Network or individual initiative: New funding opportunities for innovative university teaching
In 2027, the eTeach network Thuringia will once again be funding innovative teaching and learning projects with two different Funding formats. The aim is to promote innovative teaching, learning and examination concepts that further develop digital university teaching and establish sustainable good practice. This year's focus is on the following topics „Future Skills“ - Competencies that enable students to act in a reflective, self-organized and responsible manner in an increasingly digital and dynamic world. These include, in particular, digitalization and AI-related skills, but also key competencies such as problem solving, collaboration and independent learning.
Two funding formats - two approaches
With the cooperative impulse projects and the eTeach free spaces two clearly differentiated funding lines are available, which address different target groups and project sizes:
The cooperative impulse projects focus on cooperation and structural innovation. Funding is provided for interdisciplinary and cross-university projects that are implemented jointly by at least two Thuringian universities. The aim is to develop new, transferable teaching and learning formats and to sustainably strengthen cooperation in digital teaching. The projects can run for six months or a full year and comprise three funding lines:
- Development of competence-oriented, digitally supported teaching, learning and examination concepts with a focus on future skills
- Digital and media-based further development of existing teaching formats (e.g. OER or hybrid scenarios)
- Experimental approaches to promoting future skills
One position and additional material resources can be applied for per participating university. Details on how to apply and the funding conditions can be found on the Tender page for impulse projects: Cooperative impulse projects - eTeach network Thuringia
In contrast, the eTeach free spaces a low-threshold format for individual teaching development. They are aimed at lecturers who want to develop their own courses in a targeted manner, for example by using digital tools, creating learning materials or videos, designing hybrid learning environments or incorporating student perspectives to a greater extent.
The funding amounts to up to 3,000 euros per project and can be used, for example, for fees, technical equipment or student assistants. One application per person per semester is possible. Further information can be found on the Tender page eTeach free spaces available: eTeach-Freiräume - eTeach Network Thuringia
Deadlines and support
Interested teachers initially reach up to July 1 an expression of interest with a rough concept to their local eTeach contact point. The final applications must be submitted by September 1 about the Converia tool on the eTeach website. Feedback is scheduled for mid-October.
The eTeach contact points at the universities provide support in the application process and in the search for project partners.
The results of good practice examples can be found as inspiration on the Thuringia Good Practice Platform: Homepage - Good Practice Platform
