In Spring 2024, UMD launched the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), bringing together AI experts across campus to focus on responsible, ethical development and use of the technology to advance public good in industry, government and society. Given the rapid pace of AI development, a core part of AIM’s mission is to reimagine learning in the face of these drastic changes through the introduction of four new interdisciplinary programs, including Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Artificial Intelligence. Students across all majors will learn the principles of AI and how they apply to their field of study.

To build our programs and offer a rich array of courses, AIM is pleased to announce the availability of course development funds for courses focused on any aspect of AI, or AI general education courses. We especially encourage applications for courses that are interdisciplinary in their approach to AI, those that intersect with AIM’s four focus areas (accessibility, sustainability, social justice, and learning and creativity), as well as those that introduce AI-focused courses to existing majors or minors on campus. New courses and existing courses that need revision will be considered. For existing courses, the proposal must account in detail the proposed changes. 

Faculty may either apply for a Course Development Grant ($10,000) or an Experiential Learning and Community-Engaged Course Development Grant (up to $25,000).

Timeline

• Applications Open: December 2, 2024
• Applications Close: February 17, 2025
• Decisions Sent: April 4, 2025
• Funds will be released in July 2025.

Information Session: Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 12-1 p.m. (Register for the webinar)

Course Development Grants

All UMD faculty (TTK and PTK) may apply for $10,000 to develop a new course centered on AI as it pertains to their discipline. Half of the funds will be provided in July 2025, and the other half when the recipient submits a completed syllabus, including justification for general education designations where appropriate  (no later than December  2025). All awardees will present their developed courses at a UMD AI education symposium (Spring 2026).

To apply, please complete the application that will ask you to  provide:

1. A course title and 2-3 page description of the course that indicates how the course would contribute to building the range of interdisciplinary AI courses on campus or in the unit. The proposal should include examples of units, readings and assignments, and learning outcomes. Please indicate which AIM focus area the course would intersect with (if applicable), the intended general education requirement (if applicable). The proposal should include the unit/department that will offer the course and indicate whether the course could be cross-listed.
2. A short letter from your department chair or unit head indicating their willingness to offer the course in the next 1-2 years. The letter should indicate whether the course will be able to be offered on a recurring basis, and if so, how often it could be offered.

Courses that intersect with AIM’s focus areas, including accessibility, sustainability, social justice, and learning will be given special consideration. AIM construes these research areas broadly, with accessibility including at least disability, aging, neurodiversity and mental health; sustainability including climate, food security, agriculture, aquaculture, and their civic, public health and business impacts; social justice including race, gender, digital inequality, policy, and social and historical relations of power; and learning including the creation, dissemination and acquisition of knowledge across people, teams, and organizations.

Experiential Learning and Community-Engaged Course Development Grants

One of the University of Maryland’s Strategic Commitment Goals in reimagining teaching and learning is to “expand the use of high-impact experiential learning to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn through public service, civic engagement, internships, and project-based experiences.” As we introduce new interdisciplinary programs focused on AI, we encourage the development of community-engaged and experiential learning courses that offer complementary benefits for UMD students and a variety of community collaborators, including small businesses, community organizations, art collectives, and nonprofits. Proposals must demonstrate how the courses will sustain community-engaged projects throughout the semester, enhance students’ experiential learning opportunities within and outside of the classroom, and how community engagement is integral to the design of the course, course assignments, and learning outcomes.

To apply for a course development grant, please complete the application that will ask you to  provide:

1. A course title and 2-3 page description of the course that should include examples of units, readings and assignments, and learning outcomes. Please indicate which AIM educational program the course would be a part of (one of the majors, a new minor, or a general education course/pathway to AI course). The proposal should include the unit that will offer the course and indicate whether the course could be cross-listed.
2. A short letter from your department chair or unit head indicating their willingness to offer the course in the next 1-2 years. The letter should indicate whether the course will be able to be offered on a recurring basis, and if so, how often it could be offered. 
3. A short letter from the community partner you intend to engage confirming they are willing to collaborate with UMD students in the course. 
4. A budget describing how you will use the funding. This can include stipends for faculty, stipends for graduate student research assistants who can help with developing the course, projected honoraria for guest speakers, and funding for students to go on site visits. The budget should indicate what portion of the funds will be used to prepare for the course, and what portion will be used once the course is running.

Evaluation

1. Innovation - The proposal approaches the topic of AI from its disciplinary/interdisciplinary perspective in ways that are innovative in terms of form, content, assignments, or outcomes.
2. Scalability - The proposal describes how the course might serve as a model for other courses or sections of the same course, and demonstrates how the course could be taught on a recurring basis.
3. Scope of Potential Impact - The proposal indicates the breadth and/or depth of the work. This may be represented by the number of students (seats), courses, or academic programs that will be impacted or benefit from the project, and/or by the innovative and transformative nature of the idea and students’ learning experience.
4. Goals / Feasibility - The proposal clearly articulates achievable specific objectives and provides a clear benchmark for measuring progress and results. It should also include vulnerabilities and potential risks that have been considered and planned for, especially if involving community engagement.
5. DEI - Proposals consider innovative and inclusive teaching and learning approaches, giving attention to diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging.
6. Sustainability - If the project requires recurring resources, how will these be updated and maintained?

Questions?

Feel free to contact aim@umd.edu with any questions.