The Medical Alumni Innovative Teaching Fund (MAITF), supported by the KU Medical Alumni Association, provides funding to encourage significant innovations in medical student teaching and evaluation by faculty members of the University of Kansas School of Medicine.

The Office of Medical Education administers the funding process, including coordinating the application solicitation, advising faculty on proposal development, overseeing the proposal review process, and notifying applicants of funding decisions.

Funding and Award Information

Individual awards may receive up to $25,000 for the one-year funding cycle, running from May 1, 2027, through April 30, 2028.

If awarded funds have not been fully expended by April 30, 2028, recipients may submit a written request for a one-year, no-cost extension. No additional extensions or renewals will be permitted.

Up to 80% of the total requested award amount may be allocated toward PI/Co-PI faculty salary support, provided the allocation complies with applicable funding and effort requirements and receives approval from the department chair.

For example, applicants requesting the maximum award of $25,000 may allocate up to $20,000 toward PI/Co-PI faculty effort (FTE).

Data Use and Collection Requirements

Applicants whose proposals involve collecting data from medical students and/or utilizing existing data previously collected by the KU School of Medicine must submit the Data Use and Collection form at the time of their MAITF application.

Additionally, any proposed new student surveys must be reviewed by the Office of Student Affairs. Surveys may not be distributed to students until prior approval has been obtained through the Office of Student Affairs.

Eligibility

Principal Investigator(s) (PIs) must be (a) full-time faculty member(s) in the KU School of Medicine

APPLICATION WITH SAMPLE RUBRIC

Application Submission Guidelines

Proposals must include:

• a complete yet concise description of the project in the required format
• line-item budget with complete budget justification/narrative
• biographical sketch from key project personnel (NIH format preferred)
• letter of support from the department chair(s)
• letter of support from associated project faculty (i.e. clinical skills lab director, clerkship director, etc.)

Proposals must be:

• no longer than five (5) single-spaced pages (excluding cover page, CVs, letters of support, and appendices)
• a minimum of 12-point font (excluding cover page, CVs, letters of support, and appendices)
• submitted in a single pdf to RedCap no later than 11:59 p.m. on February 01, 2027.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL VIA REDCAP

Criteria for Selection

The primary assessment criterion is the clear articulation of a project that makes a substantial and valuable contribution to innovation in medical student teaching and evaluation. Considerations in the evaluation of projects include:

• potential for direct improvement in the education of KUSOM medical students on all campuses
• evidence of integrating current literature and best practices
• evidence of a sound theoretical or conceptual framework
• valid educational and scientific design
• consideration of potential problems and strategies to address them, including feasibility and sustainability
• short and long-term outcomes with valid measures and appropriate qualitative or statistical analysis
• reasonable and rational budget
• potential for presentation and publication

View past recipients

KUMC IRB/Human Subjects approval will be required for funded proposals

Inquiries should be addressed to:

Giulia Bonaminio, Ph.D., gbonamin@kumc.edu
Cayla R. Teal, Ph.D., cteal@kumc.edu
Malik Williams, MSML, mwilliams58@kumc.edu