Empowering Creative Solutions and Transformative Ideas
At Baker College, we believe that innovation is the key to unlocking new possibilities and driving progress within our institution and the communities we serve. The Baker Innovation Grant Program is designed to empower staff, faculty, and students to pursue innovative projects, explore emerging trends, develop new business ideas, and seek out cutting-edge teaching methodologies and technologies.
Whether you’re looking to develop a new research project, start a business, implement a creative solution to a pressing challenge, or explore novel approaches to teaching and learning, the Innovation Grant Program can help bring your vision to life.
Steps to Apply
Identify Your Dream
Identify a specific challenge or need within your community that, given the necessary support, could become an opportunity for growth and positive change. Think of ways you can use your unique knowledge and experiences to help facilitate this change, and what resources, financial or otherwise, you might need to be successful.
Gather Information
Review the criteria for funding and other Frequently Asked Questions below.
Prepare a detailed budget to include with your application that explains how the requested funds will be allocated.
Note metrics you can use if funded to measure the impact of your project and whether or not it’s successful.
Though not required, applicants are encouraged to have conversations with their supervisor before composing their application.
Submit Your Application
Proposals will be reviewed for innovation, feasibility, and potential impact, in addition to how well they meet the criteria for funding.
After review of your Baker College Innovative Grant proposal, you may be asked to present your ideas in greater detail at a President’s Leadership Cabinet (PLC) or President’s Council (PC) meeting or other Baker College events.
Frequently Asked Questions
We invite applications from Baker College faculty, staff, and current students.
No, proposals can be submitted anytime and will be reviewed and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Criteria for Funding
Proposals will be reviewed for innovation, feasibility, and potential impact, in addition to how well they meet the criteria below.
- Innovative Approach: The proposed project should demonstrate a novel and creative approach to addressing a specific challenge or opportunity within the College or Community.
- Alignment with BC Goals: Ensure that the proposed innovation aligns with the strategic priorities and mission of the College.
- Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Approach: Encourage projects that foster collaboration across departments or disciplines, promoting a culture of interdisciplinary exchange and innovation.
- Sustainability: Consider the sustainability of the proposed project beyond the grant period for long-term viability and scalability.
- Unique Approach: The project should allow the faculty, staff, and/or students to pursue a venture or project that is new to Baker College.
- Singular Focus: The proposal should focus on one singular project, rather than on several projects, each with multiple components and objectives.
- Measurable Impact: Funded projects must include a plan for evaluation to assess the impact of the project and return on investment for the College. Successful proposals will be assigned a data analyst to aid in mentoring data collection and evaluation for assessment of the project.
After review of your Baker College Innovative Grant proposal, you may be asked to present your ideas in greater detail at a President’s Leadership Cabinet (PLC) or President’s Council (PC) meeting or other Baker College events.
Successful applicants will be notified and awarded funding. Unsuccessful proposals will receive feedback for potential improvement and can be re-submitted at a later date.
Accepted grant proposals will be required to submit progress and metric reports regularly, or as determined in the proposal.
Implement Your Project
Grant recipients will begin implementing their projects, utilizing allocated funds and resources to execute their proposed initiatives. Grant recipients will receive a Baker College “sponsor” who monitors the progress of grant-funded projects and offers assistance or guidance as needed.
Provide Regular Progress Reports
Grant recipients will be required to provide quarterly updates to Baker College. Dates will be dependent on when the proposal is approved.
Present Your Findings
Grant recipients will present findings at a predetermined meeting with Baker College. They will also work with their project sponsor to determine other potential avenues to share the project outcome, such as Baker College’s Faculty Conference, external conferences, department meetings, and so forth.
Contact Us
For questions or additional information, please contact [email protected].
Join us in driving innovation at Baker College. We look forward to supporting your creative endeavors and seeing the transformative impact of your work.