Innovation Grants
The Foothill-De Anza Foundation, in concert with the De Anza College President’s Office, invites all De Anza College faculty, staff and administrator colleagues to apply for an Innovation Grant to fund projects implemented during the 2025-26 academic year.
Grants are available in amounts up to $2,500. Please prepare your proposal to reflect how your grant will provide an innovative opportunity at De Anza College and how the funds would be expended. All final applications with all necessary signatures are due to the President’s Office by June 20, 2025.
Innovation Grants are designed to advance student equity, student retention or increased enrollment and to support colleagues by providing financial assistance to help fund new, entrepreneurial project ideas at De Anza College.
The program is intended to augment existing funds, not replace them. Weight will be given to projects that specifically address opportunities to introduce innovative methods of delivering instruction or services, or team-building, in ways that reinforce student success, community engagement and a growth mindset.
Elements of the Application
Here's a basic list of items needed to complete the Innovation Grant application:
- Description of project
- Objectives and associated outcomes related to advancing student equity, student retention or increased enrollment
- Budget for project
- Need for project
- Steps to implement the project
- Timetable for project implementation
- Additional supporting documentation if needed
Proposals must have acknowledgement from the applicant’s division dean, manager or supervisor, followed by their area vice president or associate vice president. Your application will be automatically routed to these individuals for their acknowledgement, after you submit the form.
Key Requirements for Proposals
- The project is innovative (i.e., creates a new opportunity not currently on campus).
- The project provides outcomes that enhance student or staff success and engagement.
Tips for a Successful Application
- Be sure your application explains how your project meets the key requirements.
- Proposals should be concise (no more than 200 words for each section prompt) and provide adequate information on student or staff success and engagement outcomes, project timeline and budget.
- Travel expenses and salaries will NOT be funded through this program.
- Your proposal should be designed to help students or colleagues and create or implement a new or innovative idea at De Anza College.
- Funding for your proposal should augment existing funds, not replace existing institutional funding.
- Your proposal should specifically address opportunities to introduce innovative methods of delivering instruction or services, or team-building, in ways that reinforce student success, community engagement and a growth mindset.
If Your Proposal Is Approved
- Grant recipients will be announced at the 2025 Opening Day event.
- Recipients will be asked to summarize their project and report on project outcomes at the end of the 2025-25 academic year. This may include presenting at events such as a Foothill-De Anza Foundation board meeting, a Chancellor’s Circle donor event or other college campus events.
- All funds received from Innovation Grants must be expended by June 30, 2026.
Deadline Reminder
Your application must be submitted and receive electronic acknowledgement from your division dean, manager or supervisor, and from your area vice president or associate vice president, no later than June 20, 2025. This means you should submit the form in time for these individuals to review and acknowledge your proposal before the June 20 deadline.
Grant Application