All Educational Innovation Grants Tiers Now Accepting Proposals

On Thursday, January 15, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Erin Sanders O’Leary shared this message via BruinPost

Dear Colleagues:

As part of ongoing efforts to enhance the classroom experience, equip learners with the critical knowledge and skills, and support student engagement in exciting new experiential learning opportunities, the Teaching and Learning Center’s (TLC) Educational Innovation Grants program invests in instructors of record with resources to enhance their teaching practices. These efforts support the UCLA for Life flagship initiative of Chancellor Julio Frenk’s One UCLA campaign and Goal 4 of the Strategic Plan.

The program is organized into four tiers with varying levels of support, offering instructors funding options and distinct pathways to apply for course and academic program innovation resources. The TLC is currently accepting proposals for all tiers of Educational Innovation Grants during Winter 2026. UCLA instructors of record for undergraduate, graduate, and professional student courses are eligible to apply for all four tiers.

Transformation Grants

Transformation Grants (Tier 4) are designed to support academic units in pursuing larger-scale educational innovations that promote student exploration, creativity, engagement, discovery, and success. Across two funding tracks, these grants provide funding to both bring curricular ideas to action and support academic units preparing for Academic Program Review (Track 1: Planning Grants) and execute new pedagogical and curricular reforms (Track 2: Implementation Grants). Planning grants can be funded up to $10,000 and Implementation grants up to $100,000.

Visit the Transformation Grant (Tier 4) Program page for more information about funding guidelines and proposal requirements.

Catalyst Grants

Catalyst Grants (Tier 3) provide funding to support instructors in implementing and assessing course interventions and program development projects. Projects should advance teaching practices, curriculum, and pedagogical research while inspiring new and sustainable ways of engaging students in innovative, equitable instruction. Catalyst Grants range from $6,000 to $42,000 (previously capped at $35,000), and individual instructors are eligible for up to two years of grant support. UCLA instructors of record for undergraduate, graduate, and professional student courses are eligible to request funds.

Additional information about Catalyst Grants was shared in a Bruin Post last month. Review that message and visit the Catalyst Grants (Tier 3) program page for funding guidelines and proposal requirements. 

Catalyst Grant Information Session Dates

• Noon–12:45 p.m., January 23 | Register
• Noon–12:45 p.m., January 27 | Register
• 11–11:45 a.m., February 3 | Register
• Noon–12:45 p.m., February 11 | Register
• 1–1:45 p.m., February 19 | Register
• 1–1:45 p.m., February 23 | Register

Sandbox Grants

Sandbox Grants (Tier 2) provide funding to support instructor-initiated projects to enhance teaching practices, including covering expenses for instructional equipment and/or technology tied to programmatic improvements, creation of open educational resources (OER), and course accessibility enhancements. Seed Grants are available in amounts up to $6,000 per instructor of record per academic year. Visit the Sandbox Grants (Tier 2) program page for more information on information sessions, funding guidelines, and proposal requirements. Applications for Sandbox Grants must be submitted at least one quarter in advance of the quarter in which the associated course will be offered. See the chart below for all grant deadlines.

Seed Grants

Seed Grants (Tier 1) are for small-scale projects initiated by instructors to augment teaching through activities such as guest speakers, field trips, or software/licensing expenses. Seed Grants are available in amounts up to $1,000 per instructor of record per academic year. Visit the Seed Grants (Tier 1) program page for more information on funding guidelines and proposal requirements.

Grant Deadlines

Full eligibility and application/proposal information for all four tiers of the Educational Innovation Grants program can be found on the TLC website. Contact the TLC staff at Grants@teaching.ucla.edu for questions. To receive information and updates from the TLC, sign up for our email list.