Strategic Innovation Fund FAQs

Projects that can be funded by the Strategic Innovation Funds include developing new interdisciplinary research clusters, forming partnerships between industry and community, supporting undergraduate and graduate student recruitment and retention, funding ideas that will help SU operate more efficiently or effectively, or other potentially high impact ideas that need seed funding to be tested or developed. Projects are expected to advance one or more of the goals of the SU Strategic Plan and the Salisbury Seven Initiatives. Innovation can include adaptation of existing strategies to support SU in creative ways, as well as the development of new ideas. Projects that are interdisciplinary and have the potential for community partnership or impact are encouraged. All campus community members (students, faculty and staff) are eligible to apply.

Some projects may result in new revenue streams or savings for the University, providing funding for future projects, but this is not a requirement.

The Strategic Innovation Council will use a rubric to evaluate all proposals. The proposals will be evaluated based on their potential impact on the Strategic Plan, their level of innovation and their potential for success. The impact on Salisbury University, as well as the broader community, will also be considered. The development of community partnerships and interdisciplinary projects are encouraged, but other ideas are also welcome.

The quality of how a project moves the plan forward will be more important than how many themes it touches – some projects may cross multiple themes in the Strategic Plan, but there will be no particular advantage to doing so.

Project budgets should be based on the project needs. Final budget allocations will be determined based on the quality of the final proposals and funds availability.

Projects require a current Salisbury University student, faculty or staff member as the lead, but partnerships are encouraged. Student-led projects require a faculty or staff co-sponsor.

We are encouraging students who are graduating or others who anticipate not being at SU next fall to join or create teams that have someone who will still be at SU. Alumni and other community partners can participate in projects, but a member of the SU community needs to take the lead role.

Many excellent proposals will be submitted, but we are not able to fund them all. Please consider submitting again.