The Future Makers program seeks projects aligned with the Decision making informed by qualitative and quantitative data and analysis initiative of the Inspiring the Future Makers strategic plan. 

Deadline for submissions is April 15th and projects will be supported with a start date intended as early as May 2024. Any funds awarded should be spent within a 12 month period and will not be renewable.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the likelihood that the project would significantly improve university operations and decision making in ways that are aligned with the strategic plan. Team submissions are preferred. Submission categories include the following: 

  • Decision Making: Describe a university business decision that will be improved through better use of, or expanded access to, data. 
  • Dashboard: Describe in detail, or provide a sketch of, a dashboard that you envision will provide data that will be helpful to enhance the understanding of a pattern or question being evaluated. 
  • Analysis: Describe and frame a question that requires a deep dive into certain data sets. 

Examples of kinds of projects that might be supported include:

  • A study of Lehigh conference room utilization that helps in planning of investments in conference room technology.
  • An analysis of the effect of student living situations on retention or student satisfaction. 
  • An analysis of whether student course evaluations and student learning was influenced by whether a faculty member was teaching a course for the first time or the tenth time.
  • A study of whether applicants who visited campus on sunny days were more likely to matriculate than students who took tours on rainy days. 

NOTE: 

  • Projects not eligible for this funding include requests for access to data related to specific faculty or student research projects such as research intended for publication.  
  • Data must be derived from an institutional data set or be made institutional to be included. 
  • Projects selected may be considered to showcase their proposal in a poster session during the Data Day event in May 2024. 

Project proposals will be reviewed by strategic plan initiative leads who will recommend projects to the Provost for funding. Deans and/or Vice Presidents will be consulted during the review. Evaluation criteria will include:

  • Collaborative efforts are viewed more positively.
  • Is the goal of the project well aligned with the university strategic plan?
  • Is the scale and scope of the project feasible?
  • Will the broad impact of the project be long-lasting?
  • If successful, could the approach be implemented across the university?
  • Is this project supported by similar work elsewhere on campus? 

To apply, Lehigh campus community members should submit an application of no more than 2 pages through InfoReady to include:

Section 1: A description of individuals/departments/centers/offices involved in the project.

Section 2: A description of what actions are proposed. 

Section 3: A statement indicating why these actions cannot be taken under current conditions. 

Section 4: A description of what would constitute success of the project. 

Section 5: A milestone timeline.

Section 6: An itemized budget if funding is requested.

Reviews will begin after the April 15 deadline. Unless the proposer requests otherwise, proposals may be made public after the reviews are completed.