Program Overview.

In a coordinated effort to expand entrepreneurship opportunities across UMKC, the “Entrepreneurship Innovation Grants” (EIG) program was launched in 2021 with support from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. With continued support from the Foundation, we are proud to again provide new opportunities for funding for cross-campus entrepreneurship initiatives. These opportunities could include course development, program creation, pitch competitions, technology commercialization, partnerships with community organizations and promoting social entrepreneurship and more. Our comprehensive view of entrepreneurship promotes the growth mindset, innovation, and exploration of entrepreneurial viability.

We seek diversity in the nature and scope of proposals from faculty or staff in academic or other units, centers, or institutes with relevant interests in one or more of the “Proposal Categories” described below. Grants in this program will likely range from $5,000 to $75,000 per grant, though other amounts will be considered depending on assessment of the proposals received. Grant proposals may be for one year or two.

Submission Process and Deadline. Interested parties will complete a Request for Funding Proposal (RFFP) in the form attached as Appendix A outlining the innovative concepts in one of the categories:  Technology Commercialization or Program and Professional Development.

Timeline:

• February 15, 2023 – Grant Cycle Opens
• April 1, 2023 – Grant Applications Due
• May 1, 2023 – Notification of Recipients
• June 1, 2023 – Grant Term Begins
• August 31, 2024 – Grant term ends for one-year grants, final grant report due; OR interim report due for two-year grants
• August 31, 2025 – Grant term ends for two-year grants, final grant report due

Submission Deadline: To be considered for a grant under this program, an RFP must be submitted no later than 11:59PM on Saturday, April 1, 2023 per the instructions in Appendix A.

Please note if you are not ready to apply. The current Kauffman grant is from 2023-2027. We plan to offer four grant submission cycles over the next five years.

Download the RFP (PDF)

For questions regarding this program, please contact the grant administration team at [email protected]