TheÌýDean’s Innovation Fund was created in late 2022 with the goal of funding new ideas and innovations for the college.

Faculty and staff may apply for these funds individually or in teams. The purpose is to support the incubation of new ideas so that the concept of the idea may be adequately demonstrated, enabling long-term funding to be sought. Projects that span multiple departments, centers and/or divisions are particularly desired. College of Arts and Sciences partner funding for cross-college collaborations is also welcomed.

All project proposals should have an inclusive approach and relate to the college’s broad goals of:

  • student access and success
  • faculty and staff impact in research/creative activity, teaching and student support
  • community engagement

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a key facet of each of these areas.

While not an exclusive list, the following topical areas are of special interest for FY24:

  • justice, equity, diversity and inclusion efforts that seek to improve student, staff and faculty
  • access to and/or retention in the college
  • improving first-year student retention to second year
  • fostering innovation in introductory and GenEd classes
  • developing new online certificates and programs
  • spawning new cross-disciplinary research projects
  • developing and retaining faculty and staff
  • linking the College of Arts and Sciences more strongly with the local community
  • fresh thinking about how the college might reduce its carbon footprint

Applications are due Nov. 6 via email attachment sent to Rebecca.Davis-1@colorado.edu.ÌýTo be considered, applications should be no more than three pages, at least 12-point font and include:

  • project abstract (<150 words)
  • project summary
  • project budget

Awardee progress reports
Awardees, click here to submit six-month progress report
Awardees, click here to submit 12-month progress report

Criteria for approval will include:

  • originality
  • the clarity of the proposal and project
  • the generalizability of the project to multiple departments and/or divisions
  • for team proposals, the heterogeneity of the project proposers
  • the degree to which the project focuses on a factor or variable and argues for how the project advances it

The review committee will be chaired by the dean and include faculty and staff members with broad institutional memories of CU Boulder. Approved projects must be completed—meaning the funds spent—within 12 months of project approval. Brief grant reports are expected at the six-month and 12-month marks.

Projects receiving 2023 funding:

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Coverage of previous award cycles in Colorado Arts & Sciences Magazine:

Dean’s Innovation Fund awards $317,896 in grants

Awards recognize innovation in research, education and inclusivity