Teaching Development Funding Opportunities

🔁 For more information on the course creation and revision approval process and resources available, see Guidelines for course creation, revision, and deactivation (LAS).

⭐ For inspiration, check out our LAS new course spotlights.

Note: The following programs, grants, and awards are subject to change from year-to-year based on resources of the host unit. See each information page for up-to-date details, eligibility, and contact information.

LAS Inclusive Pedagogy Certificate Program

Host unit: LAS Academy of Educational Excellence

The 14-week Inclusive Pedagogy Certificate Program is an experiential learning community designed to equip faculty and instructors with practical, research-based strategies for teaching diverse undergraduate and graduate student populations. Throughout the course, participants will design or revise a syllabus or course materials to be implemented during the following academic year.

LAS Global Classrooms

Host unit: LAS International Programs

In this program, faculty connect with an international partner in a similar or complementary field to develop a virtual project, and implement it in one of their existing courses. (LAS International Programs can assist in finding an international partner.) Projects vary in scope and duration but typically last between six and eight weeks. 

Instructional Innovation Mini Grants

Host unit: Office of the Provost

Supports efforts to pursue innovation in teaching and learning. Projects may be inspired by participation in the Annual Faculty Retreat or other engagements in teaching and learning related activities. These grants are most often used to support a graduate assistant or offset expenses associated with the proposed project.

Innovation in Gen Ed Courses Award

Host unit: General Education @ Illinois

Supports the development and implementation of educational innovation in a way that will enhance the Gen Ed Program and students’ overall learning experience at Illinois. Instructors may use one of the ‘Innovative Approaches to General Education Courses’ provided, or they may identify their own approach.

Provost’s Initiative on Teaching Advancement (PITA)

Host unit: Office of the Provost

Designed to support faculty with the implementation of instructional and pedagogical innovation that has a high probability of enhancing education at Illinois. The projects most likely to be funded are those that clearly align with campus educational goals, and where PITA award resources might be leveraged to increase external support.

LAS Educational Excellence Mentor Program

Host unit: LAS Academy for Educational Excellence

Mentors support the LAS Educational Excellence mission to advance teaching excellence through mentorship, presentations, group facilitation, and resource development. In addition to providing valuable mentorship to the LAS teaching community, a secondary vision for this mentor role is to provide LAS faculty and instructional staff with recognition of their strengths in teaching and with opportunities to lead and shape our discussions surrounding teaching.

Gen Ed Professional Development Award

Host unit: General Education @ Illinois

Supports faculty attendance at a national/international conference focused on general education or another conference providing sessions related to General Education. Funding would cover registration, transportation, lodging, and any per diem. Awardees would be expected to give back to the Gen Ed Program by sharing in a forum with other instructors of general education courses. 

Professional development funding for Specialized Faculty

Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC) bargaining unit members who hold a nine (9) month or greater, full time, non-visiting appointment shall, upon request, receive up to $750 per academic year for allowable expenses related only to research and/or teaching-related professional development, to be reimbursed in accordance with University policy and guidelines. See Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition (NTFC) - Bargaining Agreement (2024 - 2028) (PDF), see p. 10, Article VIII Wages; G. Professional Development.

Scholars’ Travel Fund

Host unit: Campus Research Board

Supports faculty members who are presenting original scholarly research and creative work at academic gatherings, such as national disciplinary meetings and specialized conferences. The fund will offer support for travel and conference expenses to one conference per year.