Since the creation of the fund in 2014, the Marquette University Strategic Innovation Fund has provided three funding cycles of seed money to projects led by students, faculty, and staff from across campus. To date, the Strategic Innovation Fund has awarded more than 70 projects a total of approximately $7 million. After reviewing the progress on funded projects, learning from process changes made in previous rounds, and identifying priorities for the future, we are making changes this year that include a new name: The Marquette Impact Challenge.

The Marquette Impact Challenge will continue to cultivate and fund innovative ideas from students, faculty, and staff that improve Marquette, the broader community, and the world. The Marquette Impact Challenge will have two tracks: The President’s Challenge and The Explorer Challenge. More details about The President’s Challenge will be announced later. The Explorer Challenge is maintaining most of the proposal and review processes from the Strategic Innovation Fund.

The Explorer Challenge invites Marquette students, faculty, and staff to submit proposals for up to $25,000 in seed money for innovative projects that make an impact and advance Beyond Boundaries, Marquette's Strategic Plan. Projects that are interdisciplinary or create new partnerships are especially encouraged. To be eligible for the fund, Marquette affiliated individuals and teams must submit a pre-proposal (due December 1, 2017) and a final proposal (due March 4, 2018).

The Explorer Challenge proposals are reviewed by the Innovation Council and the University Leadership Council before final awardee selections are made by President Lovell, Provost Myers, and Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Joel Pogodzinski. Awarded projects will receive their funds on July 1, 2018.