TUM Future Learning Fund: Innovative Formats
Through the funding line “Innovative Formats” (funding line 2), approaches can be supported that contribute to the content-related and structural improvement of teaching – for example through new teaching formats, extracurricular and interdisciplinary courses such as Plug-in Modules, collaborations, specific didactic approaches, technological innovations, or in-depth “deep dives” into advanced topics. This funding line incorporates the former Ideas Competition “Academic Enrichment of the Excellence Strategy”.
- Applications for both funding lines were open from 31 January to 15 March 2026.
- New applications and applications for the extension and continuation of funded projects could be submitted.
Call for proposals 2026
The strong commitment and creativity of many lecturers, staff members, and students have demonstrated how a wide variety of initiatives can advance teaching. The insights gained highlight the potential of new ideas and will continue to shape our teaching in the future.
Funding line 2 “Innovative Formats” focuses on supporting new initiatives, new formats, new content, and new structures in the areas of teaching, learning, and assessment that contribute to the further development of teaching at TUM.
We welcome your project proposal if you have project ideas in which, for example,
- problem-based or project-based teaching is developed or further advanced,
- interdisciplinary teaching is developed or expanded, addressing cross-cutting topics (such as sustainability, ethics, artificial intelligence, data and process analysis) or deliberately incorporating subject areas from other disciplines,
- teaching formats are created that enable in-depth “deep dives” into selected subject areas,
- materials for case studies are developed (e.g. case descriptions, visual and audio materials, data sets) that can be referenced or integrated into degree programs over multiple semesters,
- teaching formats are further developed through the integration of external materials,
- courses contribute to enriching the EuroTeQ course catalog, in particular to support our international cohorts,
- teaching-supporting tools and projects (e.g. the development and testing of AI-supported tools) are developed that specifically support teaching at TUM.
The maximum funding amount per project is €20,000.
If your project is offered over more than one semester, the funding amount may be increased accordingly.
Eligible expenses include personnel costs and material costs, such as expenses for materials, workshops, or travel. The regulations governing the use of public funds apply; therefore, for example, hospitality costs are not eligible for reimbursement.
In justified cases, a higher funding amount may also be requested. The allocation of such funding will then be decided through a competitive process.
In justified cases, formats that have already been supported under the previous Ideas Competition funding scheme may be funded again. A prerequisite for reapplying in the current competitive procedure is that a clear further development and the transformative character of the project for teaching are evident. The project proposal must explain how sustainable continuation of the project can be implemented.
If you offer a teaching format, you may apply for funding for one semester: either the winter semester 2026/27 or the summer semester 2027. With appropriate justification, projects may also be funded for both semesters (the winter semester 2026/27 and the summer semester).
For teaching-supporting tools and projects that are developed and tested outside the regular semester schedule, funding for a longer project duration may be provided under certain conditions.
The jury meeting will take place in early summer 2026. You will be informed of the outcome shortly thereafter and can then begin your project. Courses may be offered at the earliest in the winter semester 2026/27.
Eligible applicants include Schools, Integrative Research Institutes, professors, and central service units (for example ProLehre | Media and Didactics, Corporate IT Systems and Services, the University Library, the TUM Language Center, the TUM Center for Study and Teaching, etc.), and student bodies.
Multiple applications per unit are possible. Applications must be submitted to the Vice Dean Academic & Student Affairs, the head of the respective service unit, or the TUM Student Council, as applicable, sufficiently in advance. A signed statement from the Vice Dean, the head of the service unit, or the TUM Student Council, as applicable, must be submitted with the application. After all applications have been received, the Vice Dean will receive an overview of all applications from their School in order to support a balanced allocation between new teaching offerings and existing core teaching.
The jury, chaired by the current Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, consists of representatives of the professoriate, the student body, academic staff, and non-academic and academic support staff.
In the selection of projects, the following criteria are taken into particular consideration:
- Degree of innovation and contribution to the further development of study and teaching at TUM, addressing current and future requirements of university teaching and learning
- For teaching formats: the didactic quality of the concept with clearly defined learning outcomes and competence goals
- Sustainability, i.e. the prospect that the developed formats, materials, or structures can continue to be used, further developed, or sustainably embedded beyond the funding period
- Feasibility and appropriateness of the use of resources in relation to the planned project duration
A complete application consists of the following components:
- Application text: In the application text, please describe the initial situation, objectives, and concrete measures in no more than two pages. Please also explain the criteria you will use to assess whether your project has been successful (evaluation criteria). Please use the template “Application text” provided at the bottom of this page.
- Tabular financial plan: Please attach a tabular financial plan to your application. Personnel and material costs may be requested. The regulations governing the use of public funds apply; therefore, for example, hospitality costs are not eligible for reimbursement. Please use the Excel form “Tabular financial plan” provided at the bottom of this page.
- Declaration: Please submit a signed declaration from the Vice Dean, the head of your organizational unit, or the TUM Student Council. Please contact your Vice Dean, the head of your organizational unit, or the TUM Student Council well in advance. Please use the template “Declaration Vice Dean / Unit head / TUM Student Council” provided at the bottom of this page.
- A complete online application via the application form; the application text, tabular financial plan, and declaration must be uploaded there.
The application can be submitted in German or English.
Answers to formal questions regarding the application process can be found in the templates. If you require further assistance, please feel free to contact us at tflf@cst.tum.de.
To ensure both the success of the project and the appropriate use of funds, reporting is required. We will inform you of the specific details once your project has been selected by the jury.
The application must be submitted via the application form by 15 March 2026.