Mission Innovation Grant

Proposals shall not exceed 7 pages (exclusive of signatory page and references) and address the following requirements:

• Title of the project / plan.
  The title should be descriptive of the proposal so readers can immediately have an idea of what the project pertains to.
• Team members.
  The principal contact person must be officially affiliated with Creighton University in the role of faculty, staff or student. Include the name, affiliation (department, major), Net ID and role (faculty, staff or student) of additional team members contributing to the proposal.
• Project summary. 
  Provide a brief overview statement (2-3 sentences) that will be utilized in promotional material including the final announcement of approved projects. It will be helpful to include answers to some or all of the following questions in this summary:
  • What concern, issue or problem is being addressed?
  • What are your goals and methods?
  • What activities will address your goals?
  • How will the project nurture global citizenship and reflect Creighton University’s mission?
  • Who will benefit: how many faculty, staff, students, etc.?        
• Project description
  • Explanation of how the project fits the category of project identified and statement of aspects of the project that are particularly creative or offer innovative solutions
  • Statement of anticipated impacts of the project if funded/implemented
  • Recent and/or representative published research that informs this project
  • Goals/outcomes and plans for assessing the outcomes and/or evaluating the program’s effectiveness
  • Sustainability/institutionalization of project (beyond grant term)
  • Statement of how project meets evaluation criteria
    • Match to mission
    • Innovativeness / novelty
    • Implementability
    • Impact
  • Timeline (and milestones) for implementation and completion
  • Budget request
    • Breakdown and rationale
    • Identification of previous or current funding of the project (If innovation funds are needed to supplement existing funds and explanation should be included to demonstrate how the goals/impact of the project will be enhanced)
    • Identification of other grant funding requests currently under review
  • Supervisory approval/signatory page

Match to Mission:

• Programs that clearly and pragmatically linked to mission – they support formation, discernment and reconciliation and are aligned with the University’s strategic implementation efforts.

Innovation:

• Creative program proposals that heighten, enhance, or advance mission-centric initiatives (e.g., academic programming, research-based initiatives, service-related activities).

Successful Implementation:

• Program proposal offers evidence of sufficient development (previous or current work) and faculty/staff/student expertise to ensure program outcomes/goals can be met effectively (preferably in one year).

Impactful:

• Clearly articulated meaningful outcomes, measures and impacts beyond direct participants in the project (i.e., What impact do you hope to achieve through this program and how will you know if you’ve achieved those goals/impacts?). Proposals may also include plans for public dissemination of the program results and/or plans for continuation of the program.

Awardees must follow University purchasing, contracting and accounting policies and procedures for the use of grant funds. Funds may only be used for approved project costs and unused funds must be returned for reinvestment in future grant opportunities.

Grant funds may be used for:

• Summer salary is allowable for activities outside of normal contracted responsibilities; compensation must be paid during the period when work is completed.  Only direct salary costs need to be included in the budget; it is not necessary to calculate the cost of benefits.
• Stipend for graduate assistant or student workers
• Program-specific materials, supplies, speakers/trainers.
• Funding a part of a project that is dependent on other funding only if that other funding is confirmed.
• Equipment essential for the project. Such equipment will be part of the Creighton University inventory.
• Conferences / meetings that have a long-term impact (i.e. consensus documents, published proceedings)

Grant funds may not be used for:

• Course release unless requested by School/College Dean
• Monetary incentives (e.g., gift cards) to participate in the program or its evaluation.
• Travel to explore feasibility of a faculty-led program away (FLPA).
• Fund political activities / lobbying government representatives or agencies.
• Association memberships.
• Costs associated with non-approved travelers / participants
• Galas, benefits or other fundraising events
• Operating expenses for existing programs

Additional levels of review will be needed before approval of the project in the following circumstances:

• Curricular innovation that involves new academic programs and/or requirements
• Technology purchases or technology integration of processes.
• Capital projects, refurbishing or remodeling a space that is essential for reaching program outcomes

An executive summary must be submitted 30 days after completion of the project/before receiving compensation/stipends.

Successful applicants will be expected to present the outcomes of their projects and may be invited to present their results during Mission Week or at a special event to be determined by the president.

The 2022 grant process has concluded. Check back later for more information on the 2023 application process.