Experiential Learning Design Accelerator Program


To apply, review eligibility and requirements below. Then, fill out the application linked above and upload a three-minute video describing the course you want to design. Applications are due May 10, 2026.

Interested in integrating community-engaged learning into an undergraduate course?

The Experiential Learning Design Accelerator (the Accelerator) supports Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder faculty members in the design of undergraduate courses that integrate community-engaged, experiential learning partnerships. Faculty participants and their community partners (one partner per faculty member) receive stipends to support their participation: faculty participants ($2,000) and community partners ($1,000).

The Accelerator will kick off in August with a five-day, virtual design sprint (Aug. 10–14, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and continue with a community of practice and workshops during the academic year. Faculty will leave with a plan for their community-engaged course.

The Accelerator is offered by the University of Arizona, in partnership with Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder's Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship (PACES) and the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). Participants will learn alongside faculty from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, the University of Arizona and peer institutions across the U.S.Ìý

What the Accelerator offers:

  1. A human-centered design approach for integrating external stakeholders and real projects in undergraduate courses.

  2. Support for developing courses where students work alongside community partners to develop desirable, feasible and viable solutions to real challenges.

The program begins with a virtual workshop led by the University of Arizona (Aug. 10–14, 2026, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.) and offers the opportunity to participate in a year-long community of learning. The summer design sprint provides ample time for individual and group work and reflection. Faculty will leave with a plan for their community-engaged course.

The University of Arizona and PACES will provide a community of practice, mentorship and opportunities for faculty, students and partners to share their work. Faculty will have opportunities to connect with others who have successfully developed community-engaged teaching and learning scholarship, including grant proposals, publications and presentations.

Stipends:

Faculty participants and their community partners (one partner per faculty member) will receive stipends to support their participation: faculty participants ($2,000) and community partners ($1,000).

Faculty requirements:

  • Summer 2026: Participate in a five-day, virtual design sprint in a community of learners with faculty from Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, University of Arizona and other institutions across the US. The Accelerator design sprint schedule will be:

    • Day 1: Map

    • Day 2: Sketch

    • Day 3: Decide

    • Day 4: Prototype

    • Day 5: Test

  • AY 2026–27* or 2027–28: Teach the course developed in the Accelerator.

  • AY 2026–27: Attend at least two workshops per semester (~1 hour each), one sponsored by University of Arizona and one sponsored by Â鶹Ãâ·Ñ°æÏÂÔØBoulder, with topics includingÌýassessment, Canvas integration, works-in-progress discussions and more.

  • AY 2026–27 or 2027–28: Write a reflective blog post for the PACES newsletter and website, developed with input from students and partners.

  • OPTIONAL: Share syllabus and course activities with campus peers.

*Note: Teaching the course in AY 2026–27 is preferred.

Undergraduate Courses:

  • Faculty who teach undergraduate courses—from large lectures to small seminars—are welcome to apply; adjunct and graduate instructors, however, are not eligible.

  • Faculty must commit to teaching their course during AY 2026–27 (preferred) or AY 2027–28.

Community Partners:

Please contact Lisa Schwartz with questions about the program, eligibility or your interest.

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Meet the 2025 Cohort