Call for Proposals 2025-2026

Innovation & Improvement Grants fund ideas that enhance instruction, improve student outcomes, and strengthen Weber State University's overall effectiveness. These one-time awards will have clear metrics, with funding spent by May 15, 2026, and projects ending by June 30, 2026. Proposals are due Oct. 20, 2025.

Program Purpose

This program will support the many forms that innovation takes at Weber State by creating a path for faculty and staff to submit ideas and seek one-time funding to support the development of new initiatives or the improvement of existing programs. These grants will identify and lower the barriers to individual and collective innovation on our campuses while refining the direction of and jumpstarting progress on our new strategic plan.

Program Budget

The university recently received legislative approval for our HB 265 reallocation plans, which includes several new faculty positions. Because of the timing of the approval in relation to typical faculty hiring cycles, we will have one-time funds this fiscal year that can be reinvested in initiatives that advance the institution’s evolving strategic priorities. We have approximately $2.25 million available for this program.

Funding Scope

• The size of the awards will be scaled to the individual proposal, but individual proposals can be up to $200,000.
• Funds must be spent by May 1, 2026.
• The funded work must either conclude by June 30, 2026, or there must be a clear plan for how the work is financially sustainable without additional funding.
• Funding cannot be used for ongoing salary commitments beyond the project period.
• Travel is the lowest funding priority and will be considered only when essential to achieving the core objectives.

Proposal Eligibility

Proposals are welcome from all full-time faculty and staff. Collaboration is encouraged across departments, colleges, and divisions in this work.

Proposal Tracks

Proposal tracks align with the five pillars the Weber State community will develop in our new strategic plan:

Access

Weber brings the opportunities provided by higher education into reach for learners of all backgrounds.

Proposals supporting this pillar might include (but are not limited to) the development of online classes; the translation of face-to-face programs to an online environment; expanding bilingual class and program offerings and marketing materials; expanding summer bridge programming; developing new programming in area public schools to help more students see themselves in college; prior learning credit expansion; mobile FAFSA and/or admissions teams; and strengthening partnerships with area technical colleges.

Learning

Weber State emphasizes personalized, high-impact educational experiences that prepare students for careers and lives of purpose.

Proposals supporting this pillar might include (but are not limited to) the development of high-impact educational practices including course based undergraduate research opportunities; analysis of performance gaps and strategies to address them; curricular revision; development of open educational resources; expansion of AI initiatives or learning resources; development of stackable credentials; and the exploration of how emerging technologies might support student success.

Community

Weber State works collaboratively with local partners to promote economic prosperity, enhance cultural vitality, and support the well-being of the region it serves while expanding the learning experiences of our students.

Proposals supporting this pillar might include (but are not limited to) creative placemaking initiatives in Ogden and in neighboring communities; the expansion of programming and services beyond our main campus sites; developing workforce partnerships such as with Hill Air Force Base; developing partnerships with elementary schools; the development of courses and credentials that emphasize community-engaged practices across disciplines; the development of programs that solve problems in partnership with underserved communities; the cultivation of partnerships in local communities that might generate new student opportunities and advance social good.

Completion and Post-Graduate Success

Weber State is committed to helping students complete credentials of value and to ensuring that they thrive personally and professionally after they graduate.

Proposals supporting this pillar might include (but are not limited to) career readiness initiatives; including the development of new sub-120 degrees; opportunities to explore 4+1 and other accelerated graduate credentials; reenrollment outreach to students who previously stopped out of the institutions; developing degree maps with guaranteed schedules for associates and 
bachelor’s programs; revision of course work to emphasize NACE competencies; and the development of co-op programming; and the development of support for work-based learning.

Weber State Family Experience

Weber State students won’t succeed if the people who work here aren’t flourishing.

Proposals supporting this pillar might include (but are not limited to) the development of faculty and staff interest groups; the generation of leadership or professional development programming; programming that helps faculty and staff prioritize meaningful service; and onboarding redesign or cohort creation for new employees; well being initiatives; supervisor resource development; development of ways to foster innovation and fun; the creation of initiatives that help faculty and staff feel recognized for the excellent work they do.

Application Components

Grant applications have a project and budget narrative. Please limit each narrative to approximately two pages.

Project narrative

1. What is your idea/project?
2. Who is involved in your project?
3. What problem or opportunity is being addressed by your idea/project?
4. How does the project align with one of the five strategic pillars?
5. How will you measure the success or impact of your project?
6. Why is this the right time to launch your project, or in what ways is it timely?
7. How will you document your work and share your results?
8. What is your project timeline or benchmarks?

Budget narrative

1. What expenses are associated with your project?
2. How would you prioritize the expenses you’re proposing, and please explain your ranking.
3. Who will help you manage your budget and expenditures? (Please include compensation for staff in your budget if you will require assistance.)
4. How will the investments of funds lead to your project’s success?
5. Can you complete your project within your project period, or how can your project be sustained without additional funding?
6. Are there non-financial kinds of support that you need for your project to succeed?
7. Does your project have the potential to generate revenue in the future?

Review Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on their:

• Alignment with the university priorities and the five pillars.
• Feasibility and clarity of goals and plans.
• Potential for measurable student or institutional impact.
• Cost effectiveness and scalability.
• Clear metrics and a credible sustainability plan.

Reporting

Funded projects will submit a brief report on progress, outcomes, and lessons learned by May 15, 2026 to inform future work.

Timeline

• Sept. 16, 2025: Call for proposals announcement
• Oct. 20, 2025: Full proposals due
• Nov. 5, 2025: Proposal review at President’s Council
• Nov. 12, 2025: Funding decisions will be released