New January Innovation Fund Established

Harvard President Drew Faust today (Sept. 10) announced the creation of the President’s January Innovation Fund for Faculty, a special venture fund to support the development and implementation of creative academic or co-curricular experiences for students during the January break period. Proposals are invited from faculty across the University.

“The period between fall and spring semesters offers exciting opportunities for testing creative ideas in teaching and learning, integrating a variety of educational activities into the overall student experience,” said Faust. “I hope that faculty from across the University will see this January period as an unencumbered space for experimentation with ideas and approaches that may inform future pedagogy inside and out of the classroom and across the entire year.”

A limited number of grants will be offered on a competitive basis in amounts necessary to fund programmatic activities. All proposals must include a detailed program description and budget and have faculty sponsorship and approval from the dean of the proposing School. This program is being launched on a pilot basis this fall with the expectation that it will be expanded in future years.

Proposals that include undergraduate participation must be consistent with Harvard College’s winter break policy. Specifically, while off-campus programs may extend over the entire winter break period, on-campus programs for undergraduates should be limited to the week of Jan. 16-23, and proposals must be approved by the dean of Harvard College.

Proposals for January 2011 must be received by Oct. 15, 2010, and award selections will be completed by Nov. 5, 2010. Proposals and questions about the program may be submitted to january_grants@harvard.edu. Read more about the President’s January Innovation Fund for Faculty.