Princeton-based ETS Research Institute, in partnership with the University of Memphis and Georgia State University, has been awarded a prestigious four-year, $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The funding, provided through the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), aims to transform how generative artificial intelligence is integrated into college classrooms, shifting the focus from passive usage to active, critical learning.
As generative AI becomes a staple in student life, educators have grown concerned that unstructured use could erode critical thinking and knowledge retention. This new initiative seeks to turn the tide by developing Scenario-Based Learning and Assessments (SBLAs).
These SBLAs will place more than 2,000 students in realistic, discipline-specific simulations where they must use AI responsibly to solve complex problems, receive feedback, and refine their reasoning.
“As generative AI reshapes education, our responsibility is to set a standard for how AI can deepen learning, strengthen critical thinking, and empower both students and educators,” Kadriye Ercikan, senior vice president of Global Research at ETS said.
The research team, led by PI Zuowei Wang, plans to deliver a national model for AI-enhanced instruction by the end of the grant period. Key objectives include:
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Promoting deep learning: Moving beyond simple AI prompts to foster reflection and ethical decision-making.
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Expanding AI literacy: Teaching students not just how to use AI, but how to question and validate its outputs.
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Institutional collaboration: Refining these models across a diverse set of campuses, including two public universities and a community college.
This award is part of a larger $169 million FIPSE investment by the Department of Education, which recently restructured its grant priorities to focus on four areas of national need: AI in education, civil discourse, accreditation reform, and short-term workforce programs.
