AI Fluency Innovation Microfunds

Program overview

Artificial intelligence is evolving quickly, creating a need and opportunity for us to look at how we create knowledge, teach, learn, express creativity, and consider how we advance our pursuit of areas that mean the most to us as humans. AI Fluency at Ohio State was developed with the mission for every student to be fluent in the application of AI to their field of study. 

Across Ohio State, faculty, staff, and students are already investigating AI technologies from many perspectives and putting it to use in thoughtful and innovative ways. The AI Fluency Innovation microfunds are intended to accelerate that breadth of exploration, help promising work develop, and create more opportunities for people across the university to learn from one another. 

The program provides seed funding to Ohio State faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate student employees to advance responsible, impactful, and critical engagement with AI. Funding is not limited to undergraduate education. 

The program is intended to help promising work connect people across disciplines, surface new perspectives, and share knowledge across the university.

Download the full Call for Proposals

Eligibility

The following individuals and groups are eligible to submit proposals or serve as co-applicants: 

• Ohio State faculty, including lecturers and faculty of any rank or appointment 
• Ohio State staff 
• Graduate and undergraduate students employed by Ohio State 

Proposal requirements

Applicants must include the following:

1. A completed AI Fluency Innovation Microfunds Application cover sheet
2. A project narrative that responds to the prompts included in the cover sheet.
3. A completed Budget and Justification template.
4. Additional Tier 4 materials, as applicable.

Additional requirements for Tier 4 Proposals

• Project timeline with key milestones 
• Description of how the project could scale, transfer, or apply in other contexts 
• Brief bio sketches for key project personnel 
• References, if applicable

How to apply

Email the completed application cover sheet and project narrative, completed budget template, and any applicable Tier 4 attachments to OSUAIFluency@osu.edu by 11:59 PM EST on the relevant quarterly deadline (October 30, January 29, April 30, and July 30).

Suggested email subject: AI Fluency Microfunds Application | [Lead Applicant] | [Project Title]

Download cover sheet and narrative prompts

Download budget template

Timeline and Approval Process

• Step 1: Submit by a quarterly deadline. October 30, January 29, April 30, or July 30 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. 
• Step 2: Application review. A subcommittee of the AI Fluency Council and the OAA AI Fluency group will review eligible submissions. Applicants may receive questions
• Step 3: Notification. Applicants will receive written notification of decision within four weeks of the deadline.

Funding Tiers

Four tiers of funding are available. Proposals are accepted quarterly on October 30, January 29, April 30, and July 30.

OAA anticipates supporting approximately 8-12 projects during each quarterly review cycle depending on proposal quality, funding requests, and available funds. The number and size of awards may vary across funding tiers.