Academic Innovation Fund Overview

• October 4, 2024: Completed initial proposals, with PI, department head and dean signatures, are due by midnight central time
• October 7 - 25: Initial proposals under review to determine which ones will move on to submit full proposals
• Week of October 28: Programs selected to complete full proposals are notified; programs not selected are informed. Center for Academic Innovation staff (Program Administrator and Market Intelligence Analyst) are assigned to assist PIs with market research and proposal
• January 31, 2025: Final proposals are due
• March 3: PIs are informed of final funding decisions
• March 24: Funded proposals are announced in K-State Today

The proposal submission form and rubric for the FY24 funding cycle:

1. Proposal Submission Form (Fillable PDF)
2. Rubric (PDF)

Additional submission considerations:

• The Executive Summary fillable PDF, with all signatures, must be submitted to academicinnovation@ksu.edu by October 4, 2024 at midnight central time.
• For proposals to be considered complete, the signature of the PI, department head and dean are required by the submission deadline. Incomplete proposals will not be reviewed.
• Multidisciplinary proposals require the signature of all impacted departments and colleges.
• Please note, all programs and microcredentials must eventually be approved through the appropriate academic governance processes. The receipt of Academic Innovation Funds does not guarantee Faculty Senate approval.

If you are not an academic department (e.g., Beach Museum), are you eligible to submit a proposal?

Proposals may be submitted by any major academic unit at the university, which includes all colleges, K-State Olathe, K-State Salina, K-State Libraries, K-State Research and Extension, Graduate School, and the Staley School of Leadership. Other units are welcome to work in partnership with a major academic unit on a proposal submission.

What if an academic department wants to submit more than one proposal?

Academic departments may submit more than one proposal.

Is it acceptable for a faculty/staff member to be involved with more than one proposal?

If multiple opportunities come into view, it is perfectly acceptable for a faculty/staff member to be involved with more than one proposal.

What if a member of the Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) review team wants to submit a proposal?

Members of the AIF review team may submit a proposal. During the evaluation process, review team members will be excluded from reviewing a proposal for which they have been involved.

Are these proposals for academic courses?

No. We are looking for academic program submissions (e.g., microcredentials – credit and noncredit, certificates, minors, degree programs at all levels). These may meet goals or initiatives established in our strategic plan for academic innovation, etc., and the applications request how they relate to it.

Are these proposals for degree programs only, or can they be initiatives that fall within the strategic plan in general?

Yes. Proposals are to fund the development of academic programs (e.g., microcredentials – credit and noncredit, certificates, minors, degree programs at all levels). These academic programs may meet the goals of the strategic plan, and we ask how they do in the funding application. Non academic program submissions will not be considered.

Is a white paper early to department heads/dean to get a sense of support a good way to decide to propose or not?

In the ideation phase, it is recommended that communication occur early with department/college leadership to ensure overall support. The mode of this communication can vary depending on organizational preferences, but a brief white paper may be a good solution.

Are the interdisciplinary proposals required to have signatures of impacted departments and colleges?

No. We request that all departments involved in the interdisciplinary proposal and their deans sign off on interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary applications. Impact statements are part of the university program approval and routing process which is not part of this funding process.

Do these initiatives have to be online or in person or combo?

Academic Innovation Funding proposals can be for academic programs at any level and in any modality.

Is it expected the program will begin in fall 2025? Or sometime within AY 2025-26?

No. The existing program approval process remains in place for these projects, so there is no expectation that funded proposals must begin in Fall 2025 or Fall 2026. That said, we hope that with the preliminary support of faculty, departments, colleges, and administration, the pathway to the approval process will be timely.

What if I need assistance with my idea for the initial proposal?

Please email academicinnovation@ksu.edu and we will connect you with a Center for Academic Innovation Program Administrator to assist you with ideation and the initial proposal.

Can we submit our own market research?

No, we are asking that all proposals go through the university’s Market Intelligence and Analysis team so that consistent research methods may be utilized. If you have specific insights about your proposal that would be helpful for the Market Intelligence and Analysis team to know, be sure to proactively share.

