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

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 IRA leadership in October 2025, and also are posted here:

• 2026-27 New IRA Recognition Form
• 2026-27 Continuing IRA Recognition 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 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 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, and can 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 working together.

Contacts

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

Additional Information

• Title 5 California Education Code Section 89230
• CSU Executive Order No. 429 - Instructionally Related Activities Fee (1983)
• IRA Advisory Committee membership 2024-25
• Charge of the IRA Advisory Committee (rev. 2015)

 

Updated: 10/20/2025