Two levels of funding are available. Applicants will request the funding level best suited to their project. Final budgets are negotiated with the Office of Research and Innovation once awardees are determined and must follow university guidelines for expenditures. Student-led projects will require a faculty or staff team member who will provide budget oversight.
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Projects that are ready to be implemented fully can be funded for up to $25,000, which is expected to be spent over a 2–3-year period. As in the past, a sustainability plan will be needed for projects that plan to extend beyond the initial funding. One or two awards are anticipated at this level.
- For projects that need more planning or are early-stage pilot activities the upper limit is $5,000. Recipients of these one-year awards will be expected to meet with Innovation Council members during their award period for feedback and advice and will be eligible to apply for a larger award in subsequent years. Up to five smaller awards are anticipated.
Thursday, February 20, 2025, 11:59 PM
- Project ideas due, submission online portal closes
Friday, February 21, 2025, Afternoon
- Portal ideas made available to campus
- Office hours announced for Innovation Council to assist with project development
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 1-4 PM @ 707 HUB (estimated timeframe, will be finalized once ideas from the portal are submitted)
- Explorer Challenge 2.0 Innovation Sandpit Event: Opportunity for members of the campus community to share ideas, develop projects, and build teams. The event will be facilitated by the University Innovation Council.
Friday, February 28, 2025
- Templates for one-page summary and pitch deck made available
Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (location TBD)
- Explorer Challenge 2.0 Proposal Workshops to prepare for: (a) pitch and accompanying one-page summary; and (b) budget development
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 11:59 PM
- Final proposal one-pager, budget template, and pitch slide-decks (1-2 slides) due.
First week of April 2025 (date/time TBD depending on applicant availability)
- Explorer Challenge 2.0 pitches heard