Minigrants
The Innovation Minigrant program provides up to $10,000 in funding for exploratory projects at campuses. The grants are awarded annually and priority is placed on proposals for projects that are most likely to be able to extend to other campuses if the outcomes are positive. Minigrants have supported campus projects in virtual/augmented reality, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, internet of things, blockchain, mesh networking, and robotic telepresence.
With the first round of minigrants awarded in the Spring of 2017, recipients have reported that 67% used the funding to explore an emerging technology and 33% used funds test a solution related to student success. Nearly all respondents (89%) said that the outcome of the project was a prototype. 67% of awardees have presented their findings at a professional conference, while others have disseminated outcomes via websites, articles, and journal publications. This year, over half of the funded projects explored AR/VR/XR, signaling an increasing interest in these environments and experiences for teaching and learning.
2021 – 2022 Projects
- Bring the Ancient Instruments back to Life through an Augmented Reality App, SFSU
- Empathy Lens, SDSU
- Better Learning with “Smart” VR Avatars, CSUSB
- Community Gardens Sensor Data Initiative, Cal Poly Pomona
- Enterprise Data Transformation Through DataOps, Cal Poly Humboldt
- HackHER Gals Cybersecurity Outreach Initiative, Cal Poly Pomona
- Virtual Learning Genie: A Smart Avatar in XR, Fresno State
- Virtual Spaces for Job Interviews and Career Development, CSUCI
How Do I Apply For a Minigrant?
Cal State Innovate is bringing changes to the minigrant program. Once the revised program launches, the application will be available here.
