The Center for 21st Century Universities (C21U), as part of Georgia Tech College of Lifetime Learning, is pleased to issue this call for proposals for the 2025 Bill Kent Family Foundation AI in Higher Education Fellowship (hereafter, the BKFF AI Fellowship). The BKFF AI Fellowship aims to empower educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) tools into their teaching practices. This fellowship will focus on two key areas: the development of class materials, the implementation of AI in the classroom, and ensuring that students learn to use AI responsibly. By participating in this fellowship, educators will enhance their teaching methodologies and contribute to a forward-thinking educational environment at Georgia Tech.

We anticipate that Fellowship awardees will serve as instructional AI Ambassadors for the Institute, working with colleagues at Tech and select partner institutions to serve as subject matter experts, and enhance their capacity to leverage AI in their classrooms. All submitted fellowship proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of Institute faculty members for funding considerations.

Fellowship Activities and Timeline

Fall 2025

• Attend kickoff, lunch and learn discussions, and training sessions.
• Begin development of classroom materials.

Spring 2026

• Begin implementation of AI materials in classes.
• Present experiences and outcomes to Fellows.

Summer 2026

• Submit report on outcomes/experiences.

Fall 2026

• Mentor the next cohort of Fellows.

Important Details

Eligibility: The fellowship is open to all Georgia Tech academic professionals and lecturers (APLs), professors of the practice, and tenured faculty who are interested in advancing their understanding and application of AI in higher education.

Funding amount: Each fellowship awardee will receive $9,000 to support the use of instructional AI and related activities. A subset of funding is explicitly reserved to support administrative Fellowship operations, logistics, and support.

Limitations: Investigators can be PI on only one proposal, but may serve as co-PIs or team members on up to two other proposals.

Salary: Faculty salary support is not encouraged, but will be considered under exceptional circumstances.

Indirect: No indirect costs should be included in budgets. 

Proposals: To be considered for funding for the BKFF AI Fellowship, applicants must use the Institute’s internal competition system, InfoReady, and submit their materials by Monday, September 15, 2025. The following items are required for submission:

1. A fellowship proposal narrative (2-page maximum) in PDF format. The proposal narrative must provide a proposed utilization or value-add of AI technologies in instruction, course design, and/or pedagogy; and a proposed approach to student/learner ethical and responsible AI usage.
2. A proposed budget.
3. A current CV.

Please note that only one proposal will be accepted per applicant.

Key dates: We anticipate fellowship selection to be announced by Tuesday, September 30, 2025. The performance period for these awards will be October 1, 2025, through October 30, 2026.

Please send any requests for additional information to Eric Sembrat.