Academic Innovation Fund (AIF) FAQs

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 review team wants to submit a proposal?

Members of the 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.

Do these proposals need to be only for creating courses? Or can they be initiatives that fall within the strategic plan in general?

We are looking for academic program submissions (e.g., microcredentials – credit and noncredit, certificates, minors, degree programs at all levels). These will likely meet goals or initiatives established in our strategic plan for academic innovation, etc., and the applications request how they relate to it.

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.

The AIF website notes that interdisciplinary proposals are required to have signatures of impacted departments and colleges. Might this requirement actually stifle innovation, especially when ideas are proposed that challenge the status quo of our college “territories”?

We request that all participating departments and their deans sign off on interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary applications.

Do these initiatives have to be online or in person or combo? Or are online initiatives required to go through Global Campus and are not eligible for the AIF?

Academic Innovation Funding proposals can be for academic programs at any level and in any modality. This is a university-wide initiative for all kinds and types of academic program proposals.

Is it expected the program will begin in fall 2024? Or sometime within AY 2024-25?

The existing program approval process remains in place for these projects, so there is no expectation that funded proposals must begin in Fall 2024 or Fall 2025. That said, we hope that with the preliminary support of faculty, departments, colleges, and administration, the pathway to the approval process will be timely.

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 reserach 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?

We recommend getting in the queue with the Market Intelligence and Analysis team as soon as you are ready. For more information about submitting a request: https://global.k-state.edu/market-research/

Is there a cost for the market research analysis?

There is no cost for the market research analysis.

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.

All requests will be responded to in advance of the submission deadline. However, requests received after February 16th will not be guaranteed, but every effort will be made to provide a report.

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?

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?

These are one-time funds that should not be used for hiring permanent positions. 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.

Is there an expectation for shared funding/support from department or college as well, or can entirety be 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 processes (link to ARN and other websites.)

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.

Could you comment on the review rubric criteria? Are they weighted or all equal?

While each of the criteria are weighted equally, they are listed in priority order. As noted, this call for proposals is focused on bold and transformational proposals.

Are interdisciplinary proposals encouraged?

Yes. Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary proposals are encouraged and welcome.

One potential negative outcome of this program might be further duplication of effort on campus (e.g., development of new credentials or courses that are materially similar to those already being offered…or were offered regularly until faculty left and weren’t replaced). It might be helpful to include in the rubric or proposal a requirement to demonstrate “novelty” in the proposed program and/or how it will take advantage of existing resources and expertise.

We are looking for innovative programs and proposals here. If proposals utilize existing resources, including courses that overlap with other programs, that is fine. Rather than duplication of effort, we are looking for utilization of existing resources / effort. We are not seeking to 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 with respect to new grants, new students, etc.?

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