Innovation Grant Program

Innovation Grant Program

Funder: National University System

Overview: The National University System launched an Innovation Grant Program that encourages faculty and staff to develop innovative strategies and approaches to support exceptional student experience and student success.

Program Details

• Status: Active (launched September 2016)
• Geographic Scope: National University System network (includes National University, John F. Kennedy University, and City University of Seattle)
• Focus Areas:
- Mentorship projects - Veteran student support - Classroom design and learning improvements - Technology-enhanced learning - Student success initiatives - Professional development

Eligibility

• Required: Project lead must be a full-time faculty or staff member
• Encouraged: Employee engagement at all levels, student and alumni involvement, cross-system collaboration

Example Award Projects

• Active Learning Classroom: Partnership with Steelcase Education to create ergonomic, contemporary learning environments
• ACCELERATE: Program promoting academic success among Veteran students during transition to civilian life; includes events, family involvement, and military cultural competency training
• Center for Advanced Technology: Multi-affiliate initiative engaging university students and alumni as mentors for high school students in STEM fields
• Professional Development for Lifelong Success: Workshops co-facilitated by faculty and alumni covering leadership, team building, communication management

Strategic Alignment

• Aligns with National University System's 2020 Strategic Plan
• Core value: Innovation
• Builds on National University's founding principles (established 1971) of serving adult learners through innovative formats

Contact Information

Office of Strategy and Innovation Email: [email protected]

Administration

• Led by: Office of Strategy and Innovation
• Full support from: Board of Trustees, Office of the Chancellor, Affiliate Presidents
• Vice Chancellor of Strategy and Innovation: Dr. Mario Martinez
• Chancellor: Dr. Michael R. Cunningham

Application Process

Application Requirements:

Project lead must be a full-time faculty or staff member

Formal proposal submission required

Proposals evaluated through rigorous evaluation process

Project Development:

Selected awardees gather for official project development kickoff

Encouragement for cross-system collaboration and engagement with students and alumni

Focus on scalable, best-practice approaches

Note: The extracted content does not provide detailed step-by-step application procedures, required materials list, narrative questions, or specific submission format. Contact the Office of Strategy and Innovation for detailed application instructions.