The Goal
The AI Explorer Grants are designed to support hands-on experimentation with generative AI in real university contexts. Whether you want to streamline a repetitive task, analyze data in new ways, enhance teaching materials, or improve an administrative workflow, this program gives you the space and the tool to try it out.
In return, we ask participants to share what they learn. Your experience helps us better understand where AI adds value, where it falls short, and how it can best support our campus community.
Responsible use is central to this work. All projects should align with the university's AI Strategy and Guiding Principles and AI Guidelines and Use-Cases, ensuring thoughtful, ethical and transparent use of AI.
The Award
Selected proposals will receive:
A fully funded ChatGPT Edu license until October 2026, with access to enterprise-level data protection.
Direct support from our AI Support Team for troubleshooting and prompt engineering guidance.
Why Participate?
Explore generative AI tools with no cost and no long-term commitment
Experiment in a low-risk, well-supported environment with data protection
Contribute to shaping how AI is responsibly and effectively used across the university
Applying for an AI Explorer Grant
Who Can Apply?
AI Explorer Grants are available to University of Iowa faculty and staff.
Note: ChatGPT Edu is currently not HIPAA compliant and is not approved for use with patient data. Please contact the Joint Office for Compliance with any questions at 319-384-8282 or compliance@uiowa.edu.
AI Explorer Grants Timeline/Process
We know your time is limited, so the application is intentionally low-overhead.
Submit a Micro-Proposal: Fill out a simple form (approx. 5–10 minutes) describing your idea. Proposals can be submitted through this survey (link)
Quick Review: Our team will review submissions on a rolling basis (responses within 2 weeks).
Launch: Selected participants receive immediate access to ChatGPT Edu and a brief onboarding guide.
Knowledge sharing: At the end of the period, participants may be asked to share brief feedback or reflections on what they tried, what worked, and what they learned. These insights will help inform future AI initiatives on campus.
AI Lightning Talks: Grant recipients will be asked to share their project and experience with campus through a 5-7 minute lighting talk.
Selection Criteria
We aren't looking for perfection; we are looking for potential.
Strategic Alignment: Will this contribute to our ongoing efforts to grow research or improve student success?
Efficiency: Will this save you time or reduce friction in your work?
Innovation: Is this a creative use of the tool we haven't seen before?
Shareability: Is this something that would be of interest to others on campus?
Clarity: Is the goal specific and achievable in 6 months?
Security Compliance: Does the proposal involve sensitive data?
Eligibility & Use Guidelines
Not all activities are eligible for the AI Explorer Grants. Examples of activities that are not currently eligible may include:
UI Health Care staff and students not eligible at this time.
Activities involving some types of data (including protected health information) are not eligible.
Individual student use is not eligible at this time.
Any use that is not aligned with our current AI guidance is not eligible.
Anyone who applies should make sure the data and information is used appropriately in the system. Please see our Using AI with Data webpage for further guidance.
Apply for an AI Explorer Grant
Need Help?
If you have questions about how to get started or would like some advice on how AI can assist you with work tasks, please contact the AI Support Team.
We’re here to support your success with AI-powered tools at the University of Iowa!
For additional information on AI tools and AI guidelines here at the University of Iowa, check out the resources below: