Submit a SPICE Proposal

Classroom Modernization

Projects must address classroom or lab equipment or software. Eligible projects include but are not limited to lab and classroom equipment, new equipment, replacing or upgrading equipment, specialized software, and non-standard classroom furniture. Costs for the purchase and installation of equipment, room upgrades, and necessary building infrastructure upgrades should be addressed in the proposal.

Costs: Typical proposals range from $10,000 to $18,000. Maximum for any single proposal is $30,000. Proposals for less than $10,000 are also welcome. Full funding for proposals is not guaranteed, and proposals may be partially funded. SPICE recognizes that new ideas sometimes require significant faculty effort. Funding for a stipend for overload can be included in SPICE proposals. Assigned time will not be approved due to the impact on instruction. It is not typical to include overload or summer pay in Classroom Modernization proposals. If you have to include overload, a maximum of $7,464 may be awarded. This is equivalent to the standard replacement rate for 3 WTU of assigned time. If two or more faculty members collaborate to achieve the objectives of the project, they must divide the maximum total.

• Faculty may be named PI or co-PI on a maximum of TWO applications across both SPICE programs. Please do not combine multiple project ideas into one application.
• Funds are state dollars (not Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.) and will be spent using state processes, guidelines, and deadlines. See hospitality guidelines for expending State funds on food for student events or professional development events, or for paying individuals to participate in surveys and studies.

Classroom Innovation

We are eager to support projects that aim to revolutionize the educational experience. Eligible projects should align with our commitment to fostering innovation, inclusivity, and enriching the learning journey. The following types of projects are examples of what we seek:

Eligible projects include but are not limited to:

• Implementing innovative teaching practices
• Integrating signature polytechnic experiences
• Developing new course experiences
• Ensuring accessibility for online course materials
• Holding on-campus seminars or workshops
• Inviting guest speakers to classrooms
• Developing high-quality online or hybrid courses
• Providing learning resources.

Costs: Typical proposals range from $5,000 to $17,000. Maximum for a single proposal is $25,000. Proposals less than $5,000 are also welcome. Full funding for proposals is not guaranteed, and proposals may be partially funded. SPICE recognizes that new ideas sometimes require significant faculty effort. Funding for a stipend for overload can be included in SPICE proposals. Assigned time will not be approved due to the impact on instruction. The maximum dollar amount for faculty overload that may be included in a proposal is $7,464. This is equivalent to the standard replacement rate for 3 WTU of assigned time. If two or more faculty members collaborate to achieve the objectives of the project, they must divide the maximum total.

• Faculty may be named PI or co-PI on a maximum of TWO applications across both SPICE programs. Please do not combine multiple project ideas into one application.
• Funds are state dollars (not Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.) and will be spent using state processes, guidelines, and deadlines. See hospitality guidelines for expending State funds on food for student events or professional development events, or for paying individuals to participate in surveys and studies.

If applicable, proposal budgets must include rough estimates provided by Information Technology & Institutional Planning (IT&IP) and/or Academic Resources and Planning as appropriate. For example, if a proposal calls for computer equipment installation, IT&IP must provide a rough estimate of the total cost of equipment, plus installation. If the room where the computer equipment will be installed requires additional electrical outlets, proposers should contact Andrew Naranjo, Capital Projects Specialist in Academic Affairs.

• For estimates from IT&IP, please submit a “Make a Request” help ticket and put "SPICE Funding - Technical Review" in the short description box.
• For assistance with scoping out the infrastructure requirements and advice on potential costs, please contact Andrew Naranjo at amnaranjo@cpp.edu and include in the subject line that it is a SPICE estimate. If you are proposing the purchase of equipment, please provide vendor specifications for the equipment you intend to purchase.
• To include the estimates in your proposal, upload PDFs of the estimate documents as attachments to your proposal.

Any proposal requiring infrastructure additions/alterations, cosmetic or physical improvements to a room or teaching facility must have approval from the Dean of the College, and are subject to applicable California building code, fire/life/safety, and permit requirements. The project must consider, and the budget must include, any infrastructure needs such as electrical, ventilation, plumbing, and space clearances (including height). It is highly recommended that interested faculty submit their request for estimates as soon as possible and allow ample time (4-6 weeks) for the estimates.

Classroom Modernization

Room upgrades/facility modifications that do not support student learning, standard classroom furniture, consumables (e.g., sheet metal, test tubes), routine/recurring maintenance and repair needs.

*If there is a lack of eligible proposals for funding, the remaining available funds may be transferred to Innovative Approaches to Instruction.

Classroom Innovation

Faculty travel to conferences, research not related to coursework, and projects not related to the classroom experiences of students.

* If there is a lack of eligible proposals for funding, the remaining available funds may be transferred to Modernize Classroom Equipment.

Funding & Extension Requests (2025-2026)

If your SPICE application is funded, a budget allocation will be made to your department. Expenditures must be tracked with a SPICE-related class code in the chartfield-string used on all paperwork. Funds are state dollars (not Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Inc.) and will be spent using state processes, guidelines, and deadlines. See hospitality guidelines for expending State funds on food for student events or professional development events, or for paying individuals to participate in surveys and studies.

Awarded funds must be used for the purposes for which they were budgeted, with reasonable deviations allowable.

University Administrative Processing Timelines apply, with some deadlines as early as March depending upon the activities involved. We recommend planning to submit all expenditure requests no later than the end of February to assure expenses post in time.

Extensions are provided only under exigent circumstances such as were associated with the pandemic and supply chain challenges. To request a funding extension, please email the SPICE Committee at spicecommittee@cpp.edu using the format provided below by May 15, 2026, for it to be considered. Requests received after May 15, 2026, may not be considered.

FORMAT for extension requests:

Dear SPICE Committee:

RECAP: Describe the objective(s) of your proposal.

ISSUES: Describe the issue(s) that prevented the spending of the SPICE grant monies.

ACTIONS TAKEN: Describe all action taken in your attempts to keep the project on schedule.

POSSIBLE SOLUTION: List possible solutions to ensure funds will be exhausted by the deadline set by the Committee (if approved).

REMAINING FUNDS AND A REVISED BUDGET: Provide a recap of amount awarded and remaining award to be spent. Please submit a revised budget. Please use track changes to indicate the requested modifications to the budget.

REQUEST: Formal request of the extension. Provide the date of when you expect to have expended all SPICE funds. Funds not expended by the deadline approved by the SPICE Committee will revert to the SPICE funds for future awards.