Sep 18, 2025

Dear colleagues,

We are pleased to announce a call for proposals for the newly established UC Irvine Innovative Methods for Pedagogical AI Course Transformation (IMPACT) Program. The campus has made available $1 million to fund up to 30 course transformation proposals for faculty and graduate students to engage in these activities.

Through the incorporation of AI in the classroom, the IMPACT Program aims to transform the large enrollment, introductory course experience to one where every student is engaged with a personalized learning ecosystem. The program envisions that these courses will result in enhanced student outcomes and serve as examples that can be replicated across UC Irvine and beyond. Faculty who participate in the program will help the campus better understand the process of integrating AI in the classroom.

Proposals will be accepted through October 17, 2025. The full proposal details can be found at the UC Irvine IMPACT webpage.

Individual faculty, small teams of faculty, or entire departments who are responsible for teaching large enrollment introductory courses (or smaller enrollment courses taught across multiple sections) will propose to use AI to address one or more challenges that are often inadequately managed in the introductory course experience. Examples include meaningful assessment, writing feedback, and incorporating active learning practices.

Track 1 will include faculty who are currently innovators in the AI and teaching space but who want to take their course transformation to the next level. Track 2 will include faculty who are interested in AI-driven course transformation but need more support to be successful in implementation. DTEI will partner with selected faculty to provide training, mentorship, and hands-on support throughout the transformation process. For program questions, please feel free to reach out to Associate Dean for the Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation Brian Sato.

Through the UC Irvine IMPACT Program, the campus will continue to develop best practices in teaching and learning, while also being thoughtful regarding how AI has the potential to positively impact the student learning experience.

Sincerely,

Hal Stern
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Distinguished Professor, Department of Statistics

Michael Dennin
Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning
Professor, Physics and Astronomy