Building Capacity, Leadership, and Sustainability at UMB
UMB faculty and staff develop and implement innovative initiatives that integrate the core values of equity and justice, and advance university culture, engagement, and belonging at UMB.
Impact
The Access and Engagement Innovation Grant advances UMB’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and engaged university community. Through projects rooted in education, our core values, and leadership, the grant expands opportunities for access and engagement. These efforts directly support Theme 3 of the UMB Strategic Plan—University Culture, Engagement, and Belonging—where we aim to cultivate environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and seen. By integrating the core values of equity and justice, the grant not only advances institutional effectiveness but also exemplifies UMB’s role as a leader in innovation and inclusive excellence.
Eligibility Criteria
- Projects must be both interprofessional and interdisciplinary.
- Involve at least two disciplines/schools/units at UMB.
- Include a combination of UMB faculty and staff in project creation.
- Focus on the UMB campus community.
- Address and increase access and engagement at UMB.
Proposal Requirements
Primary applicants must submit a proposal (maximum five pages) including:
- Title of Project
- Roles & Responsibilities: Names, contact information, affiliations, and roles of project leads and contributors.
- Description & Impact: Goals, methods, partnerships, and how the project supports sustainable systemic change.
- Work Plan: Evaluation plan, timeline, milestones, deliverables, and estimated resources.
- Budget & Budget Narrative: Budget (up to $10,000) with justification.
- Resume/CV of primary applicants and supervisor support letters.
Funding
Maximum award: $10,000. Typical awards: $2,000–$7,000. No funding for ongoing work, research, or bridge funding. 3–4 projects will be funded based on merit.
Funds will be awarded in two installments: Half of the funds the time of the award. Remaining funds 6 months from the initial installment.
Grant Term
Final report due June 2027. Presentations required at Fall 2026 and Fall 2027 convenings.
Post-Award Requirements
Grantees must present progress at a Fall 2026 convening and final project results at the Fall 2027 convening. Community-based projects must also be presented to target communities.
Timeline
- Application Opens: September 29, 2025
- Application Deadline: November 24, 2025
- Proposal Review: December 1 – December 12, 2025
- Award Notification: By January 9, 2026
- Initial Funding Awarded: Week of January 19, 2026
- Progress Convening: Fall 2026
- Final Funding Awarded: June 2026
- Final Report Due: June 30, 2027
- Final Convening: Fall 2027
Submission Instructions
- Submit all documents via the Access and Engagement Submission Form by November 24, 2025
- Innovation Grant Application
- Budget Template
- Resumes/CVs of primary applicants and supervisor support letter.