Awards are available to College of Arts & Media (CAM) students to conduct original student-led, creative and scholarly work spanning more than one academic department.

Purpose

The Dean’s Student Innovation Award:

1.) Encourages team-based research and new ideas between students across all of the College of Arts & Media

2.) Supports research and creative work that feeds into Colorado’s creative economy and creative industries nationally

Use of Award

• Projects connected to a course, capstone, or junior/senior thesis project, or can be an independent endeavor

• Working in a community or industry setting with community partners outside of the university

• Bringing expertise to CAM, in the form of outside speakers, performances, workshops

• Diffusion of research and creative work results (publication, fabrication, dissemination costs)

• Tangible materials for projects

• Participation in an interdisciplinary conference is allowable

• Your request can be part of a larger project

• All projects and activities must adhere to CU Denver, CDC, and industry health and safety guidelines. 
  

Award funds may not be used for the following:

• Tuition support, to include academic semesters, study abroad, and internships
• No single-themed conference support
• Award must be used for completion of project
• Payment or honorarium to members of the applicant team
• Fulbright or Guggenheim support
• Cash awards given out in any form
• Projects funded by this award must be student-led (not for faculty-led projects)

Please note, the award is a taxable amount.

Eligibility 

This award is open to all full-time CU Denver College of Arts & Media students working collaboratively across more than one discipline. Student teams must include a minimum of three students from at least two different departments. Teams may include students inside and outside CAM, with preference given to all-CAM teams. All students team members must be enrolled at CU Denver.

Application & Award Requirements

• All student team members must be full-time CU Denver students at the time of application. The lead applicant must be from the College of Arts & Media.

• Team size: a minimum of three students per team from at least two different departments. No maximum limit to team size.

• Applications deadline: Sunday, November 6, 2022, 11:59 pm. No late applications.

• All funds must be used by the end of May, 2023.

• A final project report is required by April 2023, to align with CU Denver’s Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS).
• Award winners must apply to and present their research and work at RaCAS.
• Final projects may be publicly displayed by CAM.

Application Instructions

Full application instructions are found on the application link. All applications must include:

1.) Names, major and contact information of all team members (three minimum), with a single student identified as primary contact to accept the award

2.) A single page description of your project, describing your project and addressing the four scoring criteria below:

• Creativity of idea/approach. Is the proposed research supporting a bold collaborative idea? Is it original? 25%

• Clarity of plan. Describe the project. What are the objectives and intended outcomes of your project? 25%

• Benefit to CU Denver. Does the proposed research relate to the Chancellor's purpose, vision, and values as outlined in the CU Denver Strategic plan? Please detail how your project will advance these specific ideals. 25%

• Feasibility. Is the project doable? Outline your project budget details and timeline. 25%

3.) Budget breakdown—itemize what you’ll spend the award on. How much does your proposed project cost?

4.) A letter of project support from an active CAM faculty member endorsing you, your project, and your ability to follow through and complete the work.

NOTE: All participants must play an active and significant role in the completion of the project. Projects containing participants and disciplines that do no demonstrate a meaningful contribution will be scored lower.

Selection Process

An evaluation panel will include: CAM students, faculty, and leaders in the creative industries. The Dean of the College of Arts & Media has final decision.

Student Research & Creative Activity Resources

Visit the URCA website for more information and resources.