On Thursday, December 18, Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Erin Sanders O’Leary shared this message via BruinPost
Dear Colleagues:
The Teaching and Learning Center’s (TLC) Educational Innovation Grants program equips instructors of record with resources and support to innovate in their teaching and curriculum as well as deploy next-generation academic technologies that facilitate learning in evolving learning environments. The program advances efforts to elevate teaching and modernize the classroom experience for all students, aligned with the UCLA for Life flagship initiative of Chancellor Julio Frenk’s One UCLA campaign and Goal 4 of the UCLA Strategic Plan.
Educational Innovation Grants are organized into four tiers with varying levels of support, offering instructors funding options and distinct pathways to apply for course innovation resources. Starting January 5, 2026, the TLC will begin accepting proposals for its Catalyst Grant (Tier 3) program.
Catalyst Grants
Catalyst Grants (Tier 3) provide funding to support instructors with more substantial 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 consecutive years of grant support. UCLA instructors of record for undergraduate, graduate, and professional student courses are eligible to request funds.
Proposal Support
Instructors who receive catalyst grants may request in-kind support from the TLC in the form of curricular and instructional design, project assessment, media production and teaching workshops to help implement funded projects. Visit the Catalyst Grants (Tier 3) program page for more information on funding guidelines and proposal requirements. Proposals are accepted on an annual basis.
Deadline
Proposals for projects planned during fiscal year 2026–27 are due March 1, 2026.
Attend an Information Session
Upcoming Information Sessions will provide prospective applicants with an overview of the recently revised requirements for Catalyst Grants (Tier 3) and review best practices for successful Educational Innovation Grants proposals. Information sessions will also include examples of successful applications, an overview of in-kind project support services offered by the TLC, and a question-and-answer session.
Information Sessions will offer a preview of the new Catalyst Grant Pre-Proposal planning document being introduced this funding cycle to help project teams define their goals, articulate assessment plans, and set milestones. This document will be used by TLC staff to provide feedback to teams during their consultation session and guide the development of the proposal.
Catalyst Grant Information Session Dates
- Noon–12:45 p.m., January 9 | Register
- Noon–12:45 p.m., January 15 | Register
- 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
We look forward to supporting our instructors in their commitment to improving the educational experience for all our Bruins. We welcome submissions from instructors teaching undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at UCLA.
A call for proposals for the TLC’s Transformation Grants (Tier 4) will be announced in January, along with more information regarding proposal requirements. Full eligibility and application/proposal information for all four tiers of the Educational Innovation Grants program can be found on the TLC website. Please contact the TLC staff at Catalyst_Grants@teaching.ucla.edu for questions or to schedule an initial consultation about your proposal. To receive information and updates from the TLC, sign up for our email list.