Binghamton University's strategic plan, Forward Together: The Vision for Binghamton University, outlines an ambitious path for advancing the University's impact over the next five years. Achieving these goals will require creativity, collaboration, and investment in innovative ideas that translate the institution's vision into action.
To support implementation of the strategic plan, the University invites proposals for initiatives that directly advance one or more strategic goals and associated action areas. Funding is intended to catalyze high-impact work that strengthens Binghamton’s position as a national leader. The University encourages proposals that are ambitious, collaborative, and innovative, including pilot ideas that may position Binghamton for future institutional growth and distinction.
Two levels of funding are available
- Seed Grants
- Funding range: Normally under $100,000
- Purpose: Support emerging ideas, pilot programs, and early-stage initiatives that require start-up funding to build momentum, test concepts, or develop scalable models for future growth.
- Eligibility: Proposals should support new initiatives or significant expansion of existing efforts that require pilot testing or proof of concept. Seed funding for research is excluded. Applicants should demonstrate how the project will generate evidence to inform future institutional investment, external funding, or broader implementation.
- Timeline: Should be completed within 3 semesters (18 months)
- Post-grant outcomes: Lead to either a High-Impact Strategic Initiative grant proposal, external funding, or realignment of existing resources
- High-Impact Strategic Initiative Grants
- Funding range: two levels of funding - Less than $50,000 and More than $50,000
- Purpose: Support larger-scale, transformative initiatives with the potential for broad institutional impact, cross-divisional collaboration, external visibility, and long-term alignment with the University's strategic priorities.
- Eligibility: Proposals must demonstrate a proven track record of success through prior implementation, pilot work, or other evidence of measurable outcomes. While prior Seed Grant funding is not required, applicants must demonstrate that the initiative is ready to be expanded or scaled through a larger institutional investment.
- Timeline: Funding for up to 3 years that leads to permanent funding with demonstrated
success
Post-grant outcomes: Base funding established, external funding or realignment of existing resources
Timeline
Seed Grants are available each semester with a September 15 and February 1 application deadline.
High-Impact Strategic Initiative Grants are available once per year. For the 2026-2027 academic year, applications are due October 2. For all subsequent years, applications are due March 1 for funding for the following academic year.
Submission Guidelines
- Proposals must be submitted via the Forward Together Funding Request. This online form will be available on August 18, 2026.
- All proposals must be submitted by a university employee who will serve as the project lead and be responsible for implementation, fiscal oversight, and reporting. Student organizations and individual students are encouraged to partner with a university department, school, college, or administrative division when developing proposals.
- All proposals must clearly identify the following items:
- Project Overview
- Project Details
- Level of funding requested
- Collaborations (if applicable)
- Strategic Alignment
- Budget and Justification for Funding
- Expected Outcomes and Measures of Success
- Implementation Readiness of this Project
- Timeline
- Oversight and Accountability
- Sustainability
- Expansion, Scalability and Adaptability
- All submitted proposals will be routed to school/college or divisional leadership for approval before being considered for funding.
Review and Funding Decisions
All submitted proposals will be routed to school/college or divisional leadership for approval before being considered for funding to ensure alignment with unit priorities and operational feasibility.
Following divisional approval, proposals will undergo institutional review through a centralized strategic planning implementation process led by the Office of the President and Provost.
Seed Grant applications will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Strategic Alignment: The proposal clearly advances one or more strategic goals and action areas and demonstrates a meaningful connection to university priorities.
- Innovation: The proposal introduces a creative, promising, or distinctive approach that has the potential to generate new opportunities, insights, partnerships, or models for future growth.
- Institutional Impact: The proposal demonstrates potential to positively influence students, faculty, staff, external partners, or university operations.
- Feasibility: The proposal includes a realistic implementation plan, appropriate budget, and achievable outcomes within the proposed timeframe.
- Collaboration): The proposal engages relevant partners and demonstrates opportunities for collaboration across units or with external stakeholders, where appropriate.
- Sustainability and Growth Potential: The proposal identifies how the initiative could be sustained, expanded, adapted, or leveraged for future funding opportunities if successful.
High-Impact Strategic Initiative Grant applications will be reviewed using the following criteria:
- Strategic Alignment: The proposal directly advances one or more strategic goals and action areas and demonstrates strong alignment with institutional priorities.
- Innovation: The proposal advances a distinctive or transformative approach that positions the university for future growth, leadership, or competitive advantage.
- Institutional Impact: The proposal has the potential to produce significant, measurable impact at the university level through improvements in student success, research, community engagement, operational effectiveness, reputation, or other strategic outcomes.
- Feasibility: The proposal demonstrates readiness for implementation, a realistic timeline, appropriate governance, and a sound budget and resource plan.
- Collaboration: The proposal demonstrates meaningful collaboration across divisions, schools/colleges, or external partners that strengthens implementation and impact.
- Long-Term Sustainability: The proposal includes a credible plan to sustain outcomes, institutionalize successful practices, secure future resources, or otherwise maintain impact beyond the funding period.
Final funding decisions will also consider the availability of funds and the overall balance of investments across the University's strategic priorities.
As the University continues to operationalize the strategic plan, the review and funding process may evolve over time to strengthen transparency, cross-divisional engagement, and institutional effectiveness.
Funding Proposal Form