Process

In the 2024/25 TLEF funding round, we are calling for proposals for two kinds of projects as part of the general funding call, as well as a Special Call for a 2nd cohort for the Universal Design for Learning Fellows Program.

Large TLEF Transformation Projects - CLOSED

TLEF Transformation projects are large, multi-year projects that are intended to advance UBC’s strategic goals relating to transformative learning. These projects aspire to impact multiple courses or programs, have the potential to involve collaboration across departments or Faculties, and align with one or more strategies or priorities in UBC’s Strategic Plan.

  • 3pm on July 13, 2023 - Deadline for Letters of Intent for Large TLEF Transformation projects.
  • 3pm on October 12, 2023 - Application deadline new and returning Large TLEF Transformation projects. Only applicants who have been invited to submit proposals and returning applicants who have already been funded by the TLEF are eligible to submit an application.

The TLEF application system will open for applicants two weeks before the application deadlines:

  • Large TLEF Letters of Intent (June 29, 2023)
  • New and Returning Large TLEF proposals (September 28, 2023)

Small TLEF Innovation Projects - CLOSED

Small TLEF Innovation projects are grassroots projects that are intended to support experimentation with pedagogical approaches that have strong potential to enhance learning. These projects should also align with UBC’s strategic priorities relating to transformative learning, but they are typically smaller in scope and scale, and may involve more experimentation and exploration of new and emerging approaches to support learning.

  • September 2023 - Call for Small TLEF Innovation project proposals opens
  • 3pm on November 16, 2023 - Application deadline for new and returning Small TLEF Innovation project proposals

The TLEF application system will open for applicants two weeks before the application deadline on November 1, 2023.

Applicants must use the TLEF application system to submit applications for funding. Late proposals or emailed proposals will not be accepted.

Special Call - 2024 cohort for the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Fellows Program

As part of the 2024 Small TLEF funding round, the Office of the Provost and Vice-President Academic has earmarked funding to support a second cohort for the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Fellows Program that was launched in the spring of 2023 with its first cohort. The UDL Fellows Program will run across four months, with the second intake occurring in May 2024. Project teams who participate in the Program will implement UDL in courses during the 2024/25 academic year. Nominations for the Program will be made by the Associate Deans Academic in each Faculty in January 2024.

Faculty-specific Information

Please check with your respective Faculty to see if there are any internal Faculty processes or deadlines that you must meet before submitting an application.

All applications are reviewed first by internal Faculty TLEF committees and then by the TLEF Adjudication Committee (comprised of a broad representation from UBC Faculties and student representation from the Alma Mater Society and the Graduate Student Society). The internal Faculty TLEF committees provide their approval for Large TLEF Transformation project proposals and advise on Small TLEF Innovation project proposals.

After the Faculty review, the TLEF Adjudication Committee reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations to the Provost. Large TLEF Transformation proposals that do not receive internal Faculty approval will not generally be recommended for funding by the TLEF Adjudication Committee. Applicants to the TLEF receive notification on the results of the adjudication process in December (Large TLEF Transformation projects) and in February (Small TLEF Innovation projects).

Budget considerations

TLEF project budgets must be reasonable and in line with the objectives of the project. TLEF project budgets must include a clear justification for all costs associated with the project.

  • UBC faculty and staff TLEF applicants and co-applicants cannot be hired for a position that receives salary from the TLEF project budget. UBC students who are co-applicants on a TLEF proposal may be hired for a position that receives salary from the TLEF budget.
  • TLEF funds cannot be used to purchase external consulting or other types of services where expertise and support is available within UBC at a reasonable cost and in a timely manner.
  • The TLEF is not an equipment fund. Applicants will not generally receive funding to buy equipment. If there is a request for equipment it must be justified in relation to the project goals, not exceed 30% of the overall project budget, and also include significant in-kind funding from the Faculty.
  • TLEF funds cannot be used to cover conference or travel expenses for faculty or staff.
  • Any catering requests should be proportionate and reasonable and clearly show how such support will maximize the benefit of the overall project goals. The TLEF Adjudication Committee will cut or reduce catering costs if they deem them excessive.

You can consult with the CTLT to develop the budget for your project either at TLEF drop-in sessions or by contacting tlef.info@ubc.ca to arrange a time to meet with a consultant from the CTLT.

In developing a proposal for the TLEF, an accurate budget projection is important. For your assistance, please see below a table of cost estimates for various services that can be included in TLEF proposals. These estimates represent maximum amounts for various services that will be supported through TLEF funding, but you should budget on the basis of the actual cost of the people you are planning to employ in the project.

