This page provides frequently asked questions for faculty interested in applying for Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) funding. The information below addresses common questions about eligibility, the application process, and key requirements for submitting a proposal.
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“Instructionally related activities” means those activities and laboratory experiences that are at least partially sponsored by an academic discipline or department and that are, in the judgment of the president of a particular campus, with the approval of the trustees, integrally related to its formal instructional offerings.
Activities that are considered to be essential to a quality educational program and an important instructional experience for any student enrolled in the respective program may be considered "instructionally related activities."
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IRA Revenue is a Category II student fee. IRA Revenue is collected per student and per semester.
Please visit Student Business Services webpage for current rates of IRA and other campus fees
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Instructionally related activities include, but are not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Radio, television, film: costs related to the provisions of basic “hands-on” experience not provided by the state. Purchase or rental of films as instructional aids shall not be included.
(b) Music and dance performance: costs to provide experience in individual and group performance, including recitals, before audiences and in settings sufficiently varied to familiarize students with the performance facet of the field.
(c) Theatre and musical productions: basic support of theatrical and operatic activities sufficient to permit experience not only in actual performance, but in production, direction, set design, and other elements considered a part of professional training in these fields.
(d) Art exhibits: support for student art shows given in connection with degree programs.
(e) Publications: the costs to support and operate basic publication programs including a periodic newspaper and other laboratory experience basic to journalism and literary training. Additional publications designed primarily to inform or entertain shall not be included.
(f) Forensics: activities designed to provide experience in debate, public speaking, and related programs, including travel required for a competitive debate program.
(g) Other activities: activities associated with other instructional areas that are consistent with purposes included in the above may be added as they are identified.
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IRA applications are accepted during the annual award cycle through InfoReady. All required information, approvals, and uploads are completed within a single online application.
The IRA open call is conducted one year in advance of the funded fiscal year (July–June) to support campus planning, proposal review, and timely implementation of funded activities.
Applications open in October for the following academic year.
Please view the Annual Timeline webpage for more information
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Proposals are reviewed by the IRA Committee using a standardized scoring rubric aligned with California Education Code § 89230 and CSU policy. Criteria include instructional relevance, student impact, engagement, learning outcomes, and overall clarity.
Committee recommendations are forwarded to the Provost for final approval.
It is important to recognize that a typical IRA annual call generates approximately $4 in requests for every $1 in IRA fee revenue. The application review process is very competitive and not all applications will be funded.
Award & denial notifications are sent to applicants' CSUCI email mid-May. For more information on the annual timeline, please visit the Annual Timeline webpage
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Please reference IRA Guidelines for general guidance on the use of IRA funds. Priority guidelines for funding IRA proposals are governed by California Education Code 89230.
- Activities must support enrolled students and be connected to academic programs.
- All IRA-funded activities must be open and available to all interested participants, regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin.
- In accordance with CSUCI Policy AA.02004, IRA funds shall not be used to support faculty positions or provide additional compensation to faculty. Accordingly, faculty salaries are not an allowable expense under IRA funding.
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Effective immediately, Island-related travel requests are no longer processed through the annual IRA application process. For detailed instructions on applying for trips, please visit the Santa Rosa Island Research Station webpage. Please do not use the InfoReady site to apply for Santa Rosa Island trips.
If there are questions not listed above, please visit our contact page