant Information

  1. Professional Learning Community Grants: A Professional Learning Community (PLC) is a group of WPI community members from multiple disciplines engaging in collegial inquiry, action, and collective learning around a central theme in the area of pedagogical development or educational development and innovation. These grants are awarded by the EDC, ATC, and Morgan Center. EDC-formed: People apply as individuals for a particular PLC theme, and the review committee selects a diverse group from among the applicants.
  2. Course and Program Projects: This grant mechanism is intended for applicants, either individuals or small groups, whose project is aimed at department or program-level impact rather than campus-wide impact. These grants are also awarded by the EDC, ATC, and Morgan Center.
  3. Summer Sandbox Grants: These grants from Undergraduate Studies support faculty who will design and test new approaches to teaching and advising in an undergraduate course or project. This is an opportunity to use summer as a learning laboratory for the academic year.

This program does not fund routine updating or renewal of courses, curricula, or teaching methods.

Faculty & Staff Social - Educational Development Grant and Fellow Opportunities

Save  the Date

Tuesday, December 2, 2025
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Rubin Campus Center: Odeum A&B

The Morgan Teaching and Learning Center, Educational Development Council (EDC), Academic Technology Center (ATC), Undergraduate Studies, and the Center for Project-Based Learning are hosting a social gathering to launch this year’s cycle of Teaching Innovation Grants and PBL Faculty Fellows. 

Faculty and staff educators are invited to drop by the Odeum on Tuesday afternoon, December 3 to learn more about the range of opportunities. Chat with colleagues about teaching and learning opportunities and challenges, connect with others who have similar interests, get questions answered, and enjoy some refreshments. 

Folks are welcome to come for any portion of the two-hour period. A short, informal program will begin by 4pm. Registration is requested to assist with food planning.

Most recent program documents (2025)

Teaching Innovation Grants Call For Proposal 2025 (PDF)

Course and Program Projects (CPP) - Guidelines & Application 2025 (PDF)

Professional Learning Communities (PLC) - Guidelines and Application 2025 (PDF) 

Summer Sandbox Guidelines & Application 2025 (PDF)

All applications are due on February 3, 2025.