Support for Strategic Initiatives

The Provost’s Academic Council (PAC) will make decisions about which ideas to pursue and prioritize, consulting regularly with other offices regarding the feasibility of new ideas and projects.  The PAC has articulated the following criteria for evaluating proposals:  

• The degree to which the project aligns with Middlebury’s strategic framework
• The intended impact of the project
• The innovative potential of the project
• The degree to which the project integrates or connects existing efforts across Middlebury
• The longer-term financial and administrative sustainability of the project, if applicable

In addition, each year specific areas of focus are identified by Middlebury’s leadership.        

• Advance innovations in digital methodologies across disciplines. Initiatives that help broaden the exploration and adoption of AI across Middlebury courses and programs would fit into this category.
• Further our global connections
• Build upon Middlebury’s goals around intercultural communication and languages
• Integrate or connect existing efforts across Middlebury. These include our programs in California, Vermont, and Washington D.C., and sites that support Bread Loaf, the Language Schools, and the Schools Abroad
• Promote lasting educational innovation

In the past, projects receiving awards through this process have been funded through a variety of sources including The Ron and Jessica Liebowitz Fund for Innovation.

Deadlines

The deadline to apply for this funding is March 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern. Notification of approval, denial, or “needs revision” will be sent by May 2, 2025. Successful proposals will receive funding for fiscal year 2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026).

Guidelines

• To get started, please review the guidelines to ensure your initiative is eligible.  Please review the guidelines before submitting your proposal.