Minnesota State seeks to support student, faculty, and staff innovation that shows great potential for improving teaching, learning, and access for students across its 37 colleges and universities.
Funded projects will aim to address obstacles to student success by using existing technologies, resources, or practices in innovative ways. Priority will be given to projects and ideas that support the Minnesota State Equity 2030 initiative.
Faculty, staff, and student innovators* are invited to apply for either of two innovation funding grants.
*Student innovators will need a faculty sponsor in order to apply.
In the spirit of the television show “Shark Tank,” selected innovators who apply for a large seed innovation grant will be invited to compete for funding by pitching their innovative project to an “investor panel” (students, Minnesota State educators, business, and non-profit community members) at the 2020 Shark Tank Open. In preparation for the pitch, individuals or teams will complete an application packet for the panel to review in advance and will be offered presentation coaching to help them prepare for the pitch.
Innovators are also invited to apply for small seed innovation grants that focus on piloting, enhancing, or sustaining an innovation program.
All students, faculty, and staff who are currently enrolled in or employed by a Minnesota State college or university are eligible to submit an application by January 10, 2020 for consideration.
Faculty* and staff can find more information, resources, and the application on the Innovation Funding Connect page log in using your StarID@minnstate.edu as your username.
To receive updates regarding innovation funding,  subscribe to the ASA Newsletter.
*Student innovators will need a faculty sponsor to access the application.
To view a selection of previously funded innovation projects, visit the  Shark Tank Open Stories page or the ASA Newsletter’s  Stories of Innovation Series.
Questions? Contact Stephen Kelly.
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