Generative AI for the Future of Learning

Generative AI for the Future of Learning

Request for Proposals 

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence invite proposals for innovative designs and/or research on critical issues and applications of generative AI in learning contexts.

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning seeks to accelerate solutions to the most pressing challenges facing learners. Housed at Stanford Graduate School of Education, the Stanford Accelerator for Learning is the first university-wide initiative connecting scholars across disciplines and with external partners to bridge research, innovation, practice, and policy, and bring quality scalable and equitable learning experiences to all learners, throughout the lifespan.

The Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence’s vision for the future is led by the commitment to promote human-centered uses of AI, design for it using human-centered methods, and ensure that humanity benefits from the technology and that the benefits are broadly shared. In support of these goals, our research falls into three key focus areas: Human Impact, Augment Human Capabilities, and Intelligence.

Generative AI is artificial intelligence that can generate novel content by utilizing existing text, audio files, or images. Generative AI has now reached a tipping point where it can produce high quality output that can support many different kinds of tasks. For example, ChatGPT can write essays and code, DALL-E can create images and art, while other forms of generative AI can produce recipes, music, and videos. These new forms of generative AI have the capacity to change how we think, create, teach, and also learn. They may also change our perspective on what is important to learn.

Most generative AI tools were not built for educational purposes, and advances in the technology have outpaced research and design of their application to learning contexts. We invite scholars and students from across Stanford University to submit proposals for innovative designs and/or studies that explore how generative AI can be applied in novel ways to support learning and/or investigate critical issues in learning contexts. 

There is an opportunity for research and design solutions to shape future applications of this emerging technology in an ethical, equitable, and safe manner. This seed grant will fund early and exploratory stages of this work, such as designs, prototypes, and pilot studies that have the potential to scale or have broad impact. In line with this goal, we will accept the following types of proposals:

• Design proposals which produce a working prototype of an AI-based learning tool or an intervention that applies an existing AI learning tool. Designs should be grounded in user/stakeholder contexts and needs.

• Empirical research proposals that investigate questions or hypotheses around generative AI and the future of learning.

• A combination of design and empirical work. 

Proposals may target any type of learner (e.g., worker, student, teacher, family) in any setting (e.g., workplaces, museums, classrooms, homes). We especially welcome proposals that focus on one or more of the Accelerator’s areas of concentration including: 

• early childhood learning and development

• learning differences and the future of special education 

• equity and learners

• workforce learning 

Proposals that support student RAs are also encouraged. However, all proposals that investigate generative AI in learning contexts will be considered for funding.

ACCELERATOR STUDIO SUPPORT SERVICES

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning is dedicated to accelerating solutions anchored in the science and design of learning, and offers technical, research, and partnership consulting for grantees to aid their work. This is implemented through the Accelerator Studio, a new service model that provides extensive support services to help guide the design of effective, scalable solutions anchored in the rapidly growing research from the learning sciences. For example, an instructor with a great learning innovation may not have experience researching its effects on learning. Alternatively, a faculty member may have an idea for a new digital learning tool or application, but not have access to technologists to bring it to life.  The Stanford Accelerator for Learning is equipped to provide additional support from Accelerator Studio staff with relevant expertise.  If awarded a grant, the specific needs and allocation of support will be determined through consultation with the Accelerator Studio. Examples of Accelerator Studio support include:

• Technology support. Ideation, storyboarding, prototyping, interface design, instructional design, app development and testing, cloud services, and media production.

• Research support.  Research conceptualization and measure design, execution of quantitative and/or qualitative research in the lab or field, data use agreements and storage, guidance for working with Stanford’s Institutional Review Board.

• Science and design of learning. Evidence-based strategies for improving learning experiences, as well as guidance on avoiding common mistakes that interfere with learning. 

• Partnership support. Finding and helping to broker prospective participants and partner organizations outside of Stanford (e.g., middle school students, community garden partners, tech companies, etc.). 

ELIGIBILITY & AWARD AMOUNTS

Faculty Seed Grants

Two tiers of funding are available to faculty:

• Up to $100,000, with option for supplemental Accelerator Studio service support. This level of funding is open to collaborative proposals that include either (a) two or more Stanford PI-eligible faculty from different departments, schools, or other academic units or (b) one Stanford PI-eligible faculty member plus an external partner. External partners may include schools, community-based organizations, technology based firms, businesses, non-profits, and other organizations who are interested in advancing learning opportunities in generative AI and invested in partnership with experts at Stanford University. 

