Innovation Grants

The Elon Innovation Council (EIC) awards grants of up to $5,000 each academic year to support innovative projects led by faculty, staff or students that advance Boldly Elon initiatives. The EIC defines innovation as “the deliberate effort to develop new, creative approaches to solving problems or adding value.” While all qualifying proposals are welcome, applicants should note that some projects, such as those focused primarily on faculty or undergraduate research, may be better suited for other university funding opportunities.

Proposals must be submitted electronically by the posted deadline. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Eligible to Apply

All faculty, staff and students.

Scope of Funding

Projects may be departmental as well as interdisciplinary across departments and units and collaborative projects are encouraged as well. They may be proposed by individuals or groups and may entail significant one-time events or the initial establishment of longer-running programs or initiatives. Faculty and staff projects in partnership with students are welcomed and encouraged. Although proposed projects are expected to further Boldly Elon initiatives, approaches may vary, but must address one or more of the following:

  • Enhancing the sense of inclusivity and belonging across campus (Theme: Thrive)
  • Promoting mental health and wellness at Elon (Theme: Thrive)
  • Developing mentoring programs and opportunities (Theme: Learn)
  • Building on interdisciplinary work across units on campus (Theme: Learn)
  • Increasing yield and diversity of the Elon incoming class (Theme: Rise)
  • Supporting internationalization of our campus (Theme: Rise)
  • Fostering lifelong alumni partnerships through professional development, networks, learning opportunities and lasting connections between alumni and the university (Theme: Connect)
  • Building Town of Elon-Elon University partnerships that support mutual interests, economic development and civic and student engagement (Theme: Connect)
  • Developing curricula, short courses and certificate programs across the curriculum in all colleges and schools to ensure all students are prepared to access, analyze and manipulate complex data (Theme: Learn)

We welcome all proposals. Please note, however, that there may be other Elon sources of funding that are more appropriate or applicable to your idea, such as Faculty Research & Development, Elon Kickbox, the Acorn Fund, Undergraduate Research Endowed Grants, Doherty Center’s Elon Innovation Challenge and others.

EIC Innovation Grant Guidelines

Information pertaining to award amounts, allocation and reporting:

  • The maximum request is $5,000.
  • Grants will be distributed over one year.
  • While grants may be awarded to help establish ongoing initiatives, applicants must provide a summary of funding that will be used to continue such initiatives. These may include external funding and/or internal funding provided through department/programmatic operational budgets and gift accounts.
  • Funding for food may not exceed more than 10% of the total award.
  • Individual honoraria typically may not exceed $1000.
  • The grant does not fund capital improvement projects.
  • Proposals must follow any university policies regarding technology, health and safety if applicable.
  • The same project cannot be funded more than twice.
  • After funding is awarded, an impact report (no more than 2 pages) describing the status of the project and its impact to date must be sent to innovates@elon.edu by May 30, 2026.
  • Grant recipients agree to present at a special Elon Innovates gathering in fall 2026.
  • Grant recipients must provide acknowledgment that their project is an EIC- funded activity to the university community when and where appropriate.

Deadlines and Decision Dates

The deadline for proposal submissions is Oct. 24, 2025, at 5 p.m. Decisions will be announced in December.