A CENTRALIZED APPROACH TO INCREASE PARTICIPATION AND ENGAGEMENT OF INTERNAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AT CAL POLY HUMBOLDT

Abstract

Internally funded opportunities at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, consistently receive lower than anticipated engagement, while academic departments struggle with the administrative burden of outreach and promotion. This lack of a coordinated strategy and practice, results in a variety of inefficient promotional methods that result in increased administrative burden on both the applicant and coordinating staff. Eligible applicants consistently have a lack of awareness as to what internal funding is available to them as well as where, when, and how to apply. Internal funding benefits faculty in piloting new projects and helps research officers gauge the types of external opportunities that might be sought by Principal Investigators. Without some form of standardization, reinforced by a strategic effort, internal funding opportunities will continue to be overlooked and underutilized by faculty. This capstone project explores the reasons why current strategies have been ineffective and looks at better coordinated ways to engage potential applicants. Cal Poly Humboldt’s Engagement Hub will provide a centralized one-stop shop for eligible campus applicants that will become interwoven into the campus culture as a standard platform for promoting campus funding opportunities.