Carleton University Experiential Learning Equipment Fund (CUEL-EF)

Funded through the province’s Training Equipment and Renewal Fund, the Carleton University Experiential Learning Equipment Fund (CUEL-EF) will distribute $125,000 to support strategic investments in teaching‑focused equipment and technology (including tools, platforms and infrastructure). The fund will enable instructors to renew, upgrade or introduce discipline‑specific, industry‑standard equipment and technology in credit courses to strengthen students’ technical, digital and AI-related competencies and improve students’ workplace readiness.

All projects should:

• Provide students with hands-on access to industry‑standard equipment and technology
• Build students’ technical skills, digital literacy and/or AI‑related competencies
• Improve students’ preparedness for employment in their discipline
• Represent sustainable investments with impact beyond a single iteration

Project Types

The CUEL-EF will provide a total of $125,000 support to projects involving one or more credit courses. There are no budget restrictions per project but note that Carleton’s procurement policies and procedures apply.

Projects may be a new initiative, partial renewal or full‑scale implementation. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to:

• Introduction of new equipment or technology
• Upgrades to existing equipment or technology that enable new pedagogical approaches or activities
• Renewal or replacement of outdated teaching equipment or technology

For auditing purposes, all purchased equipment/technology must remain the property of your academic unit.

Eligibility

All faculty members are eligible to apply. You will be responsible for ensuring the secure storage and maintenance of the equipment/technology.

Learning support staff and contract instructors are eligible to apply. A letter of support from your department head is required if your application is shortlisted, as your department head will be responsible for ensuring the secure storage and maintenance of the equipment/technology.

Eligible Expenses

Funds must be spent by Oct. 31, 2026, and will be administered by the Vice-Provost’s office. Details will be shared with successful applicants.

Eligible expenses include but are not limited to:

• Equipment, including digital and analogue tools and machinery
• Accessories required for the effective use of purchased equipment
• Installation costs directly required for equipment use
• Specialized training to use the equipment

Examples of eligible equipment include but are not limited to: lab equipment, rapid prototyping machines like 3D printers, XR headsets and commercial XR experiences, field programmable gate array (FPGA) boards, anatomy models, AI-enabled lab demonstration models, storage and maintenance supplies for purchased equipment.

Ineligible expenses include but are not limited to: wages or associated employment costs for continuing Carleton employees, research assistant salaries, travel or event costs, honoraria for guest speakers or community/industry partners, standard office or classroom furniture not required for specialized teaching purposes.

Application Process

April 1, 2026: Applications open.

May 22, 2026: Applications close.

Early- to mid-June: Applicants will be notified whether their application has been successful.

Oct. 31, 2026: Funds must be spent in full.

Applicants will need to submit an online application form along with any additional documents (e.g. quotes, equipment specs), if applicable. Please review the requirements for letters of support (see “Eligibility”).

Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• The project supports students’ technical, digital and/or AI-related learning in one or more Carleton credit courses
• The project supports students’ discipline-specific employability skills development
• The budget is commensurate with the anticipated scope of impact on student learning
• The project will have significant impacts on student learning beyond a single iteration
• The project is feasible given the applicant’s readiness and capacity to purchase and use the equipment/technology

Reporting

All CUEL-EF recipients are expected to share back the results of their project with the Carleton teaching and learning community. For example:

• A story for the TLS newsletter
• A blog post for the TLS blog
• Participation in a future teaching and learning conference or symposium (e.g. InspirED: Carleton’s Teaching Innovation Symposium)
• Participation in a workshop, panel discussion or other type of TLS event
• A new/revised resource about experiential education (e.g. for the Experiential Education website)

In your application, you will be asked to identify possible ways you can envision sharing back. We will reach out to successful applicants to discuss the details of their share-back.