College of Design Request for Proposals
Investment Funds: FY12 one-time investments
Do you have a great idea, but don’t know if it belongs in the College Compact or if it might quality for
Collegiate investment dollars? Does your idea…..
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Advance the vision of the college?
Lead to new revenue that allows it to be self-sustaining within a few years?
Advance the visibility and national/international reputation of the unit and College?
The College of Design has non-recurring (one time) investment funds available for initiatives that
advance its Vision.
Vision: As one of the most comprehensive design colleges in the country, the College of Design will
be the recognized leader in advancing transformative thinking and practice, and reinventing our
disciplines and professions for a new century.
In order to prepare our students to confront the real challenges of our time, every College of Design
graduate from the University of Minnesota will:
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Be able to apply design thinking as a way to address issues big and small confronting the
local and world community
Understand and be prepared for the social, environmental, and economic ramifications of
each problem they address and every decision they make in their work
Not only be able to conceive unique ideas, but be capable of implementing those ideas
Funding source includes College-level investment fund and Department/unit match:
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Interdisciplinary Initiatives (more than one discipline) that make connections with community
partners: up to $20,000.
Discipline specific initiatives that strengthen the core activities of the college: up to $10,000
Initiatives that need one-time seed money that have high potential for external recurring
funding: up to $10,000
Development of courses that are designed to attract non-CDes students: up to $5,000 per
course developed.
Process & Timeline:
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December 12, 2011: RFP distributed
January 31, 2012: Application Deadline. Applications are submitted electronically to Kathy
Witherow, kwithero@umn.edu
February 2012: Deans Group will evaluate and prioritize proposals
February 20, 2012: Awards announced
Eligibility: The Deans’ investment pool is available to all full-time faculty and staff (75% time or higher).
Evaluation Criteria: The CDes Deans’ group will review the applications and rate proposals based on
the following:
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Quality and clarity of proposal: does the proposal make a clear, articulate case for the proposed
use of funds?
Appropriateness for requested budget: how well does the proposed use of funds fit within the
proposed budget? Is the budgeted adequate to address the stated goals of the proposal?
Merit and impact: will the proposed use of funds make a positive contribution to the field? Will
awarding funds the proposal be money well spent?
Collaboration/Sustainability: does the proposed project have the potential for collaboration and
matching funds? Is there potential for future external funding?
Additional criteria specific to course proposals:
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Does it meet CLE or WI requirements?
Does the unit have staff available for the course?
Does this impact currently strained facilities? [time/access]
Could this course be taught online?
We will also use criteria determined by the Provost and shared previously:
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Does it promote quality and excellence of academic programs
Does it advance academic synergies among teaching, learning, and scholarship
Does it provide the leveraging of resources from numerous sources such as: central
administration, alumni, donors, foundations and other philanthropic contributors
Does it advance the collegiate unit’s comparative advantage, academic strength and reputation
Application Form
Due Date: January 31, 2012
Initiative Title: __________________________________________________________
Participant
Title
Department
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Description: Briefly describe your idea and address how it meets the criteria above.
Project Timeline:
Amount Requested:
Detailed, itemized budget:
Department Head or Director Signature_______________________________________
Department Head or Director supporting comments:
Commitment of matching or in-kind funds: ________________________________________
Submit information electronically to:
Kathy Witherow, Chief of Staff, kwithero@umn.edu
Please cc: Stephanie Dilworth, sdilwort@umn.edu