Instructionally Related Activities
What is an IRA?
An Instructionally Related Activity (IRA) is an "out-of-class experience" that provides enrichment to students and enhances their learning at Cal Poly. Funding for recognized IRAs is provided through student fees. All IRA programs/activities are "integrally related" to a formal instructional program and provide "learn-by-doing" opportunities. For more information and limitations, see Title 5 California Education Code Section 89230
What is the difference between an RSO (Club) and an IRA? View the Powerpoint presentation as a pdf
General IRA Information
- List of Recognized IRA Programs
- Criteria for IRA Recognition
- Expenditure Guidelines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- IRA Resource and Operations Guide
2024-25 Allocations
Call for Proposals
The Call for Proposals for the 2025-26 Academic Year is now closed. The process for new proposals to be effective with the 2026-27 year will begin in late December, 2025, and the call for continuing proposals will go out in January 2026.
IMPORTANT: Any IRA wishing to remain in active and Continuing status must complete the required forms and circulate them for signatures during the continuing proposal process, even if not requesting funding.
- Requests for IRA recognition and funding are initiated through faculty or staff advisors who submit the proposals to their college or the VP Student Affairs. The IRA Advisory Committee reviews all requests for recognition and forwards their recognition recommendations to the campus President. With advice from the College Student Councils, the Deans and VP Student Affairs review funding requests and make funding recommendations for the recognized IRAs within their college/area. These recommendations are forwarded, via the IRA Advisory Committee, to the campus President for approval.
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If your proposed activity will require work space or may create safety concerns, contact your department/college/division to ensure needs of the activity can be met. Recognition of an activity as an IRA in no way guarantees it will be able to operate if space or safety concerns cannot be met.
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Note that the total amount of IRA funding available increases only slightly each year, if at all, and can drop if campus or individual college enrollments drop. Therefore, recognition as an IRA in no way guarantees funding. Potential new activities are encouraged to research those IRAs already operating on campus and, if the activities are similar, to contact the existing activity and discuss the possibility of working together.
Contacts
Need help? Have questions? Contact Jessica Carson, Administrative Analyst, Office of Academic Innovations and Programs