The Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Development (MAESD) has announced the establishment of a new fund, the Career Ready Fund (CRF), to support experiential learning opportunities at Ontario’s universities and colleges. Building on the June 2016 report of the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel, the CRF will comprise five streams of funding, to be launched over the next three years, which will support different aspects of experiential learning.

The first stream to be launched targets the expansion of institutional capacity for experiential learning opportunities at all Ontario post-secondary institutions. This stream will provide up to $1.75 million to the University of Toronto over the next two years.

The new provincial funds will combine with the recent University Fund allocation of $1 million per year for the next three years to support experiential learning opportunities at the University of Toronto. The cumulative funding presents a significant opportunity for first-entry undergraduate divisions to review, revise, and implement new strategies and programming in an area of growing interest for students, faculty, government, and the public.

First-entry undergraduate divisions interested in increasing or enhancing the quality, quantity, and support for experiential learning opportunities are eligible to submit applications to the Vice-Provost, Innovations in Undergraduate Education by Friday, September 29.

Please contact your Dean’s Office for more information on the CRF guidelines, initiative eligibility, and application requirements.