From coffee rooms to big crowds – Discussion is important in developing new lifewide learning content in Aalto
Craig Carlson is developing educational content for the target audience of lifewide learning, such as adult learners in working life.
Lifewide learning seed funding
Seed funding is available to support lifewide learning projects and faculty recruitment in Aalto University schools and departments. Funding lifewide learning at Aalto is intended to support our commitment to helping individuals, businesses, and society with upskilling and reskilling needs.
Seed funding invests in the future of lifewide learning
A seed fund has been made available for Aalto schools and departments to develop projects focused on lifewide learning with financial viability. The lifewide learning funding is specifically aimed at boosting academic activities and helping departments get a kick-start in offering lifewide learning courses that are both sustainable and financially viable.
We are committed to providing learners with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in an ever-changing world. By providing seed funding for lifewide learning development, we are investing in the future and helping to create a culture of lifewide learning that will benefit the society and industries. In committing to this seed funding initiative, Aalto University is actively investing in our society's upskilling and reskilling needs.
There are no active application rounds ongoing right now. We will inform about coming seed funding applications on this page.
Project funding
Project funding helps schools and departments to develop new products, models, tools, and methodologies that foster a culture of lifewide learning and bring feasible lifewide learning products to life. Each development project can be granted up to 100k€ per one year.
To apply for the funding, schools and departments need to submit proposals outlining their lifewide learning initiatives. Proposals must demonstrate how the project aligns with the lifewide learning approach and promotes innovative teaching and learning approaches. The project proposals will be evaluated based on their commercial potential, impact, feasibility, and sustainability.
Project proposal process
The first step is to prepare a project proposal outlining your lifewide learning initiative. The proposal should clearly describe the project's objectives, expected outcomes, activities, and methods. It should also explain how the project aligns with the lifewide learning approach and how it promotes innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
In the application form, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- Brief description of your project idea
- What is the outcome of the project
- What is the planned timeline of the project
- What is the target group of the project
The lifewide learning team at Aalto evaluates the proposals based on their commercial potential, impact, feasibility, and sustainability. Applicants who meet the criteria will be requested to submit a project plan. The project plan should include the proposed budget and business plan.
At this stage, project teams are encouraged to workshop their proposal further with lifewide learning and commercialization specialists to ensure financial feasibility and commercial opportunities for the project. Dialogue with lifewide learning and commercialization specialists is essential in ensuring market and portfolio fit.
Once the final proposal is received, it will be evaluated based on its commercial potential, impact, feasibility, and sustainability. The project idea proposal and project plan will both be included in the evaluation.
If your proposal is approved, you will receive a grant of up to 100k€ per year for your lifewide learning project.
Once you have received the grant, you can start implementing your lifewide learning project. The project will need a Steering Team to support the project's progress.
At the end of the project, you will need to provide a final report summarizing the project outcomes, impact, and any lessons learned. The report should also include a financial report outlining the use of the grant.
Faculty funding
A faculty recruitment funding supports schools and departments to initiate faculty recruitment efforts which increase lifewide teaching.
Each recruitment endeavor can be granted up to 60k€ per year for a maximum of 5 years, when the department commits to match 50% of the funding. The first funding is granted for 18 months (6 months preparation + 12 months for LWL delivery), further funding is subject to LWL contribution (metrics ECTS equivalent or € revenues).
The faculty recruitment should aim to attract scholars, researchers, and educators who can foster a culture of lifewide learning and contribute to the development and delivery of feasible lifewide learning methodologies and products. Typical titles for recruitment include, but are not limited to, Professor of Practice, Executive in Residence, and Lecturer. Normal academic processes and criteria and Aalto policies for the respective positions need to be followed.
Proposals must demonstrate how the recruitment aligns with the university's commitment to lifewide learning and how it promotes innovative approaches to lifewide learning at Aalto.
Proposal support
Expertise in lifewide learning
Lifewide learning specialists can provide expertise on innovation in teaching and learning, learner needs, as well as opportunities in the market and emerging trends in lifewide learning. This can help schools and departments identify the most effective lifewide learning initiatives to pursue.
Business and commercialization knowledge
Commercialization specialists can provide expertise on how to develop sustainable and financially viable lifewide learning initiatives. They can help schools and departments identify potential markets for their initiatives, as well as strategies for scaling their ideas.
Facilitation of productization sessions
Lifewide learning and commercialization specialists can facilitate brainstorming sessions with schools and departments to help generate innovative and impactful ideas for lifewide learning initiatives. They can also help schools and departments refine and prioritize their ideas based on feasibility, impact, and financial sustainability.
Feedback and evaluation
Specialists can provide feedback and evaluation of proposals during the ideation phase, helping schools and departments to refine their ideas and ensure that their initiatives are aligned with best practices and emerging trends in lifewide learning.
Examples of lifewide learning
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Students will find out what kind of skills and knowledge a person starting in their first managerial position should have.
Contact us
Laura Sivula
Director of Academic Affairs and International Business, Aalto EE
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