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EKU Academic Affairs Cross-College or Interdisciplinary Collaboration Project Fund

EKU recognizes that interdisciplinary education supplements disciplinary teaching and learning that prepares students to respond to challenges that transcend disciplines, connect theory with practice, and engage in inquiry to remedy complex issues. Faculty and staff collaboration across disciplines and colleges facilitates interdisciplinary approaches that support student development. Interdisciplinary education is a building block of dynamic academic programs, robust student engagement, and transformative innovation.

Academic Affairs is pleased to announce the fifth annual cross-college and/or interdisciplinary funding opportunities to support faculty and staff collaboration (AY 2025/2026). These competitive funds will be awarded to applications that demonstrate cross-college and/or interdisciplinary collaboration. Strong preference will be given to applications that (i) demonstrate innovative cross-college and/or interdisciplinary collaboration designed to affect student recruitment, retention, and/or the student experience, (ii) support the strategic priorities and mission of EKU, and (iii) aspire to foster student engagement.

For the AY 2025/2026 CCIC competition, funding preference will be given to proposals that explore innovative uses of artificial intelligence (AI). Examples include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing interdisciplinary courses or certificate programs.
  • Applying AI in research, creative arts, or student services.
  • Enhancing experiential learning or assessment strategies.
  • Exploring ethical implications or integrating AI literacy.

Collaborative, creative, and impactful projects that experiment with novel approaches to harnessing AI’s potential are strongly encouraged!

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: 4:30 p.m. – Friday, April 25, 2025
  • Project Period of Performance: July 1, 2025, to May 30, 2026*

*All project funds must be expended by this date.

Submissions

Applications will be submitted through the InfoReady™ system that is used for all EKU grants. The InfoReady™ system requires a login with EKU usernames and passwords (same that are used for EKU emails and other EKU applications).

Notes regarding submissions/projects:

  • Funds must be spent/encumbered by the end of the fiscal year (mid-May 2026 is a good target for planning).
  • While projects are expected to have multiple “principal investigators/collaborators,” one individual must serve as the primary contact/lead.
  • The primary contact must determine the org code in which the funds will reside. Since these are one-year funds, we do not set up new org codes for these awards.
  • Letters of support from each department chair (for academic investigators) or unit head (for non-academic investigators) must accompany the proposal. Chairs are responsible for discussing the proposals with their dean.
  • Any needed project physical space requirements/solutions must be worked out with deans/chairs before proposal submissions.
  • Student/graduate assistant employment will use the EKU Human Resources/Graduate School process.

Submission instructions and downloadable submission templates for the proposal and the budget justification are available at the submission portal – linked above under “Quick Links.”

Assessment

Applications will be reviewed and assessed by the project committee in April 2025 using the rubric linked below. The recommendations will be presented to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for final review and approval.

Committee Members

  • Dean Ryan Baggett,
    Co-Chair Graduate Education and Research Administration
  • Dean Julie George,
    Co-Chair EKU Libraries
  • Dr. John Harter
    College of Business
  • Dr. Meg Gravil
    College of Education and Applied Human Sciences
  • Dr. Amanda Balser
    College of Health Sciences
  • Dr. Bill Young
    College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science
  • Dr. Tom Butler
    College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences
  • Dr. David Hayes
    College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  • Dr. Lisa Blue
    Director of AI Strategies
  • Dr. Tiffany Hamblin
    Director of Sponsored Programs
  • Byron Sims
    EKU Information Technology

Quick Links

Full Timeline

  • 2 APR 25
    Provost Announcement on 25/26 CCIC
  • 2 – 25 APR 25
    CCIC Proposal Development Period
  • 25 APR 25
    Proposals Due to the EKU InfoReady Portal
  • 28 APR – 2 MAY 25
    Committee Proposal Review Period
  • 9 MAY 25
    2025/2026 CCIC Award Notifications
  • JUNE 25
    Budget Setup / Pre-Planning (No Expenditures until Project Begins on 1 July 25!!)
  • 1 JULY 25 – 15 MAY 26
    25/26 CCIC Project – Period of Performance
  • 31 MAR 26*
    All 25/26 Project Funds Must be Encumbered*
  • 30 JUNE 26
    Funds must be expended by this date – no carryovers
  • 18 SEP 25
    Project Final Reports Due

*Subject to change pending FY26 year-end closeout procedures

Questions?

Questions on this year’s CCIC project may be directed to Dr. Ryan Baggett or Dean Julie George.