What you need to know
The d’Arbeloff Fund for Excellence in Education and the Education Innovation Funds for Teaching and Learning are jointly requesting preliminary proposals for large-scale projects intended to make a substantial and sustainable impact on undergraduate learning and education at MIT.
We are especially interested in projects focused on developing AI-aware pedagogy; creating, implementing, and assessing sustained use of evidence-based pedagogy; revamping critical subjects and/or restructuring course sequences to better support transition to upper level subjects for department majors; or addressing other local challenges.
For full details on funding priorities, along with the timeline and proposal process, download the complete RFP.
Some key points to remember:
- We are employing a multi-stage review process for initial funding; full proposals are by invitation only.
- Preliminary proposals for multi-year projects are encouraged, but continuation of funding for a second and third year will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
- We encourage applications from teams – either within a single department, across multiple departments, or through a Departmental Action Team (DAT).
What you need to do
- Carefully review the RFP and complete guidelines and email cdfunds@mit.edu with questions.
- Those interested in a DAT model are invited to attend a webinar from 11 AM to Noon (EST) on January 16, 2026. Register for the webinar.
- Send your 2-page PDF preliminary proposal – outlining the project, rationale, opportunities and risks, resources needed, and ideas for assessment – to cdfunds@mit.edu by Friday, January 30, 2026.
- Our staff will confirm receipt of your preliminary proposal by email.
- Those invited to the second stage will be notified in mid-February and will work with the Teaching & Learning Lab to develop their final proposal.
- Final proposals – including a narrative, budget, and detailed assessment plan – are due on Friday, March 20, 2026.
- Funding decisions will be made in mid-April.
Who can apply
- MIT faculty and teaching staff may submit a preliminary proposal.
- Projects can come from any discipline as well as collaborations among disciplines.
Grant use
- Funds are available for use from July 2026 through June 2027.
- Grant funds can be used for faculty release time or summer salary, stipends for graduate students to help develop curriculum, and UROPs.
- Projects that utilize funding from departments or other sources are highly encouraged and looked favorably upon by the selection committee.