UPDATE: Apply By May 15th For Our CDP Cohort Grant Application!

Selected awardees will partner with the IF team to host a 15-hour Coach Training for a cohort of 10 – 20 committed participants. This training equips participants to confidently use and teach collaborative discussion curriculum in classrooms, communities, & workplaces.

The Interactivity Foundation covers training-related costs, including:

• Training team and facilitation, including travel and lodging
• Training materials and curriculum
• Certification and badging
• Participant registration fees

This highly interactive training features small-group engagement, hands-on practice, and individualized support. The training is roughly 15-hours of contact that can be delivered in-person (1.5 days) or virtually (3 hours a day X 5 days).

Upon successful completion, cohort participants will:

• Understand key collaborative discussion concepts and how they support democratic, inclusive inquiry.
• Apply the Collaborative Discussion Toolkit with confidence—including intentional activity design and facilitation strategies.
• Practice facilitating core activities with structured debriefs on method and purpose.
• Access coach-only resources such as assessment tools, templates, and facilitation supports.
• Receive post-training consultations and invitations to workshops that extend learning post-certification.
• Earn formal recognition through certification and digital badges for facilitating collaborative discussion.
• Join an expanding community of practice of educators, civic professionals, and dialogue practitioners.

Certified coaches are also equipped to design and deliver their own certificate programs in collaborative discussion, expanding opportunities for others to develop these skills in their own local contexts.

We welcome applications from:

• Faculty, staff, or administrators in higher education or K12
• Staff or leadership in community-based organizations and nonprofits
• Staff or leadership in civic, cultural, or professional organizations
• Staff or leadership in workplaces and professional development units
• Student leaders on campuses or in communities

Applicants must be able to:

• Recruit and confirm a cohort of at least 10 participants committed to the full training
• Schedule their training between July 31, 2026 – August 31, 2027
• Provide appropriate training space, if in-person
• Appoint a coordinator to work with the IF team on logistics and participant support

• Alignment with IF’s mission and values
• Clarity and feasibility of the training setting
• Detailed cohort recruitment strategy
• Potential for meaningful impact and ongoing use of collaborative discussion practices

Application Process

 Please check out our events calendar where you can register for Collaborative Discussion Coach Trainings, free IF resource webinars, workshops and more!