Penn State Announces New Artificial Intelligence Grants For Faculty

Penn State Announces New Artificial Intelligence Grants For Faculty

Penn State faculty can now apply for two grants from the AI Center of Excellence for Teaching and Learning designed to support integrating artificial intelligence into teaching and learning, the university announced on September 30.

The AI in Institution Microgrant Program supports small-scale integration of generative AI for individuals and offers awards of up to $1,000 to individual faculty members.

Up to 50 grants will be awarded during the spring semester.

The Program or Large Course Transformation Grant Program is intended for team-based efforts at the course or program level. The program offers awards of up to $50,000, available for teams of three or more faculty members.

The program will fund between six and 10 projects for the 2027-28 academic year. Alongside AI integration, grant proposals must incorporate experiential learning, reimagined assessment, or civic learning.

The AI Center of Excellence aims to support the thoughtful and responsible integration of artificial intelligence across the university by developing and providing AI literacy training; facilitating implementation for students, faculty, and staff; and supporting faculty-led curricular innovation.

Both programs align with Penn State’s AI Transformation Initiative, which the university described as a “human-centered vision for artificial intelligence with student learning and literacy, employee skill-building and research central to the university-wide approach.”

The university explained that funds from the programs may be used for course buyouts, software subscriptions, course materials, student assistant support, and professional development directly related to the proposed project.

Applicants must also complete the AI Essentials at Penn State training and have their unit head’s support to be eligible.

Joni is a first-year student studying broadcast journalism with a minor in political science. You can usually find her record shopping, drinking coffee, or grabbing a bagel at Irving's. You can email her at [email protected] with inquiries or bagel order recommendations. You can also find her on Instagram @jonimarieeee or on X (formerly Twitter) @JoniMarieStuch