AI Up-skilling Fund

The CFA AI Up-skilling Fund is a resource to support CFA faculty and staff as they increase their personal and professional knowledge of and skills with AI. Faculty and staff with all levels of experience are encouraged to apply, including those with limited to no prior knowledge of AI.

The fund will allocate up to $5,000 to selected faculty or staff to be used in learning and professional development opportunities in 2026.

Selection Criteria

• Successful applicants must be full-time faculty or staff with primary appointments in the College of Fine Arts, and who are not on leave in 2026.
• The funds must be used to directly support a learning, skill development or professional development opportunity for you.
• Priority will be given to proposals that will also help advance the mission of the College in education, research or creative practice. This might include (but not limited to): covering your time to take a course (at CMU or elsewhere), time and travel to support attendance at a relevant residency, or time and travel to a workshop. Review example opportunities for more information.
• The fund can be used to support summer support/activity pay for your time, travel, and other learning resources relevant to your proposed professional development. If you choose direct support through summer salary or activity pay, this will be subject to benefits and tax withholding.
• All funds must be spent by January 15th, 2027, with complete receipts and documentation submitted to your business manager within 30 days of the transaction dates.

The AI Up-skilling Fund isn’t a research fund or discretionary project fund. These funds are not intended for creative production or research (e.g. allocations for students, research assistants, project materials, etc. won't be supported).

Timeline

• Feb 1, 2026 | submissions open
• Feb 9, 2026 | 12pm hybrid information session at the STUDIO for Creative Inquiry + Zoom
• Feb 27, 2026 | 5pm submissions due
• Mar 27, 2026 | awards announced
• May 1, 2026 | funds available
• Dec 31, 2026 | funds must be spent

Application

Your finished application will include:

• A brief explanation of your current knowledge with AI (100 words, maximum).
• A short proposal, including your up-skilling plan and how you expect to better engage with AI (250 words, maximum).
• An itemized breakdown of how you plan to use the funds (e.g. summer support / activity pay, travel support or purchase of learning resources or materials).

Apply via Google Form by February 27, 2026 at 5pm. If you have any questions about the fund, please contact Daragh Byrne: daragh@cmu.edu.

AI Up-skilling Jury Members

• Jenn Joy Wilson
• Golan Levin
• Vernelle Noel
• Nica Ross
• Daragh Byrne

For questions, contact Daragh Byrne: daragh@cmu.edu