Money Available for Tech Purchases that Enable Student Success

Could your college or major benefit from a new software or hardware purchase? Is there a tech resource you wish UF’s libraries offered? The 2024 Student Technology Fee grant submissions cycle is now open to all students, faculty, and staff with IT-based purchase ideas that support teaching and learning at UF.

The annual proposal review process involves the randomized selection of a committee comprised of several students along with one faculty member to determine which proposals are recommended to CIO Elias Eldayrie for funding. Students are encouraged to submit their ideas because part of their tuition each semester funds the Tech Fee program–at a rate of $5.25 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $6.56 per credit hour for graduate courses. In other words, this student-led initiative is paid for and determined by YOU.

Winning proposals from the 2022-23 Tech Fee funding cycle include a podcasting studio at Marston Science Library (available to all students regardless of major), the Arts & AI Virtual Workstation Studio for College of the Arts students to experiment with AI technologies, and state-of-the-art equipment purchased for the Quest 2 astrophotography course. Your one-time proposal could change course instruction and the student experience at UF for years to come!

Did you know that LinkedIn Learning and iPads for borrowing at Smathers were both proposals initially funded by your Tech Fee? The deadline for submitting a proposal is Monday, March 18, 2024. Students must partner with a UF department or college on their proposals so get started now! Review the 2024 Tech Fee Proposal Template for submission guidelines, including how to format your proposal and who you must send it to for review prior to deadline. Important dates for the 2024 funding cycle are listed on the Tech Fee Grants webpage. If you have questions, please email UFIT Manager Anne Allen (alallen@ufl.edu), support administrator for the Technology Fee Advisory Committee.


 

Announced: 2022-23 Tech Fee Grants

Under the guidance of the Student Technology Fee Advisory Committee members and faculty director Dr. Jeremy Waisome, eight proposals were recommended. VP & CIO Elias Eldayrie approved eight proposals for 2022-23 Tech Fee funding:

Enhancing Access through Assistive Technology
Enhancing Student Learning through a Campus-Wide Podcasting Studio
uConnect: A One Stop Shop for the Future of Work
FeedbackFruits Group Member Evaluation Tool: Facilitating Collaborative Learning at UF
Enabling Interdisciplinary Advanced Sonic Instruction and Research
Arts & AI Virtual Workstation Studio
AI Education for Graduate Students at UF School of Architecture
Enabling Stunning Student Astrophotography through Innovative Use of Technology

The Student Technology Fee Grants program funds projects proposed by faculty, students, and staff focused on enhancing campus educational technology services. The creation of the MADE@UF virtual reality lab, modernization of the Pugh Hall Ocora, and the expansion of campus 3D printing options are just a few of the previously funded projects. Please contact Technology Fee Advisory Committee Support Administrator Anne Allen with questions about the proposal and selection process.

Funding Available to Enhance UF Academic Life

Did you know that several 3D printing and campus VR/AR tools are the result of successful Tech Fee proposals? UFApps and free access to LinkedIn Learning also began their UF life as Tech Fee proposals. If you have a great technology-related idea for enhancing UF’s academic environment, then consider submitting a concept paper for a Tech Fee grant. All students, faculty, and staff are eligible–and encouraged–to submit ideas fitting the submission guidelines.

Concept papers for the 2022 funding cycle must be submitted by January 28, 2022.

A concept paper is a simple, two-page proposal that you complete via the template available on the Tech Fee website. After the Technology Fee Advisory Committee reviews the approved concept papers, finalists will be invited to submit a full proposal for possible funding. Program information, guidelines, templates, and previously funded projects may all be found on the Tech Fee website.

Please contact Anne Allen, support administrator for the Technology Fee Advisory Committee, with any questions about the submission process. Good luck!