Innovation Grants

$45,000 has been allocated for the FY24 program, which is designed to provide incentives for Sandburg faculty and staff to launch new and innovative efforts rather than supporting maintenance of ongoing efforts. Projects should be larger, as this a once-a-year opportunity aimed for strategic opportunities intended to impact departmental and student success. 

Concepts to Consider when Applying:

  • Will my proposal impact student success and align with the College's Mission, Core Values, Vision, Strategic Plan and Departmental Goals? 
  • Will this proposal benefit recruitment, retention and student success?
  • How will this submittal address a current need or solve a problem?
  • How will this create a change in the culture?
  • Can this initiative be implemented quickly, have a high and long-term impact, and be low-cost?
  • What could make this project sustainable? 

Requirements: 

  • Submission: Sandburg administration, staff, faculty and instructional departments may submit applications for consideration. Applications must have the approval of both the dean/associate dean of the department and/or director and corresponding vice president or president. 
  • Strategy: Please align your grant opportunity with an element of the strategic plan and/or your departmental goals. These grants are intended to assist in future planning and innovative opportunities for expansion of programs and campus opportunities to enhance recruitment, retention and student success.
  • Applications should identify metrics that will gauge the proposal's ability to meet or exceed Sandburg's Institutional Level Key Performance Indicators. 
  • Areas Not Funded: Recurring expenses/memberships/subscriptions, travel expenses, political/lobbying activities, food/refreshments, clothing or instructors' salaries. If funding can be secured through institutional funding and/or Perkins dollars, the request will be denied. 

 

Apply for Innovation Grants 

Timeline: 

  • Early December: A project recap survey for FY23 recipients will be emailed directly to FY23 recipients via JotForm.
  • Friday, December 22, 2023, by 5:00 p.m.: Deadline for FY23 recipients to submit the project recap survey. 
  • Thursday, January 18, 2024: Informational Webinar on FY24 program cycle will be hosted. 
  • Friday, February 2: FY24 Applications must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. Central Time, no exceptions. 
  • Week of February 5: Applications will be reviewed by the Sandburg Foundation Innovations Grant Committee.
  • Week of February 12: Project presentations, date to be determined. 
    • Location: Main Campus, Room E-200, Board Room and via Zoom
    • If there is inclement weather, the presentations will likely be via Zoom.
  • Mid-February: Applicants will be notified and funds transferred to the designated Carl Sandburg College budget account number provided by the recipient and/or supervisor. 
  • Monday, June 2: If awarded, items should be received and/or expenditures made by this date. 

 

Questions: 

Contact Eric Johnson, chief advancement officer, at ebjohnson@sandburg.edu or 309.341.5349.