Future Maker Grant: Mountaintop Activation (2026)

Transforming Mountaintop into a vital destination and resource is a key element of Lehigh’s Strategy, Inspiring the Future Makers. Accomplishing this aim will require actions of many scales and types – including, in the near term, one-time or recurring events that help build community, generate activity and enhance Mountaintop identity. We are seeking applications for Future Maker Grants to fund activities that advance these aims in the near term. We expect to award two one-time, non-renewable grants of up to $5,000. 

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

Timing:

Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2026, and reviews will begin at that time. Awards will be announced in May 2026. Funds must be spent, and events must occur, in the 2026 calendar year.

Eligibility:

Lehigh University faculty, staff and students – individually or in groups -- are eligible and encouraged to apply. Student-led proposals are required to include a department/staff member who will provide financial oversight of the grant. Proposals that build on the momentum of past projects are welcome.

Submission Details:

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

Proposals should focus on one or both of the following:

• An event. Events can be academic and/or community-building, one-time or recurring. (Note, however, that grants are one-time only, and must be spent within 2026).
• A temporary installation. “Pop up” installations, depending on their nature, can be in place for up to three months.

Proposals should include:

• A description of individuals/organizations/departments/offices/centers involved in the project.
• A description of what actions are proposed, and how these would generate activity and contribute to the Mountaintop as a vital destination and key component of the Lehigh identity.
• Any liability and logistical considerations and how those will be addressed, where appropriate. 
• A statement indicating how you would define and measure the success of your project.
• An itemized budget, including a description of how the requested funding would be used.
  • For temporary installations, include the cost of removal. 
  • Student-led proposals are required to include a department/staff member who will provide financial oversight of the grant.

Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be assessed based on several criteria, including: 

• Will the proposed project enhance Mountaintop as a vital destination and key component of Lehigh identity? 
• What collaborations, if any, are you planning to include in your project? 
  • Collaboration with programs based at Mountaintop (Art, Architecture and Design; College of Education; Biological Sciences; Computer Science and Engineering; ATLSS; Energy Resource Center; Ben Franklin TechVentures; ROTC; etc.) is encouraged but not required. 
• Does this project build on past successes? (Your proposal should provide measures of previous success, where relevant).
• What are the “ripple effects” and broader impact of the project? (Your proposal should note, for example, any media attention or reputational impact, or if the project addresses any other initiatives of Inspiring the Future Makers in addition to Transforming Mountaintop Campus).
• Is the scale and scope of the project feasible given the resources and timeline provided? 

Reporting Requirements

You will be required to submit a 1-2 page final report after the project is complete. 

Contact Information

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