This round of LITE Seed Grants, we are seeking projects that advance insights, ideas, and discussion generated from the 17th Annual University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference theme, The Human Factor – Shaping the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education. While this call is inspired by discussions from the 2026 University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference, attendance at the conference is not required to submit a LITE proposal. We welcome proposals from all eligible members of the UW community whose proposed work aligns with the theme.
The conversations at the University of Waterloo Teaching and Learning Conference in April 2026 made clear that while Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping higher education, the future of teaching and learning remains fundamentally human.
During the Conference, presenters and attendees reflected on the future of higher education, the role of new technologies, like GenAI, and how these can be further developed and shaped in our practice.
As the next step in this institution-wide conversation, the Learning Innovation and Teaching Enhancement (LITE) Seed Grants program invites project proposals that build on the insights, challenges, and possibilities identified through the conference.
If you attended the conference: What sparked your curiosity at the conference? What did you learn? How have you implemented, or would like to implement these ideas into your own teaching? How are you developing them further? How has your research been shaped by the interactions you had and feedback you received at UWTL?
If you did not attend the conference: How does the theme resonate with questions, challenges, or opportunities you are already exploring in your teaching, learning, or research?
This LITE Seed Grant round provides you with the opportunity to formally study these experiences and opportunities, and share results throughout the University and beyond.
Questions to consider:
- How can courses and assessments be designed to continuously foster student engagement?
- How are you building mutual trust with your students regarding GenAI usage? How can this be adapted across different disciplines and levels of study?
- What platforms and technologies are being utilized in learning environments? How are students interacting with them? How can they be leveraged to further develop student understanding?
- What teaching practices help students develop critical thinking, judgment, and disciplinary expertise in an AI-mediated world? How do we further develop our students’ critical thinking and AI literacy skills?
- What approaches support ethical, equitable, accessible, diverse, and inclusive uses of AI in teaching and learning?
We invite proposals that
- Pilot and assess innovative teaching and assessment approaches;
- Investigate the impacts of AI on student learning experiences and outcomes;
- Develop, evaluate, or scale promising AI-enabled educational practices;
- Create resources, frameworks, or tools that support instructors and students;
- Explore ethical, pedagogical, disciplinary, or institutional implications of AI.
We are particularly interested in proposals that
- Include applicants and co-applicants from multiple departments, faculties, and/or support units;
- Have the potential to inform decision-making across departments, faculties, and programs;
- Elicit insights that are applicable and transferable to other departments, schools, and/or faculties.
Proposals outside of this scope will be considered, but priority will be given to proposals that directly address the topics outlined in this call.