The University Technology Council is pleased to be offering the Innovative Technology Solutions Fund (ITSF) to support innovative technology solutions that advance student success. A major responsibility of the University Technology Council (UTC) is to provide oversight of the use of UAA's Student Technology Fees (STF). It is the goal of the UTC to spend the STF in a fair and equitable manner while ensuring the maximum possible benefits to all UAA students. Therefore, we balance the spending of the fee between a mix of long term operational expenses while still leaving room for one-time expenses or supporting newer experimental innovation. While the long term operational expenses are budgeted annually, the UTC implemented the ITSF as a way to sponsor and fund innovative ideas regarding technology that supports student success on the Anchorage campus on an annual basis.

You can read about the innovative projects funded by ITSF on the Past Awards page.

Important Note: The UTC will not be accepting ITSF proposals for the FY21 funding cycle (Spring 2020 submission date). Please check back in Spring of 2021 for FY22 funding cycle announcements.

Focus

The UTC accepts ITSF funding requests each Spring and makes funds available the following Fall term. The UTC Finance subcommittee reviews all requests and brings a proposal forward to the full UTC for approval.

Fund proposals should be spent by the end of the fiscal year. All unspent funds will return to the STF general fund at the end of each fiscal year. Awardees may submit a one-time request to extend the fund period beyond the end of the current fiscal year.

Proposals should focus on one of two areas:

1. Projects that develop, support, or inform the technology skills and abilities of UAA students.
2. Projects that use technology to positively impact the learning environment and foster greater student success on the Anchorage Campus.

Eligibility

Anchorage campus undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, staff, and faculty are invited to apply for ITSF funding. These awards come from a percentage of student fees paid by students on the Anchorage Campus.

Important Note: The UTC will not be accepting ITSF proposals for the FY20 funding cycle (Spring 2019 submission date). Please check back in Spring of 2020 for FY21 funding cycle announcements.

The committee expects to award funding on two levels:

1. Tier 1 awards - $1 - $9,999
2. Tier 2 awards - $10,000 - $100,000

Applicants are limited to two ITSF awards every three years. This policy allows for a greater number of individuals to receive awards. 

Funding Criteria

When applying for funding, all proposals must address the following areas:

• Project title
• Primary applicant’s name and contact information
• Total amount requested
• Primary applicant cost center clerk's name
• Proposal summary (250 words max)
• Full project description (10 pages max), including:
  • How the project meets the focus of the ITSF program, including the direct benefit to students
  • The technology to be explored or implemented
  • How the project addresses the following points based on Universal Design
    • Does your proposal represent information in multiple formats and media to allow access for all – various ways to acquire information and knowledge?
    • Do you provide multiple means and pathways for actions and expression?
    • Are there multiple ways to engage interest and actions?
    • Does the proposal include structural design and hardware/software products that are accessible to all?
    • If software is required, does the vendor have a Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) that analyzes accessibility issues?
  • Impact
    • Overall – what is the direct impact on student success?
    • Number – what is the approximate number of students impacted?
  • Implementation schedule
  • Staff responsible for implementation and oversight
  • Detailed budget breakdown (itemized line item)
    • Note: Funds may be used for salary support, with a limit of 25% of the requested funds going towards salary, stipeds, or other wage payments.
  • Some calculation/description of the return on investment
  • Evaluation plan
  • How operational funding will be acquired (if proposal is successful and there are ongoing costs)
  • How the project results will be shared back to the UAA community

To apply please visit the ITSF Proposal Application.Link to the ITSF Proposal Application

 Scoring Criteria

Award selections by the ITSF Review Panel will be based on:

• Proposal Goals
• Proposal Design
• Benefit to Students
• Plans for Proposal Evaluation and Participant Assessment
• Collaboration
• Accessibility and Usability
• Budget

Scoring Rubric