What is IAP?

Hoping to offer a non-credit activity (note: we use “activity” to refer to any sort of non-credit class, workshop, or event offered during IAP)? Unlike for-credit subjects, non-credit activities do not need to go through a formal approval process. As long as whatever you are planning is safe, legal, and aligned with MIT’s policies (see the next section for details), you can go ahead and call it an IAP activity.

The MIT Events Calendar acts as the official list of non-credit IAP activities, and OEL directs MIT community members there to find activities. In order to submit your activity to the Calendar, you will need to be an admin on an account with event editor permissions. See below for access guidelines depending on your role. If you already have event editor access/once you are granted access, we ask that you submit your activity to the Calendar and select “IAP (Independent Activities Period)” under “Event Types” so that people know you intend it to be an IAP activity. You should also select one or more of the IAP themes listed under “Events by Interest” to help people find your activity.

Note: The dedicated channel for IAP on the MIT Events Calendar will go live on November 1, 2025, at the following URL: https://calendar.mit.edu/MIT_IAP. If you are posting your event before November 1, be sure to return to your event listing and add the appropriate tags so it appears on the IAP Calendar channel.

For Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff should email calendar@mit.edu and request to be added either under an existing DLCI, office, or program account, or to create a new account (see instructions—note that you must be connected to the MIT network, either on campus (e.g., via MIT SECURE) or remotely through the Institute’s VPN to access the instructions). All admins on an account can post and edit events on behalf of the DLCI, office, or program. Once approved and granted event editor permissions, each admin will receive next-step instructions and guidelines from the Events Calendar team.

For Students

Students who wish to request access should email calendar@mit.edu. If you are looking to be added under an existing ASA-recognized student group, you must include your role within the group in your request. If you are not an officer, you will need to loop in the group’s officer(s) who can confirm that you are allowed to post on the group’s behalf. Once approved, you will then receive next-step instructions and guidelines from the Events Calendar team. If your ASA-recognized group is not on the Calendar, you will need to request it be added (see instructions—note that you must be connected to the MIT network, either on campus (e.g., via MIT SECURE) or remotely through the Institute’s VPN to access the instructions.) If you are a student looking to post for a DLCI, you must first contact a staff member in that DLCI who already has posting access and ask that they post your activity on your behalf. Students are not granted posting access on behalf of a DLCI.

For Unaffiliated Activities

If you are a current MIT employee or student and would like to post an activity that is not affiliated with a DLCI, office, program, or student group, OEL may be able to post the activity on your behalf. Please follow the instructions for proposing an unaffiliated IAP activity.

For Alumni

Alumni who are not currently enrolled at or employed by MIT should reach out to Dominick Tomanelli in the MIT Alumni Association with any questions or requests for support with posting activities.

Responsibility for non-credit activities lies with the sponsoring MIT individual or group. All activities are required to meet safety, health, legal, and general regulations governing the use of MIT facilities.

IAP activity sponsors should review and understand:

• MIT event policy and Institute Event registration requirements
• Event safety guidelines from EHS (when a safety plan is required and what to include)
• Rules about tuition, housing, meals, academic credit, special student enrollment in the MIT Bulletin

Activity sponsors are responsible for scheduling and reserving rooms for their activities, and must cover associated costs. Below are instructions and tips on reserving MIT rooms and equipment.

• Classrooms: Most classrooms can be reserved via the Schedules Office online reservation request form. You can request a specific room or a room by size, seating arrangement, location, and view pictures and detailed room layout/equipment information online via the MIT Schedules Office Classroom List.
• Campus Activities Complex spaces: The CAC manages Kresge, the Student Center/W20, the Chapel, and Walker Memorial. They accept reservations on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Other On-Campus Rooms: There are many conference rooms and other facilities that can be reserved through individual offices, departments, or living groups. Rules for reserving these rooms vary.

You may be able to borrow equipment from a department, center, laboratory, office, or from the area where the activity will be located. If equipment cannot be borrowed, it may be rented from the MIT Audiovisual Services in IS&T. 

There are a few options for promoting your IAP activities…

1. Events Calendar – This is the primary place to post activities open to the entire MIT community. IAP activities should be tagged with “IAP (Independent Activities Period)” under “Event Types” and any appropriate IAP themes under “Events by Interest.” Be sure to specify whether advance registration is required. If your activity spans multiple days (e.g. a non-credit class that meets weekly during IAP), be sure to include all dates/times and note whether attendance at multiple sessions is required/allowed/expected. If you do not have an Events Calendar account, please see the instructions under “Submitting an activity.” Consult this page for posting instructions and FAQs.
2. ELx – This is the primary place to post Experiential Learning Opportunities (ELOs) for undergraduate and graduate students. To be listed on ELx, an ELO should be substantial in duration (typically 70+ hours in total). For more information, see the ELx FAQ. 
3. Other Outlets – Websites, newsletters, email lists, social media accounts, digital displays, posters, and Tech ads can help get the word out about your IAP activity.

Active members of the MIT community (employees and students) are invited to apply for IAP Mini-Grants to support their IAP activities. Funding can be used for individual projects or to support non-credit activities open to other MIT community members.

IAP Mini-Grant awards are typically up to $1,000 (or up to $500 for individual projects); in exceptional cases, larger awards may be available for projects with a broader scope (i.e., involving many MIT community members) or bigger impact (i.e., advancing MIT strategic priorities such as climate, design, or other social impact). Proposals will be evaluated based on whether they fit the spirit of IAP, the value they bring to the MIT community, and their overall feasibility. Proposals focused on climate and sustainability, social impact, and/or design and making are particularly encouraged and will be given special consideration.

The grant application opens in September, and grants are awarded by the end of October to allow time for planning activities and ordering project materials.

You can also review this (student-focused) list of funding sources, many of which can support IAP activities.