Carnegie Mellon Launches Learnvia To Catalyze Student Success Nationwide

January 29, 2026

The nonprofit learning collaborative leverages a landmark $55 million investment from the Gates Foundation and CMU’s longstanding leadership in Learning Science and AI

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Carnegie Mellon University today announced Learnvia, Inc., a new nonprofit learning collaborative dedicated to improving outcomes in high-enrollment college courses with the potential to transform the academic and career trajectories of hundreds of thousands of learners nationwide. Developed in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, Learnvia is free to students and combines AI-enabled courseware, support for evidence-based instruction, and the power of learning research to strengthen student success and course outcomes at colleges and universities nationwide.

"For decades, Carnegie Mellon University has served as a global leader at the intersection of AI, research innovation and learning science. With support from the Gates Foundation, Learnvia is using this expertise to develop cutting-edge, AI-enabled courseware that is designed to improve outcomes at scale and help students across the nation not just endure gateway college courses but thrive in them.”

— Farnam Jahanian(opens in new window), President, Carnegie Mellon University

In the United States, gateway courses derail the academic progress and degree completion for approximately 30% of learners across higher education. One subject in particular — introductory mathematics — is the greatest barrier to student success in higher education, according to the Mathematical Association of America. To address this challenge, Learnvia is focused on supporting success in Calculus I and plans to expand to Quantitative Reasoning, Pre-Calculus, Calculus II and Calculus III over the next three years. These courses underpin fields critical to national priorities, and play an essential role in preparing learners for the modern workforce.

The Gates Foundation’s historic $55 million investment in Learnvia is the largest grant to a single entity in the foundation’s higher education portfolio and reflects its deep commitment to accelerating learning and innovation in American education. It follows more than 15 years of collaboration with CMU in the areas of courseware development, learning science research and STEM education.

“The Gates Foundation is investing deeply in math education and in partnerships that bring high-quality, tech-enabled tools into classrooms. In partnership with Carnegie Mellon University, our focus — ensuring all students are taught using high-quality curriculum and that teachers receive professional learning tied to that curriculum — is based on evidence of what works to improve student outcomes.”

— Allan Golston(opens in new window), President of the United States Program, Gates Foundation

The Learnvia Difference

Learnvia, a nonprofit learning collaborative affiliated with Carnegie Mellon University, combines an evidence-based approach with continuous improvement capabilities. This strategy enables educators to quickly pinpoint where students are struggling, make real-time adjustments and better support learners who might not otherwise succeed in college-level work.

The collaborative’s national network currently spans faculty at 38 institutions of higher education — from a five-campus community college in Texas, to a private university in North Carolina serving 1,300 students, to a large public research university in California with more than 46,000 students. By prioritizing partnerships with community colleges, two-year colleges and broad access four-year institutions, Learnvia is poised to realize transformative academic gains at scale.

Faculty and institutions interested in joining Learnvia or participating in the Learnvia Calculus I pilot may visit www.learnvia.org(opens in new window)

About Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon, cmu.edu, is a private, internationally ranked research university with acclaimed programs spanning the sciences, engineering, technology, business, public policy, humanities and the arts. Globally renowned for attracting top talent and driving innovation, CMU has long served as a leader and convener in learning science, AI and educational technology. This work has resulted in one of the world’s most comprehensive ecosystems for translating learning research into practical solutions — from K–12 interventions to workforce training and development.

About Learnvia

Learnvia is a learning collaborative that develops next-generation courseware that integrates lessons, homework, quizzes, a discussion forum, and an AI tutor into a single, structured digital learning environment. Learnvia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2025, led by experienced educators, researchers, and educational technologists dedicated to removing barriers to learning and accelerating student success through evidence-based innovation.

Additional Resources

• Introducing Learnvia

• Meeting the Moment: Learnvia Addresses the Need To Evolve

• Carnegie Mellon: A Leader in Learning

• A History of Learning Science at Carnegie Mellon

• Learnvia: Research-Driven Learning

• Early Praise for Learnvia

• A message from President Jahanian: Announcing Learnvia, a national learning collaborative launched by CMU and the Gates Foundation (opens in new window)

“Economic growth depends on a strong, skilled and adaptable talent pipeline. Learnvia’s integration of learning science and AI-enabled instruction strengthens how students build foundational skills at scale ... We look forward to working with Carnegie Mellon University as its long-standing leadership in learning science is translated into real benefits for broad-access institutions and the students we serve.”

— Madeline Pumariega, president, Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida

“When students learn mathematics meaningfully, they learn far more than mathematics. They learn to think effectively — to reason clearly, develop skills in creative problem-solving, and become more persistent and resilient. Effective gateway mathematics experiences can unlock thinking practices that open doors and truly transform lives.”

— Michael Starbird, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, Professor of Mathematics, The University of Texas at Austin

“The future workforce depends on helping more students succeed in foundational courses that open doors to growing careers. Higher education is one of our strongest engines for opportunity and innovation, tackling complex societal challenges while preparing students for what’s next. Learnvia is a clear example of how institutions like CMU are leading that work — translating learning science and AI into solutions that improve student outcomes at scale and strengthen the workforce.”

– Luke Skurman, CEO and founder of Niche and a CMU trustee and alumnus

“As the nation’s leading Manufacturing Innovation Institute dedicated to strengthening U.S. manufacturing through collaborative innovations in robotics, AI, and workforce development, the ARM Institute sees firsthand how foundational math skills shape opportunity. As technology expands across the economy, strong math preparation is essential for roles spanning industry, research and production. Learnvia, launched by Carnegie Mellon University, helps align education, industry and workforce goals to create stronger pathways for the talent that the manufacturing industry needs.”

— Jorgen Pedersen, CEO of ARM Institute

“Carnegie Mellon University is showing what’s possible when innovation and mission come together. The Learnvia initiative expands access to world-class math education for students in PA and across the country, helping prepare them for real careers and a stronger workforce. Education and workforce development were key to our discussions during the Energy and Innovation Summit held last summer at CMU. I am pleased to see this latest step forward and the continued innovation in education that will support stronger student outcomes and help higher education meet today’s workforce needs.”

— U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick