Faculty Technology Institute Deep Dive Project Application

We all have that one task—a weirdly specific grading rubric, a unique lab sign-up sheet, or a syllabus search tool—that standard software just doesn’t handle right. The solution? Join the ‘Build A Tool’ track this summer. In 5 days, move from a ‘vague idea’ to a fully functional, integrated micro-app—no coding experience required. The 2026 Faculty Technology Institute (FTI) is shifting the focus from simply using AI to “Build A Tool.” Leveraging the power of “Vibe Coding”—the ability to create functional software using natural language—we are inviting faculty to design bespoke digital assistants, simulators, and automated workflows tailored to their specific disciplines. If you can describe it, you can build it!

The FTI Deep Dive provides a structured path, a small technology stipend, and student employee assistance to help you move from a “spark of an idea” to a functional, custom-built tool. Whether it’s a Syllabus Vibe Checker, a Cultural Nuance Roleplayer, or a Grant Budget Whisperer, this program provides the time and expertise to make it a reality.

Faculty participants are eligible for a $200 technology stipend for:

Active Participation: Attending the “Build Your Own Tool” workshops (May 18–22) to master natural language syntax and deployment techniques.
Rapid Prototyping: Experimenting with your own course materials to “vibe” the initial logic and UI of your tool.
Collaborative Design: Working with FTI Instructors and cohort peers to refine your project’s architecture.
Defining the Roadmap: Leaving FTI with a functional “Alpha” version or a clearly documented development plan.
Showcasing: Sharing your tool or a reflection on the process at a future Faculty Technology Showcase.

Student Support: Funding for up to 20 hours of student worker production support is available to help refine, test, and deploy your project for use in the 2026–27 academic year.

Attendance & Participation Expectations

The Project Track: Participants are expected to attend all required sessions in the Build Your Own Tool track. These are the “lab hours” where the heavy lifting happens.
Student Collaborators: If you have a specific student in mind to help build your tool, we encourage them to attend the workshops with you. We will pay students for their attendance, and these hours will not count against your 20-hour project allotment.
Progress over Perfection: The FTI is an incubator. The expectation is not a finished, polished product by Friday afternoon, but rather a clearly defined project underway with a roadmap for completion over the summer.

How to Apply

To apply, complete the online proposal form. The proposal should provide a brief description (no more than one page) of your project. Proposal evaluation will begin on May 11, 2026. Late applications will be considered as funding allows. Please contact anyone in Educational Technology or email edtech@lclark.edu with questions.