Cycle 4 of Mini-Grants, applications are now open!

The NW XR EDU Network is offering $500 mini-grants to higher education faculty and staff to create interactive educational resources, such as 3D models, 360° videos, virtual tours, and immersive learning experiences.

NW XR EDU NETWORK | CYCLE 4

Project Grants for Faculty and Staff

Have an idea for an interactive learning experience, 360° video, virtual tour, or 3D educational resource? Explore the possibilities with us!

$500 per project

Application deadline: November 30, 2026

Apply Now →

Overview

The NW XR EDU Network is offering $500 project stipends to higher education faculty and academic professionals to explore how Extended Reality (XR) technologies can enhance teaching and learning.

How Does It Work?

You bring the educational idea and expertise! You can develop your project independently or collaborate with Bellevue College’s XR Lab team for technical development support.

No previous XR development experience is required.

Completed projects will be shared as Open Educational Resources (OER), making them available for other educators to use and adapt.

As part of Cycle 4, participants will also implement their completed resources with students and collect feedback to evaluate their effectiveness in teaching and learning.

Key Dates

Application Deadline: November 30, 2026
Recipients Announced: By December 31, 2026
Project Development: January–June 2027
Final Project Deadline: June 14, 2027

Who Can Apply?

  • Higher education faculty, including full-time and adjunct instructors.
  • Other academic professionals, including librarians, counselors, and staff, may also apply as long as they are eligible to receive a stipend for their work.
  • Applicants from higher education institutions across the U.S., particularly in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Individuals or teams, including previous applicants and recipients.

Stipend Eligibility: Applicants are responsible for confirming with their institution or employer that they are eligible to receive a stipend before applying.

Stipends are generally paid directly to individuals, rather than institutions or companies. Alternative payment arrangements may be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to approval.

The $500 stipend is awarded per project, including team submissions. Payment is made upon successful completion of the project and submission of all agreed deliverables, not during project development.

What Kind of Projects Are We Looking For?

We welcome creative ideas from any discipline! Projects could include:

  • Interactive 3D models: Explore anatomy, scientific structures, or historical artifacts.
  • 360° videos and virtual tours: Bring real-world environments into the classroom.
  • Virtual and augmented reality: Create immersive learning experiences.
  • Interactive simulations: Help students practice skills and explore real-world scenarios.
  • Web-based interactive experiences: Develop educational games, visualizations, or browser-based activities.

Other ideas are welcome, too! We’re looking for projects with clear educational goals that can be completed within six months.

What Is Expected of Participants?

Selected participants will:

  • Provide educational content and expertise, and develop the project independently or with XR Lab support.
  • Participate in regular project check-ins and provide progress updates.
  • Implement the completed resource with students in a course or other educational setting.
  • Collect student feedback through a short survey to evaluate the learning experience.
  • Share progress at a Winter Quarter showcase and final results, including implementation feedback, at a Spring Quarter showcase.
  • Create instructional documentation, including learning objectives, activities, and guidance for educators, to accompany the completed resource in our OER repository.

The XR Lab can provide technical development support depending on project needs and available resources.

Explore Previous Projects

See educational resources developed through the Northwest Open XR Initiative.

Explore Our OER Repository →

How to Apply

  1. Review the Cycle 4 Project Grant Guidelines for full eligibility, project requirements, and selection criteria.
  2. Complete the NW XR EDU Project Grant Application Form .
  3. Submit your application by November 30, 2026.

You don’t need to have the technical details figured out before applying. We’re interested in your educational ideas and how they could benefit students!

Apply for a Cycle 4 Mini-Grant →

About the NW XR EDU Network

The NW XR EDU Network brings together educators and professionals interested in exploring XR in teaching and learning through workshops, collaborative projects, and shared resources.

Questions?

Contact Bellevue College’s XR Lab at xrlab@bellevuecollege.edu .

This initiative is funded by the National Science Foundation and hosted by Bellevue College’s NW XR EDU Network and XR Lab.