Apply by September 28: APLU-led Calculus 1 Grant Seeking Institutions

APLU is seeking member institutions interested in participating in a grant-funded opportunity to strengthen calculus instruction and improve student outcomes through faculty-led course coordination. Selected institutions will bring together Calculus 1 teaching faculty to align course pacing, content, assessments, and student expectations across sections. Learn more about APLU’s request for proposals for the project and apply by September 28.

Institutions selected to participate in the effort, called the Collaborative Alignment for Learning in Calculus+ (CALC+), will implement coordinated practices in introductory Calculus and use Learnvia courseware across three terms: Spring 2027, Fall 2027, and Spring 2028. Participating institutions will work closely with APLU’s Office of Digital Transformation for Student Success to receive technical assistance, participate in project lead meetings, and learn from universities in a cohort-based community of practice, data-informed improvement activities, and sustainability planning. Institutions will receive up to $80,000 depending on the number of faculty participating and cohesion of course coordination over the grant period. 

Faculty from selected institutions will agree to meet regularly to share teaching practices and identify ways to continuously improve the course. Learnvia, research-based courseware developed with faculty and for faculty, uses decades of learning science research from Carnegie Mellon University, will serve as the shared courseware foundation across participating sections.  

Faculty-led course coordination allows teaching faculty to make shared decisions about course content, pacing, assessments, and expectations, while preserving instructors’ ability to adapt pedagogy and supports to the needs of their individual sections. Years of research show benefits to faculty, students and institutions and this work continues a decade of work at APLU where many projects have incorporated faculty-led improvements while leveraging courseware to support more practice aligned with immediate feedback for students.  

This initiative, which the Gates Foundation is funding, builds upon numerous math reform initiatives APLU has helped lead over the past decade, including several ongoing Calculus-related projects.  

Learn more about the project, the requirements for institutions to participate, and apply now! 

Please direct any questions regarding the application process to Riccardo Purita, Assistant Director, Digital Transformation for Student Success.