Applying to the Principal’s Teaching Award Scheme

Update Jan 2026: Due to the agreed changes to the Institute for Academic Development happening in AY25/26 Semester 2, there is now only one PTAS call in this academic year:

• 6th October 2025

There will be no further call for applications in Spring 2026. 

We will communicate any agreed calls for academic year 2026/27 in due course. 

Applications are submitted by 23:59 PM GMT on these dates, and are electronic only. Please note that late submissions will not be accepted and all submissions will require signatures (you would therefore be submitting PDF scanned copies, or use electronic signatures in your documentation). See further down the page for more details on how to submit.

Please note that funds for the October submission deadline will be disbursed in January. We anticipate that the panel for the Oct submission round will meet in late November and panel decisions will be sent to applicants in December. 

Please plan the start date of your project with these dates in mind.

Guidance notes and application forms

To support the project planning and proposal building stage, please read our Guidance document for both small and large grants

Guidance related to applications for PTAS Grants Guidance (PDF) 

To apply for a PTAS Small Grant (monies up to a maximum of £2500), please use our Small Grant form.

To apply for a PTAS Regular Grant (monies between £2501 and £18,000) please use our Regular Grant form.

For large and small grant applications here is the excel budget template:

Submission themes and special calls

We welcome proposals focused on all areas of learning and teaching. We particularly welcome bids which focus on the following themes:

• curriculum innovation, curriculum review, curriculum enhancements, and decolonising the curriculum
• equity, diversity, and inclusion
• assessment and feedback innovations
• sustainability, sustainable development goals
• digital, hybrid and blended learning
• transitions (e.g., school to university, year to year, university to work)

Workshops for prospective applicants

Each year we have two workshops to help prospective applicants. The workshop provides key information and guidance on how to apply for PTAS funding, including advice on what types of projects are funded, and there will also be space to discuss project ideas and ask questions.  

PTAS Information Sessions

A recording of a workshop about applying for PTAS funding is available below:

20th September 2023 (12:00 - 13:30) - Recording (Media Hopper)

Exemplars of submissions

PTAS Regular Grants exemplars

Chapman et al submission (PDF)

Quinn et al submission (PDF)

Sowa et al submission (PDF)

How to submit your completed application

Format: You are required to complete a Microsoft office form which includes submitting one electronic PDF copy of your completed application and one excel copy of your budget. 

Deadline time: The submission deadline is by 23:59 PM GMT on the date of submission; late submissions will not be considered.

Application signatures: The submissions require signatures and all those required should be on the submitted application. Italicised fonts are not recognised as a signature for this purpose.

Questions?

If you have any questions about PTAS, please contact iad.ptas@ed.ac.uk