Eligibility and Application Information
Interested in applying for funding and support for your curriculum project?
Any UVA unit (e.g., department, school, program) responsible for a credit-bearing curriculum is eligible to apply. The unit should be in the early stages of designing a new or revising an existing curriculum, or of engaging in a similar project involving multiple members of the unit collaborating around curricular and/or pedagogical changes.
The nature and scale of the project may vary: a unit may be working on all or part of an undergraduate major or minor, a graduate degree program, or a concentration or certificate program. The unit may be designing a new program from scratch, fully redesigning an existing curriculum, or redesigning some part of an existing curriculum (e.g., incorporating one or more new learning outcomes throughout the curriculum, or redesigning a subset of courses).
These projects are typically lengthy and complex, and we have learned that it is worthwhile to spend time up front assessing readiness, clarifying expectations, and ensuring that we are able to provide the right level and type of support for your particular project. Applying is therefore a multi-step process. This process also effectively begins the work of the project and encompasses much of the project planning work.
Step 1: Initial Project Discussion
Contact Elizabeth Dickens to schedule an initial discussion. After this meeting, if we mutually agree that the project is a good fit for the program, you’ll be invited to move to Step 2.
If the CTE does not currently have capacity to support your project, or if we collectively decide that it would be better for you to wait to apply, the process may be paused at this point and resumed when we have capacity or when your unit is ready.
Step 2: Written Application
Once invited to do so, complete a written application form. You will provide details about:
The curriculum to be (re)designed
Your unit’s culture and readiness for the project
The curriculum development team leading the work
Anticipated project funding needs
Demonstrated commitment from the unit leadership
Most projects will move from Step 2 to Step 3, but it is possible that the written application will illuminate barriers to the likely success of some projects. In those cases, we will discuss next steps, which may include delaying the project until the unit is ready or agreeing not to move forward with the application.
Step 3: Project Plan Discussions
The curriculum development team meets with the CTE 1-3 times (depending on project scope and complexity) to clarify project details (goals, timeline, budget) and the process we will undertake together.
These meetings effectively begin the work of the project, but we hold them as part of the application process to ensure that expectations for all parties are as clear as possible before fully committing to the work. The number of project plan meetings will depend on the size and complexity of the project. Especially in the case of a large project, you should expect to meet several times as we all develop the project plan and begin our work together.
Step 4: Final Project Agreement and Funding
All parties sign the CTE’s customized project agreement and budget. Funding for the first fiscal year of the project will be transferred to the unit, and we will commence work.
More about our approach to Curriculum (Re)Design.
More about the personalized support units receive throughout the process.
See examples of the process in action.
List of participating units from 2020 to the present.
Frequently asked questions about the program.
