Canvas: Requesting Canvas Access Tokens for Third-Party Applications

Environment

Canvas 

Issue

Requirements and process to request Canvas API (Application Programming Interface) token access to connect an external third-party app to Canvas.

Resolution

Requesting Canvas API token access to connect an external third-party application, requires faculty sponsorship and a security, data privacy, and accessibility review.

What is a Canvas API Access Token?

• A Canvas API Access Token is a digital key that lets an application connect to Canvas and access assignments, grades, and other course data.
• API tokens act like your username and password, they grant full access to sensitive information in your Canvas account and should be handled with care.

Why is Faculty Sponsorship Required?

• Due to the privacy and security risks associated with API tokens, a faculty member must verify and explain why your request is academically justified. Faculty sponsorship assists in protecting your data and ensures that tokens are used only for approved academic or research purposes.

API Token Access Requirements

1. Faculty sponsorship
2. Security, data privacy, and accessibility review

Approval Process

1. Find a faculty sponsor
   1. Contact a faculty member who can sponsor your request.  They will need to provide an explanation of how you plan to use the API token to support your academic or research work.
2. Submit the Request Form
   1. Complete the ITS-Canvas API Token Request  form. Be sure to include.
   2. The name and email of your faculty sponsor.
   3. An explanation from the faculty member outlining the academic purpose for the access token.
3. Security & Accessibility Review
   1. Once your submission is received, ITS will review the third-party app to ensure it meets U-M’s standards for security, data privacy, and accessibility.
4. Notification
   1. Once the review is complete, you will be notified of the outcome, and any next steps.

Additional Information

• Check out the new Academic Technology@Michigan website for course planning resources from across U-M.
• Visit the Canvas @ Michigan site for faculty including the U-M Instructor Guide with links to additional support resources from across campus.
• Check out the Canvas and MiVideo tutorials.

For additional questions, please contact the ITS Service Center.