The University of Colorado System Office of Academic Affairs, in partnership with the Office of the President, announced on March 19 that it is accepting submissions for three new systemwide awards and grants. These initiatives are designed to recognize and support innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching, learning, scholarly, and creative work across all CU campuses.
The announcement highlights the university’s commitment to fostering a culture of innovation by encouraging faculty and staff to explore bold applications of AI that can improve student outcomes and advance impactful research. The awards are not limited to any specific AI platform or tool, allowing for a wide range of creative approaches.
Three opportunities are available: the CU System AI Recognition Award for Teaching & Learning, the CU System AI Recognition Award for Scholarly & Creative Work, and the CU System AI Sprint Grant for Teaching & Learning. Faculty and staff are encouraged to submit nominations or proposals by March 30, 2026. The university also encourages sharing this opportunity with colleagues who are advancing innovative work in AI.
The AI Recognition Award for Teaching & Learning honors faculty who use AI in their teaching practices to achieve measurable improvements in student learning aligned with course goals. The award seeks projects that have an impact beyond individual courses. Tenure or tenure-track faculty as well as full-time instructional series faculty are eligible.
The AI Recognition Award for Scholarly & Creative Work recognizes faculty whose use of artificial intelligence leads to significant outcomes in their field. Eligible nominees include full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty and full-time research professor track faculty.
The Sprint Grant aims to provide resources and time for faculty developing new pedagogical strategies using AI within a single course. This grant is intended to keep pace with rapid developments in artificial intelligence while supporting experimentation aimed at improving student performance relative to course objectives.
Faculty interested in these opportunities can learn more through the Office of Academic Affairs.
