UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence announced the recipients of the 2026-27 Curriculum and Instruction Renewal Program (CIRP) grants, designed for program-level renewal projects that align with the institute’s mission.

CIRP is a faculty-driven program that aims to empower academic units to facilitate program-level curricular growth, adaptation and innovation that enrich undergraduate instruction. The program compensates for labor associated with curriculum and instructional redesign and prepares instructors to teach the revised curriculum.

The following projects received funding and support through a CIRP grant:

Birkenholtz said the project will focus on a mapping of the current curriculum, resequencing of one or more courses, working with faculty to re-align course outcomes and identify and make preliminary content recommendations for current introductory and survey courses in Asian Studies by including relevant material on South Asia.

“This multi-pronged work is critical to build South Asian Studies intentionally and systematically into a thriving area of study and engagement for undergraduate students as we grow the minor, anticipate adding a major, and highlight South Asia as a robust and important global area of interest for students in a range of disciplines.”

This project will examine how placement practices, prerequisite coursework and course expectations align to support calculus readiness. DeVos said the goal is to improve progression toward degree attainment for STEM students who begin at or below the calculus level. The project has two components: first, collaborating with mathematics faculty to analyze the role of precalculus courses in preparing students, and second, working with the New Student Orientation advising team to evaluate current placement practices and advising structures to increase the likelihood of success in mathematics courses.

This project will use the electro-mechanical engineering technology (EMET) transition to Penn State Beaver as an opportunity to modernize the existing EMET curriculum into a mechatronics-focused curriculum pathway. Milasi said that the primary needs are to “align the current curriculum with industrial advances and emerging technologies in AI, automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, embedded systems and integrated electromechanical systems while supporting student progression through a clear 2+2 pathway.”

Pierce said that Penn State's undergraduate voice program seeks to enhance its curriculum through a strategic redesign that capitalizes on emerging opportunities in vocal pedagogy and performance education.

“This faculty-driven curriculum renewal will harness evidence-based instructional design to create more intentional foundational experiences that maximize each student's potential. By integrating collaborative learning opportunities and peer mentorship components, we will cultivate stronger cohort connections while implementing inclusive practices that celebrate diverse learning styles and backgrounds.”

Salguero said the project will address two CIRP goals for the relatively new BA/BS Health Humanities program at Penn State Abington and create an intentional curricular architecture. First, will be the creation of learning learning pathways in the major so students with different goals can navigate the program successfully. Second, the project will confront the signifcant challenges to teaching and learning in a rapidly evolving field.

“Healthcare is being transformed by artificial intelligence, shifting workforce demographics and changing industry standards,” Salguero said. “A curriculum review grounded in input from alumni, industry representatives and other stakeholders in the greater Philadelphia region will ensure the program reflects these realities and remains competitive as health humanities grows nationally.”

A limited number of CIRP grants are offered on an annual basis. Interested faculty are encouraged to visit the CIRP Grants website for details about the grant process. Email site@psu.edu to learn more about how the CIRP program might be able to support curriculum and instruction renewal efforts.

The Schreyer Institute offers a portfolio of grant programs for Penn State instructors and academic units as well. Each grant includes funding and support from Institute faculty consultants. Learn more at schreyerinstitute.psu.edu.