UM Flagship Fund
2024 Flagship Fund Call for Proposals
The University of Montana invites proposals for the UM Flagship Fund, a fund from which UM will invest in projects that seek to translate UM’s Vision into action.
UM’s greatest asset is its talented and committed faculty and staff. The Flagship Fund, currently funded through philanthropic support, provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to access funding for innovative ideas that will propel UM into the future while delivering on its promise to foster inclusive prosperity for all.
This year, the Flagship Fund invites proposals for one-year grants of up to $10,000 to build the University’s internal capacity to better utilize generative artificial intelligence. This is one of the areas UM has identified as posing external opportunities and challenges as we look ahead for our university.
Proposals should align with one of the five, broad AI pillars the university has identified:
- curricular integration
- student support
- operational efficiency
- enrollment, marketing, and advancement
- research and innovation
Proposals should also support one or more of UM’s strategic objectives.
Funding will be available for these projects in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Submission Guidelines and Deadlines
Proposals may be for individuals or teams in any sector to amplify existing areas of understanding, to adopt new ways of work, to pilot AI tools, or to participate in professional development. Preference will be given to proposals that demonstrate cooperation across offices or areas of expertise, that benefit cohorts rather than individuals, and that carry a broad impact. Faculty and staff interested in submitting proposals are encouraged to participate in a campus-wide generative AI Symposium planned for January 16 to help sharpen their ideas and connect with others engaged in similar thinking.
The deadline for submission of proposals is March 1, 2024. The Flagship Fund Advisory Group--a group of UM faculty, staff, and students--will meet with proposal authors in March to discuss the proposals submitted. The Advisory Group will make its recommendations to President Bodnar and Provost Lawrence by April 15, and leadership will finalize the decisions by May 1.
Steps to submitting a proposal in Submittable
- Click the button below
- Use your "umontana" email address to access single sign-on
You will be asked to provide a narrative, a budget, and a preliminary plan for implementation. The Office of Strategic Planning and Implementation team strongly encourages interested faculty and staff to reach out for assistance crafting a successful proposal.