When should I contact the K-State Market Intelligence and Analysis team?

If your initial proposal is given the green light to move forward for submission of a full proposal, you will be assigned a market intelligence analyst to assist you.

Is there a cost for the market research analysis?

No. The market research analysis is cost-free.

What is the turnaround time on a Market Analysis request? How long should we plan to get the results back?

The Market Intelligence and Analysis team is putting requests in a queue. They will work the requests in the order they are received. It is important to note that data availability may vary depending upon the research requested.

Is this multi-year funding?

While this funding opportunity consists of one-time funds, the funds will be available to spend over multiple years. That is, proposals can be for multi-year activity and stipulate that in the timeline and budget sections of the application.

Is there a maximum award amount?

No. We do not have a minimum or maximum award for these proposals. We may have highly innovative and impactful proposals that do not require major investment. Likewise, others may be quite costly. We are interested in bold and transformative proposals that can impact K-State learners.

How can Academic Innovation Funds be used?

Funds can be used to support work on the initiative that staff or faculty need to accomplish short term. This would include curriculum development and other related activities. They may include investments in technology, marketing, etc. Please note, these are one-time funds that should not be used for hiring permanent positions.

Is there an expectation for shared funding/support from department and/or college? Can a proposal be entirely funded through this process? Will shared funding strengthen the proposal?

Shared funding or partnerships with internal units or external stakeholders are welcome in these proposals. If there is interest and support, monetary or otherwise, for the initiative, it will strengthen the overall proposal. That said, it is not required to secure external funding or external interest to submit an academic innovation proposal.

How do you envision this process relating to the curriculum approval process? Will funding be tied to approval?

All proposals will need to go through our existing program approval, routing, and notification processes.

Funding can be used to prepare and develop programs. Any part of the funding that comes after program approval would be contingent on the program being approved by Faculty Senate and, in relevant cases, Kansas Board of Regents.

How will proposals be evaluated?

Proposals will be evaluated using the Academic Innovation Fund rubric available on the AIF website.

Are interdisciplinary proposals encouraged?

Yes. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary proposals are encouraged and welcome.

Do we need to demonstrate “novelty” in the proposed program and/or how it will take advantage of existing resources and expertise to avoid duplication of effort?

We are looking for innovative programs and proposals. However, proposed programs may utilize existing resources, including courses in related departments with related expertise. Rather than duplication of effort, we are looking for collaboration. We will not fund duplication of existing programs.

What are the metrics to be used for the market analysis? Is this to evaluate the return on investment to the university regarding new grants, new students, etc.?

The market analysis is simply one indicator of market need or opportunity within a larger context. Proposers need to consider all relevant factors around return on investment (financial and non-financial), alignment with mission/strategic plan, etc.

The Executive Review team consists of the following members:

• Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Innovation (or their designee),
• Vice Provost for Enrollment Management,
• A Deans Council Rep
• Graduate School Representative
• Faculty Senate Representative

Ex-Officio Members will be the Executive Director, Strategic Program Development & Management and Executive Director for Academic Market Strategies.

• Tanya Gonzalez, Professor of English and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Chair
• Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Innovation
• Hansin Bilgili, Assistant Professor, Department of Management, College of Business Administration
• Scott Barton, Assistant Professor, Department of Interior Architecture & Industrial Design, College of Architecture, Planning & Design
• Jennifer Bormann, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture
• Don Kurtz, Professor and Department Head, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, College of Arts and Sciences
• Mindy Markham, Professor and Department Head, Department of Applied Human Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences
• Michael Oetken, Assistant Professor, Department of Integrated Studies, College of Technology and Aviation
• Heather Woods, Associate Professor and Interim Director, A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communications, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jim Roush, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success, College of Veterinary Medicine
• Dr. George Yang, Teaching Professor of Engineering and Technology, K-State Olathe
• Jo Maseberg-Tomlinson, Executive Director for Strategic Program Development and Management - ex officio member
• George Widenor, Executive Director for Strategic Growth and Analysis - ex officio member