Touro University Faculty Innovation Grant Program

The Office of the Provost is pleased to announce the 2025 Touro University Faculty Innovation Grants Focusing on Integrating Mixed Reality in Teaching and Learning. This grant is intended to support faculty in the development of student assignments and assessments using mixed reality technology for one or more courses in the 2025-2026 academic year. All full-time, part-time, and adjunct faculty with anticipated teaching responsibilities for the following academic year (2025-2026) are eligible to apply. The grant period will be from January 2, 2025, to June 31, 2025. Recipients will receive a $500 grant for their full participation in the program, including their development of mixed reality experiences for students to use within one course module, one assignment or additional learning experience to take place outside of class and one assessment strategy. Awardees will also be expected to participate in training programs to share their knowledge. Faculty with all levels of mixed reality experience are welcome to apply.

Virtual reality headsets and software are available at the Mixed Reality Lab located at the Cross-River campus (room 742) and loaner headsets are available for checkout through the Cross-River campus library. Grant recipients will receive access to software available through the Mixed Reality Lab.

Eligibility:

• Any full-time, part-time, or adjunct faculty member at New York campuses with anticipated teaching responsibilities for the following academic year (2025-2026).
• Faculty with all levels of mixed reality experience are welcome to apply.

Participants will: 

• Identify and develop three resources in mixed reality for a specific course, completing the work by the end of the grant period and incorporating the resources into a Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 course.
  • One mixed reality experience to be used in a course module.
  • One mixed reality assignment or additional learning experience, to take place outside of class.
  • One assessment within mixed reality to evaluate student learning.
• Attend mixed reality trainings and webinars through the Mixed Reality lab.
• Present (virtually) their work to faculty through the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) in Summer 2025 or Fall 2025.
• Engage in mixed reality advocacy efforts at Touro, as an ambassador during the grant period and beyond.
• Meet with Dr. Rima Aranha (Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives/ Director, CETL) for monthly check-ins regarding the progress of their projects.
• Receive a Faculty Development badge through CETL for completing the mixed reality grant program.

The deadline for submission is December 23, 2024. Please submit the completed application form (with CV) to Bailey Stephens at bstephens@touro.edu.

Faculty Innovation Grant Program Application

Questions? Please email Gabby Rosenblum, Special Assistant to the Provost, at grosenbl4@touro.edu.