Apple Manufacturing Academy >

Teaching Innovation Grant

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Questions? Contact manufacturingacademy@msu.edu  

Teaching Innovation Grant

The Apple Manufacturing Academy, in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation (CTLI), invites the MSU campus community to submit proposals for the Teaching Innovation Grant. This opportunity supports curriculum innovation focused on industry collaboration and professional learning. It also connects MSU faculty with Apple engineers to closely collaborate in advanced manufacturing ecosystems and economic growth. 

Grant Focus

Proposed workshops should maximize participant engagement through applied, industry-relevant learning experiences. MSU faculty are encouraged to design and deliver hands-on, problem-solving learning experiences that reflect real-world challenges in advanced manufacturing. Proposals should emphasize innovation, collaboration, and practical application to ensure participants gain both conceptual understanding and skills directly transferable to modern manufacturing contexts. Applicants may propose new topics or adapt from the following:

  • Manufacturing Fundamentals
  • Quality Fundamentals
  • Quality Control Optimization
  • Machine Learning with Vision
  • Automation
  • Preventative Maintenance
  • IoT & Predictive Maintenance
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Green Manufacturing
  • SMT
  • Operational Information (Cyber) Security
  • Communications
  • Other innovative topics in advanced manufacturing

 

Grant Award Details

Selected MSU faculty will receive a $6,000 grant award, transferred to an expendable restricted account within their academic unit. The award supports a six-month long engagement with the Apple Manufacturing Academy through an in-person workshop delivered at three times at the Apple Manufacturing Academy's location in Detroit; followed by one-on-one consultations with Apple Manufacturing Academy participants after the workshop. The total award covers MSU faculty effort for in-person and online workshop development, consultation hours, and approved operational expenses (e.g., mileage, lodging, instructional materials).

Each MSU faculty will be paired with a Learning Experience Designer from CTLI, who will serve as a consultant and guide to support the effective transfer of their workshop in D2L. The CTLI designer will also be responsible for quality assurance and will provide the final sign-off on the D2L workshop. 

Expectations and Requirements 

  • Selected applicants will develop one (1) in-person workshop to be taught at three monthly Apple Manufacturing Academy trainings in Detroit.  
  • Sessions will be scheduled over a three-month period based on applicant availability and must be completed within six months of the grant award date.
  • The in-person workshops should be designed for delivery within a 1–2 hour timeframe.
  • Participate in preparation calls with Apple Manufacturing Academy staff to align content with Apple Manufacturing Academy goals and participant needs.
  • Participate in the pre-award MSU faculty orientation session hosted by Apple Manufacturing Academy staff.
  • Conduct workshop delivery on Apple devices. Familiarity with Keynote is recommended.
  • Deliver three 1:1 consultation with Apple Manufacturing Academy participants
  • Develop a digital version of the workshop for the Apple Manufacturing D2L platform, ensuring long-term use and impact. The workshop will be self-paced and will be added to the current Apple Manufacturing Academy catalog with the other Apple-created courses.
  • Collaborate with MSU–Apple teams to share teaching resources across departments.
  • Comply with Intellectual Property (IP) terms specified in the award agreement.  

Open to all MSU faculty (tenure-track, fixed-term, and academic specialists), postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students with an interest in curriculum innovation and applied learning in content related to advanced manufacturing. 

Applicants must submit a proposal of no more than three pages, including:  

  • Proposal (up to 500 words) – Describe the workshop or content you propose to teach at Apple Manufacturing Academy. 
  • Delivery Plan – Outline anticipated teaching methods, pedagogy, and instructional approach. 
  • Learning Outcomes – Identify the key skills and knowledge participants will gain. 

Proposals will be evaluated on the following:  

  • Innovation – Creative or forward-looking approaches to advanced manufacturing education. 
  • Feasibility – Realistic workshops and deliverables given timeframe and resources. 
  • Outcomes & Assessment – Clear, measurable, and achievable learning goals. 
  • Industry Relevance – Alignment with Apple Manufacturing Academy's mission and Apple’s priorities. 
  • Scalability & Transferability – Potential for replication or adaptation across MSU or beyond. 
  • Partnerships – Collaboration within MSU or with external stakeholders. 

Pre-award disbursement: 50% of the award will be disbursed after awardees participate in the MSU faculty orientation session hosted by Apple Manufacturing Academy staff.  

Post-award disbursement: The remaining funds will be disbursed upon completion of a digital version of the workshop for the Apple Manufacturing D2L platform, designed to ensure long-term use and impact. The workshop quality will be evaluated using the Quality Matters criteria and approved by an instructional designer from CTLI.  

Ineligible expenses include:  

  • Travel outside Detroit
  • Conference fees or per diem
  • Stipends for collaborators external to MSU
  • Office supplies or general departmental expenses
  • Long-term equipment/software purchases without a sustainability plan

All budgeted items must fall within the $6,000 award limit and align with the Apple Manufacturing Academy's teaching and learning goals. 

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  

Interview: Applicants selected to move forward will be contacted by the AMA team to further discuss their proposal as a final step to the proposal review process. 

Implementation Period: 6 months post grant acceptance 

Deliver one (1) in-person workshop, facilitated across three different monthly academy trainings in Detroit. 

Develop online version for Apple Manufacturing Academy in D2L  

Submit proposals via this Qualtrics form.

Questions? Contact manufacturingacademy@msu.edu