Curricular Innovation Grant

Grant applications are currently closed.

Overview

Curricular Innovation Grants are focused on experimenting with pedagogical initiatives that bring external community, industry, and practice partners into curricular and co-curricular activities that are mutually beneficial to students and external partners. These grants are designed to 1) provide platforms for engaged activity outside of the university by supporting activations that respond to community needs; 2) support interdisciplinary seminars linked to at least two of the college's five departments (art, architecture, planning, design tech, real estate); 3) support project-based studio and seminar pairings linked to at least two of the college's five departments. Pedagogical objectives include exposing and educating students in ethical community engagement practices through the co-production of creative work, documented critical reflections, theorization, knowledge production, and the development of metrics of success for collaboration on project-based works.

In this pursuit, AAP defines community as non-corporate groups, organizations, or public entities that share the college's commitment to equity and dialogue. It defines engagement as a critically rigorous, transparent, and active community partnership.

Award

$8,000–$12,000

Timeframe

Preliminary chair approval letter due: December 15, 2025

Application open: January 14, 2026

Due: March 6, 2026

Eligibility

• Open to all AAP faculty. 
• All applicants must be Cornell AAP affiliated in the 26–27 academic year.
• All applicants must have a Cornell AAP affiliation at the beginning of their proposed project to receive grant funds.

Application Process

Applicants must obtain a preliminary letter from their Department Chair that indicates they have expressed interest in applying and have the Chair's approval to do so. Letters should be emailed directly to Sydney Boyd: sydneyboyd@cornell.edu.

Application Materials

Formatting

Helvetica regular font; 10pt font size.

Three-page proposal

Your proposal should outline your course or curricular project, who is involved (be explicit about any cross-disciplinary or cross-departmental collaboration), and what its impact will be. Please clearly articulate how this curricular innovation addresses a specific community interest, problem, or public concern; how the project includes working with and learning from a community partner; how the innovation connects and integrates community-engaged experiences with educational content; and how you will incorporate structured, documented critical reflection into the process. Additionally, please introduce any community partners, explain why you are collaborating with them, and include a timeline that considers longevity after this event or series concludes, a budget outline, and any explicit deliverables.

Full CV or resume 

Include your full CV, no longer than 10 pages.

One-sentence summary

As directly as possible: What is your curricular or co-curricular proposal?

Short response

How will this curricular initiative address a specific community interest, problem, or public concern?

Community partners

In your proposal, you should provide details about the nature of any collaborations as well as a rationale for the partnership. Here, please provide a list of community partners, including names of key collaborators and contact information. (AAP defines community partners as non-corporate and non-government groups, organizations, or public entities that share the college's commitment to equity and dialogue.)

Letter of collaboration

Provide a letter written by your community partner that expresses support for your proposed project or collaboration.

Budget Breakdown

Present all costs with relevant detail and purpose.

Budget Total

Simply state the total amount you are requesting.

Questions and Additional Information

For questions and additional information, please contact Sydney Boyd, Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives.