Deadline: 26-Jun-2026
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort is a professional development and grant program by Interfaith America that supports four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Selected institutions receive up to $10,000 to implement pluralism-focused faculty development plans through Centers for Teaching and Learning. The program helps educators build classroom environments that support constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, respect across differences, and cooperation for the common good.
Overview
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort supports colleges and universities that want to strengthen classroom pluralism through faculty development and institutional collaboration.
The program is led by Interfaith America and focuses on helping educators foster respectful dialogue, mutual understanding, and relationship-building across diverse identities and communities.
The initiative is designed for institutional teams from four-year colleges and universities in the United States.
Key Program Details
- Program Name: Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort
- Organiser: Interfaith America
- Country: United States
- Eligible Applicants: Teams from four-year colleges and universities
- Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per selected institution
- Main Focus: Classroom pluralism, faculty development, inclusive teaching, constructive dialogue, and institutional capacity building
- In-Person Convening: August 6–9, 2026, in Chicago
- Implementation Plan Due: September 2026
- Virtual Sessions: Five sessions between September 2026 and July 2027
- Required Support Letter: Provost or Chief Academic Officer
- Deadline: Not specified in the source article
Purpose of the Program
The purpose of the Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort is to help colleges and universities build stronger faculty capacity for teaching across difference.
The program responds to growing challenges related to conflict, polarization, and difficult classroom conversations on college campuses.
It supports institutions in developing long-term strategies that help faculty create learning environments grounded in respect, constructive dialogue, and cooperation.
Focus Areas
The program supports teaching, learning, and institutional development around pluralism.
Key focus areas include:
- Classroom pluralism
- Constructive dialogue
- Mutual understanding
- Respect for diverse identities
- Relationship-building across diverse communities
- Cooperation for the common good
- Faculty development
- Pluralism-focused pedagogy
- Inclusive teaching and learning
- Institutional capacity building
- Cross-campus collaboration
- Faculty training
- Campus culture improvement
- Long-term institutional strategy
What is Classroom Pluralism?
Classroom pluralism refers to teaching and learning practices that help students engage constructively across differences.
It supports classroom environments where students can discuss complex issues, encounter diverse perspectives, listen respectfully, and build relationships across religious, cultural, political, racial, social, and worldview differences.
The goal is not to remove disagreement from the classroom. The goal is to help faculty guide disagreement in ways that promote learning, respect, mutual understanding, and cooperation.
Why the Program Was Created
The program was created to address the need for practical tools that help faculty manage challenging conversations across difference.
Many educators value diverse perspectives but may feel unprepared to facilitate discussions involving conflict, identity, belief, or social tension.
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort helps institutions build structured faculty development programs that prepare educators to teach effectively in diverse and polarized campus environments.
Role of Centers for Teaching and Learning
The program focuses on Centers for Teaching and Learning, also known as CTLs.
CTLs play an important role in faculty development at colleges and universities.
Through this cohort, CTLs will receive support to integrate pluralism-focused practices into regular faculty development programming.
This approach helps make pluralism part of ongoing institutional teaching culture rather than a one-time activity.
Who is Eligible?
The program is open exclusively to teams from four-year colleges and universities located in the United States.
Eligible applicants must apply as institutional teams.
Each team must include:
- A senior leader from the institution’s Center for Teaching and Learning
- Two strategically selected cross-disciplinary faculty members
- Institutional support for participation and implementation
- A letter of support from the Provost or Chief Academic Officer
Team Structure
Each selected institution must form a three-member team.
The team should include people who can influence faculty development, classroom practice, and cross-campus collaboration.
Required team members include:
- One senior CTL leader
- Two faculty members from different disciplines
- Faculty members who can help design, test, and expand pluralism-focused teaching practices
This structure helps ensure that the program is connected to both institutional leadership and classroom-level implementation.
Funding Information
Each selected institution will receive grant funding of up to $10,000.
The funding is intended to support implementation of the institution’s pluralism-focused faculty development plan.
Grant funds should help strengthen:
- Faculty development programming
- Pluralism-focused pedagogy
- Classroom dialogue practices
- Institutional teaching capacity
- Long-term inclusive learning goals
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
What the Program Supports
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort supports institutional planning, faculty development, and classroom practice.
Supported activities may include:
- Faculty workshops
- Pluralism-focused teaching programs
- Pedagogical resource development
- Constructive dialogue training
- Classroom practice support
- Cross-disciplinary faculty collaboration
- CTL programming expansion
- Institutional strategy development
- Peer learning with other institutions
- Implementation of recurring high-impact programming
Cohort Experience
Selected institutions will join a cohort of peer institutions committed to advancing pluralism through teaching and learning.
The cohort experience includes in-person learning, implementation planning, virtual professional development, and peer collaboration.
Participating teams will work together to develop plans that create recurring and high-impact faculty development programming.
Program Timeline
The program includes several key stages.
Important timeline points include:
- August 6–9, 2026: In-person convening in Chicago as part of the Interfaith Leadership Summit
- September 2026: Final implementation plan due
- After plan approval: First installment of grant funding provided
- September 2026 to July 2027: Five virtual professional development and peer-learning sessions
- Academic year participation: Continued implementation, planning, and collaboration
In-Person Convening
The cohort begins with an in-person convening in Chicago from August 6–9, 2026.
This convening takes place as part of the Interfaith Leadership Summit.
Participating teams are expected to attend, complete pre-work, engage in planning activities, and begin developing their institutional approach to pluralism-focused faculty development.
Implementation Plan
By September 2026, participating institutions must submit a finalized implementation plan.
The plan should explain how the institution will integrate pluralism pedagogies into regular CTL programming.
The plan should also describe how the institution will sustain faculty development efforts beyond the cohort experience.
