The Office of Research and Innovation is accepting preliminary idea submissions for the Explorer Challenge until Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
For over a decade, the Explorer Challenge, originally known as the Strategic Innovation Fund, has supported piloting collaborative and innovative ideas brought forward by the entire Marquette campus: staff, students and faculty. The unique nature of this competition was recognized by the University Economic Development Association with its Award of Excellence in Innovation in 2018.
Updated information on this year’s competition will be posted on the Explorer Challenge website. Information on past awardees is available online.
In 2024, The University Innovation Council (a cross-campus group of staff, students and faculty) developed an updated version of the Explorer Challenge. This year’s competition will continue to use the updated format.
Applicants will submit a brief, one-page proposal summary along with a short pitch presentation, which the Innovation Council will use to determine award recommendations. Details on the application process and available support to help develop Explorer Challenge ideas can be found in the timeline section below.
The Innovation Council will host an “Innovation Sandpit” event in February 2026, where participants can discuss preliminary ideas and receive support from the council and campus community in refining concepts and forming teams. If you are interested in submitting a project idea description for discussion at the sandpit, please complete the submission form by Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.
The Innovation Council encourages anyone who may be interested in applying to this year’s competition to submit a very brief (one-to-three sentence) description and participate in the sandpit. Additional workshops and office hours will be held to assist with project development.
Two different levels of funding will be offered. This will accommodate teams who have ideas that are ready for larger scale funding (up to $25,000 for a two-to-three-year project) as well as those with earlier-stage ideas that would benefit from a planning or pilot year (up to $5,000).
Funded projects will begin in July or fall 2026.
For the 2025-26 competition, applicants should submit projects that fit in at least one of these categories:
- The creation of innovative new cross-disciplinary collaborations (including building new research teams). Note that research proposals should involve the creation of new scholarly endeavors that involve development of new cross-disciplinary teams and not simple extensions of current research programs.
- The creation of innovative pilot programs that support the goals of Marquette’s strategic plan themes of Thriving Students, Healthy Campus and Care for the World. See the Strategic Plan website for more information on themes.
*Note that successful Explorer Challenge projects require demonstration of innovation (not just a way to sustain existing programs) and are able to articulate the potential impact of the project.
