CTL Graduate Teaching Grants
CTL Graduate Teaching grants are offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) to fund the development, implementation, and evaluation of education development programming or resources that support improved learning outcomes for all students. CTL Graduate Teaching grants are awarded on a rolling basis in amounts up to $1,000. All Stanford graduate students are eligible to apply.
Grant goals
The goal of the Graduate Teaching grants is to enable graduate students to improve teaching assistant (TA) support within their departments or programs. For all students to thrive in the Stanford classroom, TAs need a range of flexible tools that enable them to reach students from varied backgrounds and interests, to remove barriers to student learning, and to promote learning for all students. TAs also need spaces and structures that will help them share pedagogical techniques and tools across cohorts.
Funds can be used to support:
- Departmental TA Orientation: design and implement a new TA/CA orientation for your department, or substantially revise an existing orientation.
- Departmental workshop series: design and implement a workshop series or course for your department or program that focuses on promoting learning for all students.
- Programming: create and implement programming that focuses on TA community-building, mentorship, or other topics that relate to graduate teaching.
- Resources or tools: create a TA handbook or website for your department or program, a shareable resource on pedagogical practices, a digital tool, or another resource.
Application details
CTL Graduate Teaching grant applications are due quarterly. The due dates for the 24–25 academic year are projected as follows, but subject to change based on funding availability. Due dates will be updated if and as the funding availability shifts:
- November 15, 2024 at 5 p.m. (for projects taking place January 1–August 15, 2025)
- March 4, 2025 at 5 p.m. (for projects taking place April 1–August 15, 2025)
- May 23, 2025 at 5 p.m. (for projects taking place September 1, 2025–August 15, 2026)
Applications will be assessed using the CTL Graduate Teaching grants rubric.
View the application questions and apply: CTL Graduate Teaching grant application.
Please review the Frequently Asked Questions below before applying. For additional questions about CTL Graduate Teaching grant applications, please contact Dr. Amanda Modell at amandamodell at stanford dot edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
This set of frequently asked questions is designed to clarify the purpose, expectations, and scope of the CTL Graduate Teaching grants program.
What is the difference between a CTL Graduate Teaching grant and a LIT fellowship?
CTL Graduate Teaching grants are designed for independent work, usually involving a single grantee or two at the most. While a consultation session or two with CTL is possible for Graduate Teaching grant recipients, there is no-long term support associated with the grant. If you are looking for a community to develop your teaching project with, you would be better suited by a LIT fellowship.
What can my budget for a Graduate Teaching grant include?
All budgets for Graduate Teaching grants should include pay for the grant recipients ($100 per student involved with the project) and can include funds for associated program supplies or refreshments. If you have specific ideas for GREAT grant spending that is beyond graduate student pay or program supplies, please write for more information (amanda dot modell at stanford.edu) or request a consultation.
If I receive a Graduate Teaching grant, can I book a room for my event through CTL?
No, CTL does not offer room reservation or other administrative services to Graduate Teaching grant recipients. We recommend that you reach out to your department’s student services officer to book a room or for other administrative support (see question 4).
Who will administer the funds for my Graduate Teaching grant?
The $100 payment for each student affiliated with a Graduate Teaching grant will be paid by CTL. For program supplies and refreshments, your department’s finance administrator will need to administer the grant, often through reimbursements.
Are Graduate Teaching grants available for programs that support removing barriers for graduate students as students?
Graduate Teaching grants are designed to support graduate students as educators (teaching assistants and course instructors). Programming related to graduate students’ experience as students is better served by DIF grants, SPICE grants, and campus engagement mini-grants.
Who is the appropriate audience for Graduate Teaching grant programming?
Graduate Teaching grants are designed to support graduate students as educators (teaching assistants and course instructors).
Can I use my Graduate Teaching grant funds to pay guest speakers?
No, Graduate Teaching grant funds should not be used to pay external speakers. Graduate Teaching grant funds are typically used for program supplies and student stipends.
What will I be expected to provide to CTL if I receive a Graduate Teaching grant?
Each Graduate Teaching grant recipient is expected to provide a deliverable that they used in their project, such as a slide deck, handout, or reading list. You may also be asked to provide brief, informal updates by email about the project’s progress. Preparing the deliverable and updates should not incur any significant additional work for the recipients.
I previously applied for a Graduate Teaching grant and wasn’t funded. Am I eligible to reapply?
Yes! Whether your previous application was successful or not, you are welcome to reapply. If you have already been funded with a Graduate Teaching grant, please explain in your application how the next iteration will significantly expand on the previous grant project.
How will the deliverable from my Graduate Teaching grant project be stored and shared?
Graduate Teaching grant deliverables will be stored on the CTL and/or Teaching Commons websites so that they can serve as inspiration for the campus community. Deliverables may also be shared in the CTL Grad Newsletter.
Will CTL staff be able to mentor me through my work as a CTL Graduate Teaching grant recipient?
CTL Graduate Teaching grants are designed for independent work. While a consultation session or two with CTL is possible for Graduate Teaching grant recipients, there is no ongoing nor long term support associated with the grant.
Will CTL be able to help me publicize my Graduate Teaching grant event? How does this process work?
Yes, CTL can help to publicize your Graduate Teaching grant event if you would like. In order for this to happen, you will need to provide a written advertisement for your event at least 6 weeks prior to the event in the following format:
Event Title
Day, Month ##, 202#, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. PST
Location
Register or RSVP link [link URL]
Event blurb, most appealing/interesting point first. (max 50 words)
Questions? Who to contact at stanford.edu
[URL or folder location of any image you want to include]