After the implementation plan is approved, the institution will receive the first installment of grant funding.
Virtual Professional Development Sessions
Between September 2026 and July 2027, cohort teams will participate in five virtual sessions.
These sessions are designed to support:
- Professional development
- Peer learning
- Implementation support
- Institutional collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Sharing of best practices
- Long-term planning
The virtual sessions help institutions stay connected and supported throughout the implementation period.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal through Interfaith America’s online application system.
The proposal should include:
- The institution’s interest in prioritizing pluralism
- Opportunities related to classroom pluralism
- Challenges related to classroom pluralism
- Description of the proposed team
- Team qualifications
- Anticipated institutional support
- Previous pluralism-related initiatives
- Explanation of how cohort participation will support sustainable change
- Plan for strengthening faculty development programming
- Letter of support from the Provost or Chief Academic Officer
How to Apply or Prepare
Institutions should prepare a clear proposal that shows readiness, leadership, institutional support, and a strong plan for faculty development.
Step 1: Confirm Institutional Eligibility
Applicants should confirm that their institution is a four-year college or university located in the United States.
The program is not open to individual faculty applicants or institutions outside the United States.
Step 2: Build the Three-Member Team
The institution should identify a strong team of three members.
The team should include:
- A senior CTL leader
- Two cross-disciplinary faculty members
- Members with experience or interest in teaching across difference
- Members who can help influence faculty development programming
Step 3: Identify Campus Needs
The proposal should describe why classroom pluralism matters for the institution.
Applicants should explain current challenges, such as polarization, difficult classroom discussions, limited faculty preparation, or the need for stronger dialogue-based teaching practices.
Step 4: Describe Existing Work
Applicants should highlight any previous or current pluralism-related initiatives.
This may include work related to inclusive teaching, dialogue programs, interfaith engagement, diversity education, civic learning, or faculty development.
Step 5: Explain the Faculty Development Plan
Applicants should describe how they plan to create or strengthen recurring faculty development programming.
The plan should show how pluralism-focused pedagogy will become part of regular CTL work.
Step 6: Secure Institutional Support
Applicants must include a letter of support from the Provost or Chief Academic Officer.
This letter should demonstrate institutional commitment and support for the team’s participation and implementation plan.
Step 7: Prepare for Full Participation
Institutions should confirm that team members can attend the in-person convening, complete pre-work, join virtual sessions, and participate in planning and implementation activities throughout the academic year.
Expected Results
Selected institutions are expected to strengthen classroom pluralism and faculty development capacity.
Expected results may include:
- Stronger faculty skills for facilitating dialogue across difference
- Better classroom practices for respectful engagement
- Increased student exposure to diverse perspectives
- Improved institutional capacity for inclusive teaching
- Recurring CTL programming focused on pluralism
- Cross-disciplinary faculty collaboration
- Stronger institutional strategies for teaching and learning
- National peer learning among participating institutions
- More constructive campus learning environments
Why This Program Matters
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort matters because colleges and universities need practical ways to respond to polarization and conflict in classroom settings.
Faculty members often want to support diverse perspectives but may need training, tools, and institutional support to facilitate meaningful dialogue.
By investing in Centers for Teaching and Learning, the program helps institutions build sustainable systems that support faculty and improve classroom culture over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals from individuals rather than institutional teams.
Institutions should not apply without a clear role for the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Applicants should avoid vague descriptions of pluralism. The proposal should clearly explain how classroom pluralism will be supported through faculty development.
Institutions should not overlook the requirement for a Provost or Chief Academic Officer letter of support.
Teams should avoid proposing one-time activities only. The program is designed to support recurring, high-impact programming and long-term institutional change.
Applicants should also ensure team members can attend the in-person convening and participate in all virtual sessions.
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should clearly show institutional readiness, team capacity, and long-term value.
Applicants should:
- Build a strong three-member team
- Include a senior CTL leader
- Select faculty from different disciplines
- Clearly define classroom pluralism goals
- Explain campus challenges and opportunities
- Show institutional support
- Highlight previous related initiatives
- Propose recurring faculty development programming
- Connect activities to long-term institutional strategy
- Demonstrate readiness for in-person and virtual participation
- Include a strong support letter from senior academic leadership
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort?
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort is a professional development and grant program by Interfaith America that helps U.S. colleges and universities strengthen classroom pluralism through faculty development and institutional collaboration.
Who can apply?
The program is open exclusively to teams from four-year colleges and universities located in the United States.
How much funding is available?
Each selected institution may receive grant funding of up to $10,000 to support implementation of a pluralism-focused faculty development plan.
What is the required team structure?
Each team must include three members: one senior leader from the institution’s Center for Teaching and Learning and two strategically selected cross-disciplinary faculty members.
What is classroom pluralism?
Classroom pluralism refers to teaching practices that help students engage respectfully and constructively across differences, including differences in identity, belief, worldview, experience, and perspective.
What must be included in the application?
Applications must include a comprehensive proposal, team information, institutional context, previous pluralism-related work, proposed plans for sustainable change, and a letter of support from the Provost or Chief Academic Officer.
When does the cohort begin?
The cohort begins with an in-person convening in Chicago from August 6–9, 2026, as part of the Interfaith Leadership Summit.
Conclusion
The Teaching and Learning Pluralism Cohort supports four-year U.S. colleges and universities in building stronger faculty capacity for constructive dialogue and inclusive classroom engagement.
Through professional development, peer learning, institutional planning, and grant funding of up to $10,000, the program helps Centers for Teaching and Learning integrate pluralism-focused pedagogy into regular faculty development programming.
This opportunity is best suited for institutions ready to build sustainable teaching strategies that promote mutual understanding, respect across differences, relationship-building, and cooperation for the common good.
For more information, visit Interfaith America.