MITx and Open Learning seek proposals to rapidly develop online modules for global learners on edX, short courses from MIT that will contribute to knowledge and society during these extraordinary, trying times.

MITx will offer a small number of grants up to $20,000, and staff support from the MITx team, to produce content over the summer for launch on the edX platform during the fall of 2020. Proposals in which the content to be developed will also be used in an MIT class are encouraged.

Faculty are encouraged to submit proposals anywhere across the broad sweep of subject areas related to current national and global crises where they can envision a brief, timely, online module from MIT, open to learners around the world, making a positive contribution.

Faculty considering developing a “standard” proposal for an MITx grant should respond to our next call for proposals, in the fall. And, all faculty and instructors who wish to use the Residential MITx platform to develop components for their MIT classes are welcomed to do so, as always. 

We are issuing this unusual call because we understand that there may be Faculty who wish to work rapidly, this summer, to develop a short, timely, online MITx module for learners around the world.

Proposals will be accepted until 5pm on Monday, June 22 (see full timeline below). Those interested in a potential proposal should contact MITx to arrange a brief consultation with us as soon as possible. Email mitx-grant@mit.edu to schedule a time, or with any questions. 

Requirements for modules proposed:

  • Course should be 2-3 weeks in length
  • Course teams and instructors must be able to begin course production immediately and offer the course on edX during the fall
  • We are not specifying what timely topics may motivate you to rapidly develop a short online course from MIT for learners around the world. We imagine examples related to racial injustice or to the COVID-19 pandemic, with perspectives on or responses to either. Examples could come from the (life) sciences and (medical) technology and engineering; from history; from the humanities; from foundational education around viruses or public health; from remote/online education; from consideration of the political, economic and societal impacts of today’s crises; or...
  • Course teams must be capable of/willing to film videos remotely or from home, with the support of the MITx Media team, as studio/live space may be unavailable
  • Courses must be designed to leverage existing features of the edX platform

Timeline:

  • Release call and proposal form online form June 9;
  • Proposals received by June 22 will receive full consideration.
  • We anticipate releasing decisions by July 1, with immediate start.

Click here to access our online proposal form.

Note: Proposals in progress cannot be saved, so please review the form ahead of time. To receive a copy of your form, use the check box at the bottom to email a copy to yourself.