Innovation Funding
Call for Proposals
Purpose of Funding
Minnesota State seeks to support student, faculty, and staff innovation that shows great potential for improving teaching, learning, and access for students across its 37 colleges and universities.
Funded projects will aim to address obstacles to student success by using existing technologies, resources, or practices in innovative ways. Priority will be given to innovations that align with the strategic goals of Minnesota State and explicitly address the success of our students, our commitment to diversity and equity, and the financial sustainability of our colleges and universities.
Design
Interested persons or teams are invited to choose a funding track. Proposers must apply to a single track only. Projects submitted to multiple tracks will not be considered.
Track 1: Innovation Pitches (Shark Tank)
Individuals or teams of student, staff, and faculty innovators submit an Intention to Pitch (ItP) an innovation. Those selected are invited to compete for funding by pitching their innovative practice or process to an “investor panel” (Minnesota State educators, legislators, business and non-profit community members). In preparation for the pitch, those selected from the ItP submissions complete a Pitch Documentation packet for the panel to review in advance and are offered a presentation coach to help them prepare for the pitch.
Innovators selected by the investor panel will use the funding to implement (or refine) and evaluate their innovations. In addition, Innovation Mentors will be assigned, as needed, to help innovators with the development and evaluation measures. Progress is reported at a summit in July 2018 and outcomes are shared in various ways, including an Innovators Showcase in April 2019.
Previously funded projects included advancements in the areas of technical training, mobile technology, open education and textbooks, and more.
Funding up to $25,000 is available to individual innovators or teams.
Track 2: Small Innovation / Sustainability Proposals
Individuals or teams of student, staff, and faculty innovators may submit a proposal for awards up to $10,000. This funding may:
- Help create a new innovative pilot program on a campus;
- Enhance an existing innovative campus program;
- Contribute to the sustainability of a previously funded project through Educational Innovations (Shark Tank or Open Textbook).
Grant recipients will be determined based on the merits of each proposal. Awards will be announced at the annual Educational Innovations Event on April 12, 2018.
Funding up to $10,000 is available to individual innovators or teams.
Eligibility
All students, faculty, and staff who are currently enrolled in or employed by a Minnesota State institution are eligible to submit a proposal to either track. Students who apply for funding must have a faculty or staff sponsor.
Timeline and Process
January22, 2018Innovation proposals due (both Track 1 and Track 2)
February22, 2018Selected Track 1 proposers are invited to pitch their innovation in April and prepare a pitch documentation packet including a detailed budget sheet
Selected Track 2 proposers are invited to submit a detailed budget sheet
March 16, 2018Pitch Documentation packets are due / pitch presentation coaches are assigned
Track 2 proposers are notified of outcomes
April 12, 2018Presenters pitch innovations to an “investor” panel;
Campus Academic Technology Team (CATT) members are invited to attend presentations and offer audience reaction to the innovations;
Track 2 awards are formally announced
May 11, 2018Track 1 Innovation Funding recipients are notified and receive feedback from the investor panel
June1, 2018Innovation Mentors are assigned to assist Track 2 innovators in development and evaluation
July 27, 2018Track 2 Innovators offer progress report and receive feedback at a July Summit
August 24, 2018Innovations implemented with evaluation measures embedded
February, 2019Innovators present outcomes at ASA Technology Council meeting
April, 2019Innovators present at showcase event
Track 1 and Track 2Application Instructions
Complete the request for proposal application attached.
- The submitting college/university must agree to be the fiscal agent for the grant.
- Proposers must answer the Intention to Pitch questions, which provide a snapshot of the innovation you would pitch. Include supplemental information, if necessary to understand your intent.
- Student proposals must have a Minnesota State faculty or staff member sponsor. Student proposals that do not have a sponsor will not be considered.
- Acquire the approval and signature of the appropriate campus administrator at the submitting college/university to complete the statement of understanding and assurance verification. A team may have representatives from multiple colleges and universities, but one must verify the information and agree to be the fiscal agent should funds be awarded.
- Email the proposal applications to Stephen Kelly, Open Education and Innovations Program Coordinator, . Proposers are asked to carbon copy LaShawnda Ford, Administrative Assistant to the Senior System Director of Educational Innovations, on their submissions as well at . Proposals should be sent as a PDF or Word document by January 22, 2018 at 4:00 PM.
For questions and additional information, contact Stephen Kelly, Open Education and Innovations Program Coordinator, r by phone at 651-201-1813.
Innovation Funding Application
Intent to Pitch InnovationProject Title:Click or tap here to enter text.
Name of Contact Person:
Click or tap here to enter text. / Email:Click or tap here to enter text.
Phone:Click or tap here to enter text.
College or University Name:
Click or tap here to enter text. / College/University Address:
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Names & College/University of Collaborators (if Team Proposal):
Click or tap here to enter text. / Collaborator Email:Click or tap here to enter text.
Collaborator Phone:Click or tap here to enter text.
Is this a Track 1 or Track 2 application? ☐ / Track 1 / ☐ / Track 2*
* Track 2 proposers will not be asked to pitch to an investor panel
Statement of Understanding/Assurance VerificationVerification I have thoroughly reviewed the information included with this proposal and have submitted the appropriate documents required as a part of the proposal process. I understand that if my proposal is invited to pitch this idea and receives funding, my college/university is responsible to be the fiscal agent of the grant. My signature below certifies that the information provided accurately describes the proposal and the commitment of my institution.
Minnesota State Administrator Signature:
Minnesota State Administrator’s Name and Title (printed):
Click or tap here to enter text. / Date:
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Innovation Funding Grant Application Questions
- Project Title: [This title will be used to identify your project in event and awards documentation]
10%
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- What is the innovation you hope to develop, adapt, expand, or sustain? Provide a detailed description of this innovation. (suggested length: one to two pages)
25%
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- Who will benefit from this innovation? How will they benefit? (suggested length: one paragraph)
10%
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- What problem, challenge, or obstacle will this innovation address? (suggested length: one paragraph)
10%
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- How does this innovation align with the mission of Minnesota State? Specifically, how does it address thea)success of our students, b)our commitment to diversity and equity, and/or c)the financial sustainability of our colleges and universities? (suggested length: half page)
25%
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- How will you know if your innovation has been successful? Please identify 2-4 measurable indicators of success and phrase them as “we will” statements. (suggested length: half page)
5%
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- If this innovation proves successful, what would be required to sustain it? What do you currently have in place to help sustain it? (suggested length: one paragraph)
5%
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- What specifically will the funding support? Use the attached provisional budget worksheet to detail funded items. (i.e. materials, employee compensation, contractors, etc.) (suggested length: one paragraph)
10%
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- In one sentence, express what makes your intended project innovative?
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* Reviewers and panelists will use the weighted percentages aboveto assist in the evaluation process.
Provisional Budget Worksheet*
Budget Item / Description Detail / BudgetWages / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Consultants / Contractors / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Purchased Services / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Travel / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Supplies and Materials / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Equipment / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Other** / Click or tap here to enter text. / $Click or tap here to enter text.
Total / $Click or tap here to enter text.
* This budget sheet should provide general guidance on how you intend to allocate grant money toward your project. If your project is chosen for funding you will be asked to provide a more detailed breakdown of salary / fringe, contractor rates, etc.
** Add additional line items as “other” if necessary.
Educational InnovationsDecember 2017
Academic and Student Affairs
Innovation Funding Grants
Minnesota State is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator