Academic Innovation Fund Overview

• October 1, 2025: Completed initial proposals, with PI, department head and dean signatures, are due by midnight central time
• October 2 - 24: Initial proposals under review to determine which ones will move on to submit full proposals
• Week of October 27: 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 30, 2026: Final proposals are due
• March 2: PIs are informed of final funding decisions

The proposal submission form and rubric for the FY26 funding cycle are available now.

Additional submission considerations:

• The submission form, with all signatures, must be submitted by October 1, 2025 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 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, 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 microcredentials – credit and noncredit.

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

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

Is it expected the program will begin in fall 2026?

No. The existing program approval process remains in place for these projects, so there is no expectation that funded proposals must begin in Fall 2026. That said, groups that are funded in the AY2026 cycle are required to have their approved microcredentials up and running no later than Spring 2028.

Who do I work with on 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.

How do you envision this process relating to the curriculum approval process?

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

Can we submit our own market research?

No. All programs selected to move forward after the executive review will be asked to 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 a two-year period of time.

Is there a certain award amount?

Funding Levels for Microcredentials

• Noncredit microcredentials: Eligible for a $5,000 award.
• Credit microcredentials (combining existing courses): Eligible for a $5,000 award.
• Credit microcredentials (developing new courses): Eligible for $5,000 per new course developed (e.g., $15,000 for three new courses). The maximum award is based on the number of new courses proposed. Packaging existing courses with new courses will only be funded at the per-course rate for newly developed courses.

All credit microcredentials must include a culminating experience (e.g., portfolio, applied project, reflective essay) that demonstrates synthesis of learning. Preference will be given to microcredentials that align with a documented workforce or market-need and/or a corporate/industry collaboration.

Additionally, marketing funds will be provided. Marketing funds will be used based on the marketing plan created with the proposers, DCM, and Enrollment Management upon approval of the microcredential.

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, including course development, current faculty course release or add-pay, and marketing.

What does AIF not fund?

• Equipment, books, supplies, or technologies related to one-time startup costs
  • We can connect you with a variety of existing resources to support your needs.
• New personnel salaries
• Graduate Assistant wages or similar personnel costs
• Food and catering expenses
• Travel costs
• Program proposals that do not align with university-approved platforms (e.g., non-Canvas LMS tools)

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.

Will I be expected to share how the money was used?

Yes. There will be a quarterly report that is filled out that addresses (a) progress made towards goals stated, and (b) expenditures, including how the funds were spent.

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 the K-State Opportunity Agenda, NextGen strategic plan, and K-State's mission..

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.

The review team will be announced shortly and will include representatives from each college/academic unit.

• Margaret Mohr-Schroeder, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Innovation - ex officio member
• 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