Claude Code is now available through the U-M GPT Toolkit, giving faculty and staff access to an AI coding assistant that can help with software development, automation, debugging, testing, and other technical workflows. As interest in AI-assisted development continues to grow across higher education, ITS is committed to helping the U-M community explore these tools thoughtfully, responsibly, and in ways that support teaching, research, and university work.
To help lower barriers to experimentation and early adoption, ITS launched a limited initial allocation of Claude Code grants for faculty and staff across the university.
About the Claude Code Grant Program
Each Claude Code grant provides $250 in usage credits for Claude Code through the U-M GPT Toolkit. Awards will run from June 1, 2026, to August 15, 2026.
The program is intended to support experimental exploration, instructional innovation, research-related work, and university-affiliated projects that may benefit from AI-assisted software development workflows.
Grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis while funding remains available.
Faculty and staff who receive a grant may be asked to provide brief feedback or a short use case summary after their grant usage period. This feedback helps ITS better understand how the U-M community is using Claude Code and helps inform future support and program planning.
Usage and Responsible Spending
Claude Code usage is billed through the U-M GPT Toolkit and usage can vary significantly depending on workflow, coding patterns, and model usage. Grant recipients are encouraged to monitor their usage through the U-M GPT Toolkit dashboard to better understand consumption and manage spending responsibly.
Once grant credits are exhausted, users may continue using Claude Code if they have an authorized Shortcode associated with ongoing U-M GPT Toolkit usage.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Claude Code grant, applicants must:
- Be a current U-M faculty or staff member at the Ann Arbor, Dearborn, or Flint campus.
- Agree to use credits in compliance with U-M AI policies and applicable data governance guidelines and not use credits for personal or non-university-affiliated projects.
- Have a defined university-related purpose or plan for using Claude Code.
- Understand that Claude Code is not currently approved for student use, nor is it approved for use with Protected Health Information (PHI).
Applicants do not need to have U-M GPT Toolkit access in order to apply for the grant program.
Looking Ahead
ITS plans to continue evaluating how Claude Code can support teaching, research, and operational work across the university. As additional funding opportunities become available, future Claude Code grant cycles may be announced to support continued experimentation and responsible adoption across the U-M community. For more information on the U-M ITS AI Services, contact the ITS AI Service Team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is an AI coding assistant available through the U-M GPT Toolkit. It works within development environments and can help with tasks such as writing code, debugging, generating tests, refactoring applications, and automating repetitive development workflows.
Do I need access to the existing U-M GPT Toolkit to apply for a grant?
No. Users do not need to have U-M GPT Toolkit access to apply for the Claude Code Grant Program.
What happens when grant credits are used up?
Users may continue using Claude Code after grant credits are exhausted if they have an authorized Shortcode associated with ongoing U-M GPT Toolkit usage.
How do I continue using Claude Code through the U-M GPT Toolkit once the grant allocation is exhausted?
Refer to the following documentation for guidance on Claude Code.
- Create and Retrieve a Claude Code API Key
- Claude Code Setup for Mac/Linux
- Claude Code Setup for Windows
Is it possible to monitor my usage?
Users can monitor usage and spending through their U-M GPT Toolkit self-service portal page.
Are there restrictions on how grants can be used?
Yes. Grant credits may only be used for university-related work that complies with U-M AI policies and applicable data governance requirements.
Credits may not be used for:
- personal projects
- non-university work
- prohibited or non-compliant activities
- workloads involving PHI without appropriate approvals
Why was the submission form closed?
The initial allocation of grant funding has been fully committed. Additional application opportunities may be announced in the future.