The Presidential Innovation Project is an internal grant designed to support small pilot initiatives focused on:

  • Recruitment, retention, and engagement of students;

  • Engagement of faculty and staff;

  • Improvement of business processes and efficiency

The President’s Office will award five (5) $5,000 grants for project planning, development, and execution between May 2026 and March 2027*. In addition to approved funding, grant recipients will receive the following:

  • Five (5) hours per week release time from regular duties to work on their mini-grant project.

  • Professional coach/mentor to guide recipients through the project implementation. Grant recipients will have the opportunity to request their top three (3) choices for a professional coach and mentor related to the subject of their project.

  • Opportunity to present project and findings to University leadership and peers in an Innovation Showcase.

*These are discretionary funds and must be spent by the grant recipient before March 30, 2027, in accordance with approved University guidelines.

Program Goals

  • To seek broader engagement of PVAMU staff beyond the director and senior leadership levels.

  • To foster innovation and the development of initiatives to move PVAMU JTE 2035 vision and goals.

  • To provide professional development opportunities to grant recipients through proposal development and submission, grant implementation processes, budget management, etc.

Eligibility

Open to all full-time PVAMU staff members who DO NOT HOLD the positions of:
Executive Director
Director
Assistant Vice President
Associate Vice President
Sr. Associate Vice President
Vice President

Project Timeline

  • Interest Meetings:                     October- November 2025

 

  • Application submissions:             Due January 19, 2026

 

  • Award Notifications:                   By February 28, 2026

 

  • Awardees Orientation:                By April 15, 2026

APPLY

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m.
January 19, 2026. 

Click here to access the application form– Presidential Innovation Project Application Form 
No late applications will be accepted.  Please make sure to submit all required information.