Research and innovation grants

AI in Teaching and Learning at Stanford: Thought Leadership

Advancing Stanford’s thought leadership in AI and learning, this grant commissions scholarly work in two sub-tracks: AI and critical thinking, and AI and creativity. Projects can create intellectual products of any form ranging from writing to art to software.

Photo: Andrew Brodhead

Overview

The Thought Leadership program, part of the AI in Teaching and Learning at Stanford seed grant program, solicits proposals for the creation of intellectual works that consider the relation between Generative AI and highly regarded human capacities — critical thinking and creativity. There are strong and diverse opinions on the impact of AI on the learning and use of critical thinking and creativity. It is valuable to bring different ideas and formats into productive dialog.

The Thought Leadership competition welcomes proposals for a broad range of intellectual works including thought pieces, policy briefs, art, demonstrations, videos, software, empirical data, and more.

A grant may be thought of as a commission to complete the proposed work.  Awardees will be expected to join a forum in fall 2026 to share their work, and ideally, lead to synthesis publications or products that exemplify Stanford’s thought leadership on AI, teaching, and human potential.  Applicants may apply to the critical thinking sub-track or the creativity sub-track or both.

 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be reviewed based on the following:

  • Intellectual merit and clarity of the core idea
  • Creativity and originality of approach
  • Relevance to the selected track (critical thinking or creativity)
  • Potential to contribute to conversations on AI, learning, and human potential
  • Feasibility of producing the proposed work within the timeline

MORE INFORMATION

Optional information sessions will overview the grant program and answer applicant questions.  Info sessions will be held via Zoom on the following dates:

  • Friday, April 24, 12:00pm – 1:00pm PT
  • Thursday, May 7, 2:00pm – 3:00pm PT

RSVP here (requires Stanford login) to receive the Zoom link and attend an info session.

Application
Apply by May 15, 2026

APPLICATION TRACKS

  • AI and Critical Thinking
  • AI and Creativity

ELIGIBILITY & AWARD AMOUNTS

Awards are open to Stanford faculty, instructors, staff, and students. Awards will be up to $3,000, generally funded directly to recipients.

TIMELINE

Key dates:

  • Proposals Due: May 15, 2026, 11:59 pm PT
  • Awards Announced: Early July 2026 
  • Deliverable Due: October 31, 2026

Apply by May 15, 2026


APPLICATION TRACKS

  • AI and Critical Thinking
  • AI and Creativity

ELIGIBILITY & AWARD AMOUNTS

Awards are open to Stanford faculty, instructors, staff, and students. Awards will be up to $3,000, generally funded directly to recipients.

TIMELINE

Key dates:

  • Proposals Due: May 15, 2026, 11:59 pm PT
  • Awards Announced: Early July 2026 
  • Deliverable Due: October 31, 2026

REQUIREMENTS

  • Delivery of proposed scholarly work by October 31, 2026
  • Agreement for scholarly work to be shared publicly.
  • Participation in an AI and Learning forum in fall 2026, date TBD
  • (Optional) contribution to a synthesis publication (format TBD) exemplifying Stanford’s thought leadership on AI, teaching, and human potential

PROPOSAL FORMAL

Please upload a single PDF addressing the following:

  1. Applicant Information
    Name, department, and title/role of all contributors, including yourself. If there are additional contributors, include a brief description of each person’s expected contribution.
  2. Track Selection
    Indicate the track to which you are applying:
    → AI & Critical Thinking
    → AI & Creativity
  3. Problem or Opportunity Statement (Max 250 Words)
    Within the selected track, describe the specific problem or opportunity your project will address.
  4. Description of Proposed Scholarly Work (Max 500 Words)
    Describe the proposed work and how it addresses the identified problem or opportunity. Include the intended format, goals, and contribution to conversations on AI, learning, and human potential.