Description/Overview

Enhancing our work and skill sets in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) is a key element woven throughout Lehigh’s Strategy, Inspiring the Future Makers, as we harness its transformative potential to innovate, drive impact, and foster collaboration across our institution. We are seeking applications for Future Maker Grants from across academic and administrative units interested in utilizing Generative AI to more strategically and meaningfully impact the work they do (A good example is the Admissions Office's recent adoption of AI to expand the number of students they could reach and streamline their work). The adoption or enhancement of the use of GenAI is key to Lehigh’s ability to foster innovation, drive impact, and enhance efficiency. This grant will provide administrative support and tools to assist in this process. We expect to award four one-time, non-renewable grants. 

LTS can assist in things like identifying AI use cases, consulting on effective adoption of  built-in (e.g., the enterprise AI tools being rolled out for Ellucian, Atlassian, Microsoft) or generally accessible (e.g., Gemini) GenAI tools, and connecting units to local and external expertise. LTS can also provide gated access to higher-end paid AI tools like Copilot and Gemini Advanced.

Some examples of how these supports may be used are to upskill faculty and staff, improve overall efficiencies or processes in a respective area, or to integrate GenAI into the academic enterprise. Academic integration could include but is not limited to: accelerating the creation of AI-related academic programs (undergrad, grad, executive education, certificates, minors, tracks), accelerating AI integration by identifying courses where AI education is essential.

Proposals should clearly convey their alignment with the goals or initiatives of the Inspiring the Future Makers strategic plan. We invite all academic and administrative departments/units to apply through InfoReady, Lehigh's internal competition grant portal.

Timing

Applications will be accepted through September 22, 2025, and reviews will begin at that time. Awards will be announced by October 20, 2025. Support will be available immediately after the announcement and is not intended to be renewable.

Eligibility

Lehigh University administrative and academic departments/units are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Submission Details

Submit a document of no more than two pages through InfoReady.

Proposals should include:

  • A list of the department/ units involved in the project and the main contact person.
  • A statement indicating what initiative or goal of the strategic plan the project is designed to advance.
  • A clear statement of the problem or opportunity your project addresses, and why GenAI is the appropriate solution, including a description of what actions are proposed and how the requested support would be used.
  • A description of what would constitute success of the project, including proposed metrics or indicators of impact aligned with the strategic plan. (e.g., specific target improvements, adoption rates, efficiency gains).
  • A timeline.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on the likelihood that the project would significantly advance one or more goals or initiatives of the Strategy and the predicted or perceived benefits of the adoption or enhancement of GenAI usage. 

Project proposals will be reviewed by the Office of Strategic Planning and Initiatives in consultation with LTS and appropriate initiative leads. The top proposals will be recommended to the Provost for selection. 

Evaluation criteria will include:

  • Is the goal of the project well aligned with the university strategic plan?
  • Is the scale and scope of the project feasible given the resources provided?
  • Will the broad impact of the project be long-lasting?
  • For academic proposals, the number of students impacted and the current success rate of students in the class will also be considered. 

Reporting Requirements

You will be required to submit a final progress report. 

Contact Information

Questions and requests for additional information should be directed to inspi@lehigh.edu.