UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence invites applications for the Curriculum and Instruction Renewal Program (CIRP) for program-level renewal projects that align with the mission of the Schreyer Institute.
CIRP is a faculty-driven program that aims to empower academic units to facilitate program-level curricular growth, adaptation and innovation that enrich undergraduate instruction. The program compensates labor associated with curriculum and instructional redesign and prepares instructors to teach the revised curriculum. Interested applicants can review current CIRP projects. CIRP projects are not for individual faculty seeking to redesign a course; instead, they may focus on:
- redesigning curriculum and instruction to reduce barriers to learning, enable all students to achieve their learning potential and improve progression toward degree attainment — such as redeveloping high-enrollment courses with high drop, fail or withdrawal rates, resequencing of required or prerequisite courses, developing learning pathways
- aligning curriculum and instruction with current, evidence-based instructional practices to meet student needs — such as alternative grading, experiential learning and integration of student support resources
- revising curriculum and instruction to address significant changes or challenges to teaching and learning — such as artificial intelligence literacy, demographic shifts, instructional capacity, significant changes in professional or industry standards
CIRP grants include supplemental compensation of $3,000 for a faculty member who will serve as a CIRP fellow to lead the program-level effort. In addition to financial support for a faculty member who leads the project, units may request funds for activities that prepare faculty to teach in the revised curriculum. Funds can also be requested for materials, student wages or honoraria for experts, such as colleagues from other institutions who have implemented similar programs or changes. Project budget proposals should not exceed $2,000.
To begin the application process, interested applicants should meet with a Schreyer Institute consultant to discuss initial ideas before April 10. To schedule a meeting, send an email with CIRP in the subject to SITE@psu.edu. Faculty will hear by May 1 if their project has been selected for development into a full proposal. Invited applications are due June 30, and applicants will be notified by July 31.
The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education.