Flagship Fund Invests in Four Projects to Strengthen Wellbeing and Connection
The University of Montana has awarded 2026 Flagship Fund support to four innovative projects designed to strengthen wellbeing, connection and belonging across the UM community.
The Flagship Fund provides one-time investments that help promising ideas move from concept to action, giving faculty, staff and students opportunities to test new approaches, respond to emerging needs and demonstrate what is possible.
2026 Funded Projects
Be Here with Brick will explore a novel approach to helping students build healthier relationships with their smartphones. Communal “Brick” devices placed around campus will allow students to temporarily block distracting apps and create intentional phone-free periods, with the goal of improving focus, sleep, wellbeing and in-person connection. Erinn Guzick proposer.
Wellbeing Through Cultural Arts and Traditional Practices will offer weekly opportunities to participate in Indigenous arts and cultural practices facilitated by Indigenous artists, elders and culture bearers. Open to the campus community, the program will use making, storytelling and cultural connection to foster belonging and holistic wellbeing. Brian Reed proposer.
The Veteran Wellness Coach Program will support a lead veteran wellness coach who will provide peer-based wellbeing support to UM student veterans and service members, building upon a successful pilot launched during the 2025-26 academic year. Patrick Beckwith proposer
Soft Monuments: Textiles as a Tool for Community Wellbeing will bring UM and the broader community together to create large-scale public artworks from recycled textiles. Built around visiting artist Amanda Browder’s fall residency, the project will use collaborative artmaking to foster creativity, connection and community wellbeing. Jennifer Combe proposer.
Together, the four investments reflect the Flagship Fund’s emphasis on experimentation, collaboration and ideas with the potential to create lasting impact at UM.