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 a 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

2025-26 Allocations

• Approved Program Allocations 2025-26 (PDF)

Call for 2026-27 Proposals

The call for new and continuing IRA proposals to be effective with the 2026-27 year was emailed to campuswide IRA leadership in October 2025.  IRA forms and budgets were also sent out to IRA leadership, and also are posted here:

• 2026-27 New IRA Recognition Form
• 2026-27 New IRA Budget Form
• 2026-27 Continuing IRA Recognition Form
• 2026-27 Continuing IRA Budget Form

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 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 respective college/area.  These recommendations are forwarded, via the IRA Advisory Committee, to the President for approval.

• If your proposed activity will require work space or may create safety concerns, contact your department/college/division to ensure that 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.

• Note that the total amount of IRA funding available increases only slightly each year, if at all.  Therefore, funding for individual IRAs may decrease with the approval of new IRAs.  Also, 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 IRA advisor and discuss the possibility of collaboration.

Contacts

Need help? Have questions? Contact Academic Programs and Planning at acadprog@calpoly.edu. 

Additional Information

• IRA Advisory Committee membership 2025-26
• Charge of the IRA Advisory Committee (rev. 2015)
• Title 5 California Education Code Section 89230
• CSU Executive Order No. 429 - Instructionally Related Activities Fee (1983)

 

Updated: 10/31/2025