Subject to available capacity, in-kind support from the CTLT is available for TLEF projects for Curriculum Development, Learning Design, Evaluation (10 hours in-kind), and Learning Technology Support. Applicants must consult with the CTLT before including in-kind support from The CTLT in their proposal or budget.  The CTLT cannot guarantee this support to teams who do not consult about the scope and timing of their project support needs in advance of submitting a proposal.

Item Estimated Rate or Cost
Faculty Course Release  $10,000 per course. The cost of faculty course releases is split 50/50 between the Office of the Provost and VP Academic and the Faculty, so you will need to ensure that you have your Faculty’s support and commitment for matching funds before you request course release in your proposal.  Faculty course releases are only applicable to Large TLEF Transformation projects.
Teaching & Learning Fellow
  • $62,700/yr (includes benefits)

Project Management
  • $75.90/hr (UBC staff)
Professional Development & Facilitation
  • $75.90/hr (UBC staff)
Learning Design / Instructional Design
  • $75.90/hr (UBC staff)
  • In-kind support for Learning Design is available from the CTLT for TLEF projects. Please contact Andrea Han (andrea.han@ubc.ca) to discuss your support needs.
Curriculum Development
  • $75.90/hr (UBC staff)
  • In-kind support for Curriculum Development is available from the CTLT for TLEF projects. Please contact Andrea Han (andrea.han@ubc.ca) to discuss your support needs.
Evaluation
  • Evaluation support needs for via GRAs, URAs, staff support should be part of your TLEF budget.
  • 10 hours in-kind support for Evaluation is available from the CTLT for all TLEF projects. Please contact Trish Varao-Sousa (trish.varao-sousa@ubc.ca) to discuss your support needs.
Computer Programming,  Application Development,  and Learning Technology Development  If you are applying to the TLEF to develop or adopt a learning technology tool, you must consult with Learning Technology Hub staff to ensure that your development plans align with the UBC learning ecosystem guidelines for Learning Technology adoption or development.

The LTHub has created a new Learning Technology (LT) Incubator to provide support to funded UBC learning technology projects by housing their software development within the LT Hub.  Please reach out early in your planning to get input from the LT Incubator team on your proposal and to explore the possibility of collaboration.

Please contact Tammy Yasrobi (tammy.yasrobi@ubc.ca) if your project relates to the development of a Learning Technology tool.

Graphic Design;
Web Design & Development
  • $56.00-$75.90/hr (UBC staff)
  • $37.53-38.99/hr (UBC graduate student)
  • $23.48-$25.63/hr (UBC undergraduate student)
Keynote Speaker / Presenter Range
  • $50.00-$125.00/hr
  • Travel extra
Web Maintenance & Hosting For TLEF projects of low complexity, hosting is available free of charge through either UBC Blogs or cms.ubc.ca. For extensive programming or integration with UBC systems, additional budget should be factored in. Costs will vary depending on the site design and complexity, and individual needs. Please consult with Faculty and University service units to ensure that you have received feedback on your plan, and for assistance with your budget estimates. If you are unsure who to contact for web-related questions please contact Tammy Yasrobi (tammy.yasrobi@ubc.ca).
Media Production Kit UBC will centrally loan media kits to TLEF projects to support basic, self-produced media content (e.g. video cameras, lighting/audio kits, and software licensing). In addition to kits, projects can make use of the DIY Recording studio and light-board studio in the UBC Studio, as well as media consultation support without charge.  Please contact the UBC Studios for more information.
Media Production Media production costs can vary dramatically according to the type of media being produced, the size of the project, and the production and post-production approaches used. UBC provides free consultation support through UBC Studios’ (ubcstudios.ubc.ca) Creative Development and Media Production services to help you develop a plan and budget for media in your project. To arrange for a consultation regarding your project's media needs, please send an email to ubc.studios@ubc.ca.
Student Wages If you plan to employ students in TLEF projects, you should use the rates below in determining your project budget.

CUPE 2278 (effective September 1st, 2023).

  • STA = $41.70/hr
  • GTA I  = $38.99/hr
  • GTA II = $37.53/hr
  • UTA I = $25.63hr
  • UTA II = $23.48/hr

When budgeting for student wages, please add 10% to these rates to cover benefit costs (e.g., employer paid portion of CPP and EI) to avoid going over budget when actual costs are deducted from the funding amount.

A portion ($8.00/hr) of the wages below may be subsidized under the UBC Work Learn Program. The CUPE 2278 rates below include vacation pay.

Please check with your departmental finance/administrative manager to ensure that you are following departmental practice for hiring students.