President’s Innovation Fund

For the 2025-2026 academic year, faculty members will be eligible to receive grant funding for proposals that support pillar 1 of the strategic plan, Academic Excellence & Innovation. Grants awarded will support proposals that drive advancements in curriculum and pedagogical approaches in the following focus areas:

1. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR):
   • Development of courses integrating cutting-edge technologies.
   • Creation of immersive learning experiences or research projects using AR/VR.
2. Adult Education:
   • Development of courses and curriculum focused on meeting the needs of non-traditional students and adult learners, with a particular focus on flexible delivery models (e.g., online, hybrid, modular).
3. New Program Development:
   • Development of academic programs that address emerging fields or workforce demands.
   • Development of interdisciplinary academic programs, leveraging multiple disciplinary perspectives.
   • Development of courses and curriculum focused on justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion issues, with a particular focus on addressing the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, staff members will be eligible to receive grant funding for proposals that support pillar 2 of the strategic plan, Student Success & Engagement. Grants awarded will support initiatives that provide high-impact experiences that enhance student engagement, belonging, and retention, with a preference for proposals in the focus areas outlined below.
 

• Mentorship Programs:
  • Initiatives that leverage mentorship to foster academic and personal development of students.

• Student Scholarship and Research:

  • Funding for students to present research, papers or projects at academic and professional conferences.

• Leadership Development:

  • Initiatives aimed at cultivating leadership skills in students through applied learning pedagogies.

• Civility and Civic Engagement:

  • Initiatives that promote civility, civic engagement, and community building, with a particular focus on intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

Full-time Canisius faculty and staff are eligible to submit proposals for grant funding from the PIF. The applicant must also serve as the project lead if funding is awarded. Individuals may participate in multiple proposals per award cycle but can lead only one project.

Proposals must be submitted by May 1. Decisions will be made by May 31. Grant funding will be dispersed beginning on September 1.

Proposals must be submitted via the Google Form and include: 

• Cover Page
• Proposal Narrative*
• Letter of support from the project lead’s supervisor, or Dean, or Vice President (only one letter necessary)

• Estimated Budget*

  _{* See below for more details}

Faculty Google Form

Staff Google Form

Optional: 

• Letter(s) of collaboration from project co-participants
• Other funding sources besides the PIF

The budget should include:

• Overall estimated expenses
• Estimated line item expenses
• A brief narrative explaining each budget item 
• Eligible expenses may include, but are not limited to: travel, supplies, equipment, and data collection support. Funds must be used within the allocated year unless special extensions are approved.

The proposal narrative should not exceed three pages and must include:
 

• Project Title
• Project Description: What is the challenge/issue being addressed? How will the project address the challenge/issue identified? What is the potential impact of the project? What evidence/data supports the identification of challenge/issue and the potential of the project to address the challenge/issue identified? What makes the project innovative? What are the risks to the project’s success and how will those risks be mitigated? What additional institutional support, e.g., equipment, physical resources, is needed for the project to succeed?
• Relation to Strategic Plan: Which strategic plan goal(s) is/are addressed by the project? Explain how the project relates to identified strategic plan goal(s)?
• Key Objectives & Measurable Outcomes: What are the project’s key objectives, measurable outcomes and success criteria? Provide a timeline of proposed project activities. Describe how the project has potential to support revenue generation, if applicable.
• Suitability for PIF: Why is the project suitable for funding from the PIF?

All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated based on the criteria listed below. Selected proposals may require presentations to the Senior Leadership Team for further discussion.

1. Alignment with the strategic plan
2. Potential impact on university revenue over the next three years
3. Demonstrated collaboration with campus partners
4. Requested level of resources
5. Likelihood of successful completion

Proposals not recommended for funding will receive a written proposal evaluation and may choose to revise and resubmit the proposal in the future.

Annual reports are required within 30 days after each funding year. Supplemental information will be provided in advance of the deadline, but reports will be required to detail objectives, outcomes, expenditures, and progress. Reports are to be submitted to the Office of the President for review, and continued funding may depend on project viability and progress.

1. Am I able to submit a personnel request through the President’s Innovation Fund?
   
   No, proposals for the President’s Innovation Fund may not be for additional faculty or staff members. These requests must go through the annual operational budget process.
   
   
2. I have an idea, but I would like some clarification on alignment with the strategic plan. Who can I ask for help?
   
   Members of the Senior Leadership Team are conversation partners to work through proposals and planning. You may reach out to any member of the Senior Leadership Team to work with you to make your proposals most effective.
   
   
3. I’ve created my proposal, but I need some data to strengthen my proposal. Who do I ask?
   
   The following campus partners are prepared to assist with data inquiries:

            Danielle Ianni: Enrollment & Marketing

            Ron Haberer: Financial & Budgeting

            Lauren Young: Institutional Research

            Lisa Seely: Classroom capacities and utilization

4. May I request furniture or upgrades/improvements to physical spaces on campus? 
   
   No, proposals for the President’s Innovation Fund may not include capital requests. These requests must also go through the annual operational budget process.