The E3C Innovation Grant

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to apply. Your proposal must include the following items:

• Project/Program Summary (300 words or less) 
  • Context or background – Provide an overview of your proposed or existing initiative. Is this proposal based on a unique initiative, or is it inspired by similar projects at other institutions?
  • Goals and anticipated outcomes – Estimate the number of first-generation students/ students from modest-income households that this initiative aims to serve. 
  • Target Student Population – Specify the student groups that will be served or benefit from the grant. Include relevant details such as demographics, geographic region/city, and grade level.
  • Alignment with Rutgers Priorities – Describe how the award supports Rutgers’ Strategic Priorities, Diversity Strategic Plan, or Academic Master Plan. (Refer to the Chancellor’s Academic Master Plan for your specific campus.)
  • In 50 words or less, clearly describe the main goal of your project or program and the key outcome or deliverable you expect to achieve if awarded this grant. Focus on the impact, objectives, and measurable results of your initiative.
• Sustainability narrative (300 words or less) Describe how you plan to secure funding after the grant period ends and explain the key learning outcomes that could support future replication of the initiative.
• Proposed budget of up to $25,000 (or up to $2,500 for student groups) and a brief description of expenses for each of the following (if applicable)
  • Personnel (e.g., .25 FTE project manager)
  • Consultants (e.g., on-campus or external contacts to engage)
  • Direct Costs (e.g., supplies, food, materials printing, technology purchases, etc.)
  • Other
• Supplemental funding (300 words or less)
  • If applicable, indicate the estimated total funds or resources your CLU has allocated to support your project this year. Briefly describe these resources (e.g. personnel allocations, partial or full institutional matching, long-term financial commitments or investments, fundraising efforts, etc.).
  • Student organizations, please indicate any funds allocated to the project and the source.

• Impact on students: Will the proposed project help Rutgers University increase undergraduate/graduate enrollment and success of first-generation students, students from modest-income households, and all students who may benefit from programs that advance academic excellence? Additionally, does the proposal build institutional capacity to achieve this goal over a two to three-year time frame?
• Alignment to Rutgers Strategic/Master Plan goals: Does the proposed work encompass efforts to recruit, enroll, support, or graduate first-generation students, students from modest-income households or those who may benefit from additional resources and support?
• Sustainability: Does the proposed work demonstrate promise to serve students from modest incomes over the near- (2025–2026) and long-term (2026 and beyond)?
• Demonstrated institutional investment: Does the initiative/program have dedicated or planned funds to support the continued management, implementation, and scale of this project over time?
• Community-Building: Does the proposed project or program include multiple partners across departments and/or Rutgers institutions? If new research, does it contribute new knowledge to the field?

• All Rutgers faculty, staff, and students are eligible to submit one proposal per program, department, or group.
• Joint proposals with another CLU or department(s) are eligible for consideration. The maximum award is up to $25,000 per project (or $2,500 for student groups). Only one submission is required. Partners must identify a primary grantee and the primary grantee is responsible for redirecting funds to their partners.
• In addition to applications for projects, programs, initiatives, etc., proposals to engage internal or external consultants in support of the outlined goal(s) will be considered. Consultant activities may include materials development and research.

Awardees will be required to:

• Submit the project’s appropriate unit or institutional contact and account information to receive payment via Journal Entry. The E3C will liaise with the representative throughout the payment process.
• Submit a 600-word minimum final narrative report detailing the project background, objectives, key accomplishments, takeaways, and expenditures. The report will be due 90 days after the project's end date. A template for this report will be shared along with the award notification.
• Participate in at least two update sessions, interviews, or presentations with the E3C staff over the course of the 2025-26 academic year.

July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026

*Grants range from $1,000-$25,000