Future Maker Grant: Student Outcomes

 

Becoming a national leader in student learning outcomes, including our retention rates, graduation rates, and six-month career outcomes, is a key objective of Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers strategy. We are seeking applications for Future Maker Grants from across academic and administrative units interested in developing and piloting small, short-term interventions/activities that can have a measurable impact on student outcomes (retention, graduation, and/or six-month career outcome rates). We expect to award three one-time, non-renewable grants of up to $5,000. In cases where the potential impact of the intervention is significant, we would consider awarding slightly larger grants. 

We invite all Lehigh faculty and staff – individually or in groups – to apply through InfoReady, Lehigh's internal competition grant portal. 

Timing:

Applications will be accepted through December 1, 2026, and reviews will begin at that time. Awards will be announced in mid-December 2026. Support will be available immediately after the announcement.

Eligibility:

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

Submission Details:

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

Proposals should include:

  • Descriptive Project Title suitable for publication on our public website.
  • Name, Department, and Position Title of each investigator on the proposed project. One investigator must serve as the main correspondent. This individual will be responsible for all deliverables and management of the budget.
  • Abstract: A 250-word abstract giving a clear and concise description of the project’s objectives, proposed methodology, and anticipated results in layperson’s terms. The abstract should describe the proposed activities and describe any existing approaches to improving student outcomes that it builds upon. If the project is selected for funding, this abstract may appear on our public website.
  • Problem Statement: A clearly articulated statement identifying the area of student outcomes (retention, graduation, and/or career outcome rates) the intervention will impact, the specific barrier(s) being addressed, the targeted group for the proposed intervention, and the metrics or leading indicators that would be measured to determine the intervention’s success. Below are some examples of different areas of student outcomes and the potential targeted groups and metrics or leading indicators they could be paired with. 
    • To impact first-year retention rates the targeted group might be students in academic jeopardy and the metrics or leading indicator measured could be student recovery to good academic standing.
    • In the case of six-year graduation rates, the targeted group might be students who have stopped out before completing their degrees and the metrics or leading indicator measured could be re-enrollment among students on leave or withdrawn.
    • For career outcomes, the targeted group might be from a particular college or a demographic cohort who have higher still seeking rates (employment or continuing education) and the metrics or leading indicator measured could be access to career education, career resources, alumni mentoring and professional connections. 
  • Project Objectives: Explicit measurable objectives for the project that are clearly tied to the area of student outcomes being addressed.
  • Project Timeline: A timeline detailing project implementation that will be sufficient to achieve objectives. Note that the grant is intended for activities that will take place in the Spring 2027 Semester.
  • Evaluation Plan: A clear and feasible plan for evaluating progress on the project objectives that includes description of qualitative and/or quantitative data to be collected and analyzed.
  • Dissemination and Sustainability Plans: Plans for dissemination of project outcomes and potential sustainability of project activities beyond the lifetime of the Future Maker Grant.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the likelihood that the project would have a measurable impact on student outcomes (retention, graduation, and/or six-month career outcome rates). 

Project proposals will be reviewed by the Office of Strategic Planning and Initiatives in consultation with the Provost, appropriate initiative leads, Center for Career and Professional Development, and the Office of Student Retention. The top proposals will be recommended to the Provost for selection. Evaluation criteria will include:

  • Will the project have a measurable impact on student outcomes (retention, graduation, and/or six-month career outcome rates)? 
  • Is the scale and scope of the project feasible given the resources provided?
  • Has the proposal considered and communicated how they will work in partnership with the Center for Career and Professional Development and/or the Office of Student Retention? 
  • Is there potential for the project to be sustainable beyond the life of the Future Maker Grant?
  • Has the target group of students who will be impacted by the project been clearly identified and articulated?  

Reporting Requirements

You will be required to submit a final report after the project is complete. 

Contact Information

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