Application for project funds for educational development and innovation

• Project funds are provided for first and second cycle courses and study programmes, not for postgraduate education.
• The project must be co-financed by the relevant department(s) with the overhead cost (including premises costs) that arises.
• The principal applicant must have a teaching position at Uppsala University.
• The application must be approved by the head of department through an electronic signature.
• Project funds cannot be applied for projects that are purely for staff training.
• If PUMA funds have been received previously, a new application cannot be processed until the previous project has been formally reported.

Project applications are assessed based on the goals and intentions of Uppsala University’s educational programme and the criteria listed below. The project...

• is based on a clearly formulated educational idea that is expected to have positive impact on students' learning.
• contains new ideas, tools, or working methods that are expected to contribute to development in the given context.
• includes a realistic plan for the project's planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of experiences.
• relates to educational research and proven experience.
• involves colleagues to anchor the project and contribute to the project's long-term sustainability.
• involves students to enable them to actively contribute to the project's planning, implementation, and/or evaluation.

Submitted applications are processed by an assessment group consisting of teacher representatives (appointed by the area boards), student representatives (appointed by the student unions), and educational developers (appointed by the Unit for Academic Teaching and Learning). The assessment group's work is led by a chairperson (appointed by the Unit for Academic Teaching and Learning). The assessment process aims to ensure a high level of quality in the projects. It is therefore not given that the entire announced amount will be proposed for distribution. The assessment group submits proposals to the Vice-Chancellor, who makes the decision on the allocation of funds.

Please note that the complete application must include:

• A Project description in pdf form signed digitally by the head of department. The Project description should be uploaded in KURT.

Please note that text beyond the headings specified in the form will not be considered in the assessment. Incomplete or late applications will not be processed.

• Application deadline: 26 March 2025 at 23:59.
• Decision on the allocation of funds will be made in June 2025.
• Allocated funds are intended for the calendar year 2026 but will be available already before the autumn term of 2025, i.e., the project can start then.
• Disbursement of funds: half of the approved funds can be requested after the Vice-Chancellor's decision on allocation, the remaining funds will be paid after the approved reporting of the project.
• Deadline for the final written report, including financial reporting: 31 August 2027.

The Unit for Academic Teaching and Learning arranges a PUMA seminar each term for the collegial exchange of ideas and experiences before and during the implementation of the projects. It is strongly recommended to participate in these seminars. There is also the possibility to consult the unit's educational developers during the project's course.

The knowledge and experiences generated by the projects should be disseminated within the university. It is desirable that students who have been involved in the project are given the opportunity to participate in this. An important arena for dissemination is Uppsala University's Learning and Teaching Conference, which is held every two years, as well as other relevant conferences and/or publications in suitable journals. The recording studio in Blåsenhus also offers the possibility of recorded presentations, for example in the form of a film or an audio recording/podcast.

The project must be reported in a final report consisting of a description of the project idea, its implementation, results, and conclusions (approx. five pages) as well as financial reporting (in the form of a RÅDRED).

Unused funds revert to the university-wide strategic funds.