• Up to $50,000, with option for supplemental Accelerator Studio service support. This level of funding is open to Stanford PI-eligible faculty and may or may not include a collaboration. 

See guidelines on PI Eligibility in the Stanford Research Policy Handbook Chapter 2.1.

Faculty selected to receive funds will be enrolled as Faculty Affiliates with the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, opening the doors to additional engagement opportunities and resources. To support faculty who are new to aspects of technology development and/or human subjects research, applicants may also request supplemental support to be used only for Accelerator Studio service support (see above). Grant proposals that seek supplemental support services should include a separate section explaining their potential support needs and whether those are technical, research, learning design, partnership, or some combination. If awarded a grant, we will work together to determine the specific allocation of support through consultation, so please do not include these funds in your budget.

Academic Staff Seed Grants 

Up to $10,000, with option for supplemental Accelerator Studio service support

Full-time academic staff, including lecturers, may apply for funding if they receive approval from their supervisor.  To support academic staff who are new to aspects of technology development and/or human subjects research, applicants may also request supplemental funds to be used only for Accelerator Studio service support (see above). Grant proposals that seek supplemental funding for support services, should include a separate section explaining their potential support needs, and whether those are technical, research, learning design, partnership, or some combination. If awarded a grant, we will work together to determine the specific allocation of support through consultation, so please do not include these funds in your budget.

Student and Postdoc Grants

Up to $5,000

Postdocs, students, or teams may apply. Projects must include at least one Stanford student (undergrad or grad) or postdoc and can include collaborations with external organizations or institutions. (Post-docs will need approval from their faculty supervisors.)  For students interested in diving deeper into learning design and educational technology, the Digital Learning Design Challenge offers workshops and potential for mentorship and additional funding.

TIMELINE

Funded projects will have 15 months to spend their award. Faculty and academic staff seed grant project periods must start no earlier than April 3, 2023 and finish by June 30, 2024. 

Student seed grant project periods must start no earlier than April 3, 2023 and finish by April 3, 2024 or end of quarter of graduation, whichever is earlier.

Key dates:  

• Proposals Due: March 1, 2023 11:59 pm PT

• Awards Announced and grant period begins: April 3, 2023*

* If human subjects research is involved, funds cannot be released until IRB approval has been obtained

* Funds cannot be released until proposals have sufficiently addressed any ethical and societal risks 

REQUIREMENTS

• Participation in 2-3 seed grant recipient meetings

• A short interim report and a final report

GRANT PROPOSAL SECTIONS

• Project abstract

• Background and problem statement

• Design and/or research plan with timeline

• Potential for broader impact

• Ethics and Society Review (ESR) statement: (1) Detail the ethical challenges and possible negative societal impacts of the proposed research. What are the possible long-term consequences of this research and (2) Articulate general principles that you will use to eliminate or mitigate these issues. Then, translate those principles into the specific design decisions you are making in your proposed research. 

  • ​​​​​Read more details about the ESR statement and process.

• Roles and contributions of all project personnel and contributions of collaborators, if applicable.

• If Accelerator Studio support services are requested, explain any technical, research, or partnership service needs. 

• Requested funding and budget plan (e.g., 25% RA 2qtrs, travel $3K, equipment $4K). Budget MUST include an 8% infrastructure charge. Capital equipment ($5k+) will not be funded. 

*Proposal sections can be entered and submitted on the Stanford Seed Funding website. Each proposal section is limited to 200-300 words.

*Note that proposals must comply with all applicable laws, University Policies (such as the University's code of conduct and intellectual property policy), and contractual terms, including the terms of service for generative AI tools or applications.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Stanford Accelerator for Learning and the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence will review proposals based on:

• Likelihood to make a positive impact on our education system, our learners, our communities, and/or our lives

• Novelty or innovation in the application, development or study of generative AI in support of learning

• Intellectual merit of the proposal, balanced with quality and creativity

• Involving multiple disciplines 

• Whether the proposed team has the proper credentials to complete the project

• Alignment with one or more of the areas of concentration listed above

• Ability to address and mitigate ethical and societal risks

MORE INFORMATION

Seed Grant Information Sessions will be held via Zoom to provide an overview of the project and answer questions from prospective applicants.  These optional sessions will be held on:

• February 9, 12:00pm - 1:00pm PT

• February 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm PT

If you cannot attend the information sessions and/or have other questions please contact Cathy Chase (cchase@stanford.edu), senior research scholar and seed program manager, Stanford Accelerator for Learning. 

Proposals may be submitted via the Stanford Seed Funding website.