The Explorer Challenge, formerly the Strategic Innovation Fund, 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.
President Michael R. Lovell launched the seed funding competitions soon after arriving on campus in 2014. “We can never have enough creative proposals from our faculty, staff and students,” President Lovell said , “My congratulations to our 2018 awardees and, if you’ve got a great idea, please put together a proposal for our 2019 Explorer Challenge.”
The Innovation Council, led by Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, organizes the process every year and acts as a first set of eyes in the review process. Projects are selected by Dr. Lovell with input from the council and the University Leadership Committee. “The working teams are what really make these projects great. Students, faculty and staff are all working together to accomplish these projects. The number of interdisciplinary teams, complimenting each other, is developing a collaborative culture on campus that ripples out to other external funding opportunities,” Hossenlopp said.
A full list of awardees, project descriptions and collaborators are available online.
Applicant’s to the 2018-2019 Explorer Challenge will receive feedback on their pre-proposals in January, followed by invitations to proposal writing and budget workshops before the final proposal due date on March 3. Interested participants must submit a pre-proposal to be eligible to submit a final proposal.
More information can be found online. Inquiries can be sent to innovation@marquette.edu.