The University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is committed to offering innovative, high-impact, and real-world opportunities to all its students through experience-driven programs. Experiential learning (EL) is “the specific process by which a student acquires knowledge or meets learning goals through experience.” Effective EL addresses four learning modes: “hands-on experience,” “reflection,” the “integration of the experience with previous learning,” and an “opportunity to test new ideas.” Examples include academic internships, community-partnered field experiences, organization-partnered experiences, simulated work experiences, and more. High-quality EL programs deepen graduate and undergraduate education, respond to the needs of society, contribute to community-campus relationships, and enhance the reputation of the University.
The Office of the Vice-Principal Academic & Dean (OVPAD) continues to offer the Experiential Learning Development Grant to offset the range of costs associated with the development and delivery of EL opportunities (e.g., administrative support, research assistance, equipment purchases, software licenses, etc.).
UTM faculty may apply for one-time funding of up to $5,000 per project to support the short-term development and implementation of EL opportunities in courses scheduled to be offered within two years. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Deadlines: November 21, 2022 and May 29, 2023.
Funding can be used towards a variety of purposes, for instance hiring research assistants to support course planning; purchasing equipment, consumables, or software licenses; covering group transportation or registration costs for field experiences; and other expenses downloaded to students that would normally be listed as an ancillary fee. Expenses associated with guest speakers (e.g., honouraria), hospitality (e.g., event space, catering), or Research Opportunity Program courses are not eligible for this grant.
Interested applicants should complete and submit an Experiential Learning Development Grant Application prior to the appropriate deadline. Should you have any questions about this funding opportunity, please contact Rena Banwait at rena.banwait@utoronto.ca.