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Call for Proposals – Learning and Education Advancement Fund (PDAD&C #74)

From: Mark Schmuckler, Acting Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education
Date: June 4, 2021
Re: Call for Proposals – Learning and Education Advancement Fund (PDAD&C #74)


The Office of the Vice-Provost, Innovation in Undergraduate Education is pleased to announce that the Learning Education & Advancement Fund (LEAF) is now open for the 2021/2022 academic year and details can be found on the new LEAF website.  

The focus of the LEAF program is to enrich the learning experience of undergraduate students in first-entry Divisions across the University by supporting projects that anticipate, leverage, and create positive changes in both the modes and mechanisms of undergraduate education. The program provides faculty, programs and units with a means to develop and enhance the application of high-impact teaching practices within the range of learning environments at the University. 

LEAF supports two tiers of grant applications, both to a maximum of three years:  

  • Seed ($5,000 – $10,000/year)  
  • Impact ($10,000 – $100,000/year)  

Redesigned Application Process 

The LEAF program has recently been redesigned to enhance support for faculty interested in developing proposals to the program. The revised process now includes a two-stage application that requires the submission of an Expression of Interest (EoI) prior to the submission of a full application. This new model is intended to increase faculty engagement with the program prior to final submission and provide interested faculty with additional supports as they consider potential projects.  

Under the new framework, the VPIUE will be accepting Expressions of Interest (EoI) for both Seed and Impact grants on a rolling basis between June and September. After submitting an EoI, applicants will meet with a designate from the OVPIUE at which point successful applications will be invited to submit a full LEAF application. More information about this updated two-part process is available on the Application & Eligibility portion of the LEAF website.

To learn more about eligibility, LEAF criteria, priorities, and process, please visit the LEAF website recently integrated with the new VPIUE Website and direct question to vp.iue@utoronto.ca

Strategies for Writing an Effective Teaching and Learning Grant Workshop 

In support of instructors and staff interested in the LEAF program, as well as the Instructional Technology and Innovation Fund (ITIF) and other teaching and learning funding opportunities, the OVPIUE, the Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation, and Academic & Collaborative Technologies will be jointly hosting a workshop that will share general strategies and suggestions for successful applications and discuss the main criteria that these proposals should address.  

The first of these workshops, “Strategies for Writing an Effective Teaching and Learning Grant” will be held on June 22, 2021 from 2:00 – 3:30 PM.  For more information and to register, please follow the following registration link:  https://ctsi.eve.utoronto.ca/home/events/1654.