The Language Committee at Columbia University seeks proposals for Instructional Innovation Projects that enhance language teaching and learning at Columbia. Proposals from all languages and all levels of instruction are welcome.
The grants are meant to allow language lecturers to develop new pedagogical approaches or classroom practices that will have an immediate, practical, and meaningful impact on the language classroom.
Learn More
What types of grants are available?
- Exploratory grants: These are grants of up to $2000, which allow language lecturers to explore the feasibility of a potential project, or help conceptualize a curricular innovation. An exploratory grant may be a precursor to a later implementation grant.
- Implementation grants: These are grants of up to $5000, which support more developed projects with well-articulated pedagogical objectives and classroom applications. They can be awarded for new projects, or as a follow-up to expand the scope of a previous pilot grant project.
Not sure how to start? Reach out to LRC Educational Technologist Kim Edmunds (kme2131@columbia.edu) at any time to talk through any questions and thoughts you have.
How will my proposal be evaluated?
Proposals are evaluated by the Language Committee, using the Instructional Innovation Grant Rubric as a guide.
Are there any limitations?
These grants are not intended to fund the following:
- travel
- conferences
- library enrichment
Funding for these items is available through your home department, or Arts and Sciences.
Note that any equipment purchased for the project will be returned to the LRC at the end of the grant period.
What are important dates to know?
Grants are awarded in May 2025, and are funded from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Before March 11, 2025 – Consultation with LRC Educational Technologist Kim Edmunds (kme2131@columbia.edu)
April 11, 2025 – Final proposals due
May 2025 – Grants awarded by Language Committee
July 1, 2025 – Funding cycle begins
December 15, 2025 – Progress report due (for awardees)
April-May, 2026 – Informal project presentation
June 30, 2026 – End of funding cycle, final report due