Now accepting applications
Deadline extended to Friday, January 3, 2025
Grants of up to $10K are available to instructional faculty and staff members seeking to pilot innovative and results-oriented instructional software that has the potential to improve teaching and learning in Michigan Engineering. Proposals may be submitted by individuals requesting software for a specific class or a team of faculty members requesting software for a group of classes.
In the spirit of innovation, all ideas are welcome. Proposals that call for the use of collaborative teaching and learning strategies are encouraged. Priority will be given to projects that, if proven successful, can be replicated throughout the College.
Please note that many routes exist for procuring software licenses at the University of Michigan. For this reason, those applying for a first-year E3 Software Pilot Grant must meet with a member of our team for consultation prior to submitting this application to determine if this grant program is the appropriate avenue for your software request. Email [email protected] to schedule your consultation.
Next Steps & Applicant Guidelines
- Schedule a consultation with an E3 Grant team member to talk about your proposed software by emailing [email protected].
- Submit your E3 Software Pilot Grant Application using the form linked at the bottom of this page by the end of the day Friday, Janaury 3, 2025.
- You will be notified via email of a funding decision no later than March 2025.
- Please be aware of the following onboarding expectations and guidelines if your E3 Software Pilot Proposal is funded:
- An E3 Grant representative may reach out with additional software questions and to verify the number of needed licenses. *CAEN will handle the software procurement process.
- You will provide a short description of your specific use case and research goals with the software, which will be used for promotion on CAEN websites.
- You will fill out a short survey towards the middle and end of the project, sharing updates, results, and detailing how the software impacted student learning objectives.
- You agree to engage with CAEN to evaluate the software for possible College adoption.
- You agree to provide future training and demonstrations, as well as share your success using the software, with other faculty at the College.
- You are responsible for covering any project expenditures exceeding the award amount.
Proposal Submissions
Submit your E3 Software Pilot Grant Application using the form linked at the bottom of this page. Prior to filling out the form, ensure you have all the following information ready:
First-year or Second-year
You will be asked if you are submitting a first-year or second-year grant proposal. If this is the first time you are submitting this software through the E3 Grant process, select first-year. If you previously received E3 Grant funding for this software, select second-year.
*The maximum length of time a software can be funded through an E3 Software Pilot Grant is two years.
Course Information
You will be asked to provide logistical course details, including the frequency of the course taught, estimated average enrollment, as well as the semesters you plan to utilize the requested software.
Learning Gaps & Pedagogical Support
- Describe the learning gap(s) you have identified in your lesson/module/unit/course.
- Explain how the software or technology intervention(s) will close the stated learning gap(s).
- Identify the evidence-based practices that support the efficacy of the proposed software solution.
Comparative Tool Evaluation
- Identify 3-4 comparable software tools (including your proposed tool) that could fill the established learning gaps.
- List the criteria you will use to evaluate the 3-4 comparable tools to inform your decision making.
Project Evaluation Plan
- Explain how the success of this software will be evaluated, documented, and disseminated—approaches might include midterm course assessments, focus groups and surveys, among others.
- Explain how you will evaluate if this software met the needs of you and your students. How will you identify if it has improved the educational experience?
Budget
Provide the number of licenses, estimated cost per license, and estimated total cost for this software.
Note: Funding from this grant may only be used to purchase software. CAEN will lead the procurement process. Funding may not be used to cover anything beyond the purchase of the software.
Timeline
To use the software for instruction in the fall 2025 term, proposals must be submitted by Friday, January 3, 2025.
Available Funding
$50K has been allocated for Software Pilot awards in the 2025-2026 academic year. Each grant proposal awarded may receive up to $10K in funding.