The College

Course Development Funds

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Course Development Funds

Innovative course development is fundamental to Brown’s open curriculum. Mini-grants support small-scale projects, materials, or activities in undergraduate classes. Larger grants are available to develop new undergraduate courses or revise existing courses in ways that promote strategic initiatives.

Brown faculty scheduled to teach courses in the current and/or following academic year are eligible to apply for course development funds. Recipients will typically be expected to report on their funded activities and the outcomes of the curriculum (re)design. Funds are not eligible for individual compensation for Brown-affiliated instructors, staff, or postdocs. Priority may be given to applicants who have not received course development funding from the College in the last year.

For any questions regarding course development funds, please contact the College at course_development@brown.edu.

Course Development Funds

General course development fun for humanities and social sciences courses. Priority given to new or re-designed: First-Year Seminars (FYS) and Sophomore Seminars (SOPH).

FYS Guidelines      SOPH Guidelines

  • Amount: Up to $4,000
  • Application Periods:
    • Fall Review: Applications open May 1, 2025 and close August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 courses
    • Spring Review: Applications open November 3, 2025 and close December 5, 2025 for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 courses

Apply in UFunds

Awards for courses that examine issues of structural inequality, racial formations and/or disparities, and systems of power, with priority for survey or introductory-level courses (below-1000 level) and interdisciplinary courses (including team-taught courses).

More on Examining Race, Power & Privilege

  • Amount: Up to $5,000
  • Application Periods:
    • Fall Review: Applications open May 1, 2025 and close August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 courses
    • Spring Review: Applications open November 3, 2025 and close December 5, 2025 for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 courses

Apply in UFunds

Salomon Curricular Mini-grants

Salomon Curricular Mini-grants provide up to $500 to support the integration of learning activities into an existing undergraduate course with at least ten enrolled students.

Funds may be used to support guest speakers, to purchase materials for a course, and to finance class field trips (see the University Policies on course-related travel, and, if necessary, download student travel waiver forms), among other expenses. Given our institutional commitment to equity and inclusion of all students regardless of available financial resources, we urge instructors to consider including requests for expenses that students might otherwise incur, including costs related to student projects and research.

  • Amount: Up to $500
  • Application Periods:
    • Fall Review: Applications open May 1, 2025 and close August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 courses.
    • Spring Review: Applications open November 3, 2025 and close December 5, 2025 for Spring 2026 courses

Apply in UFunds

Summer Session website     Winter Session website

  • Amount: Up to $4,000
  • Deadline: Rolling

Contact pcsugcourses@brown.edu for more information.

The Tarrant Endowed Teaching Fund supports activities associated with teaching a course that communicates stories about issues of social and cultural importance through documentary film, and also teaches innovative means of distributing these films with current technology. These course-related activities may include, but are not limited to, teaching, symposia, guest speakers, and visiting scholars; supporting new programming initiatives or underwriting curricular innovations; equipment and materials; or giving faculty the resources to underwrite student projects or research (providing travel funds, research or project support).

For 2024-25, proposals will be reviewed and decisions announced on a rolling basis. Priority will be given to those who apply by the priority deadlines below:

  • Amount: Flexible
  • Application Periods:
    • Fall Review: Applications open May 1, 2025 and close August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 courses
    • Spring Review: Applications open November 3, 2025 and close December 5, 2025 for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 courses

Apply in UFunds

Global Experiential Learning & Teaching Grant

  • Amount: Up to $35,000
  • Deadline: Typically Spring

Email gelt@brown.edu with questions. Past recipients are showcased in News from Brown and the Brown Daily Herald

The Judith H. Zern 1964 Endowed Teaching Fund supports course development in the biological and physical sciences or an interdisciplinary course that straddles the sciences.

  • Amount: Flexible
  • Application Periods:
    • Fall Review: Applications open May 1, 2025 and close August 15, 2025 for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 courses
    • Spring Review: Applications open November 3, 2025 and close December 5, 2025 for Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 courses

Apply in UFunds

With the exception of September, when the volume tends to be highest, faculty can expect to hear back within approximately two weeks of the deadline. Applications submitted after a deadline will be considered after the next deadline has passed. Faculty who have already received a grant during a given academic year may submit another proposal for the December 5th deadline if additional funds remain.

 

Community-Based Learning and Research (CBLR) Course Mini-Grants

Community-Based Learning and Research (CBLR) Course Mini-Grants provide up to $500 to support expenses related to implementing an engaged course, such as honoraria for community-based guest speakers and partners; or printing, supplies, or small equipment necessary to complete engaged projects. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis in UFunds.

​More about CBLR Course Mini-Grants