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Eight new projects advanced to Phase Three in the 2023-24 51��Ʒ��Ƶ Seed 2.0 competition. Each will receive up to a $2,000 stipend, project management resources and support to address logistical problems as they develop their concepts.

51��Ʒ��Ƶ Seed debuted in 2018, providing funding for initiatives that aligned with the Plan for 51��Ʒ��Ƶ. Its targeted institutional impact prioritized interdisciplinary collaboration.

In 2021, alongside the , the grant program was overhauled. The submission process now supports applicants transforming their idea into a fully formed, scalable project for the University.

What comes next

This summer, Phase Four will see which projects are awarded up to $75,000 of 51��Ʒ��Ƶ Seed funding. After recommendations from the chancellor and provost and senior vice chancellor, those chosen will have a year to develop their ideas.

The stakes increase in Phase Five, the “Big PITTch” round. With the focus on impact, up to two projects will be recommended for up to $500,000 in June 2024. The chosen projects will have one year to demonstrate an implementation plan to scale up the project to an institutional level. Teams will work with the Office of Strategic Planning and Performance, which developed the new Plan for 51��Ʒ��Ƶ, to consider how their projects will integrate with the University's strategic goals.

The sixth and final stage will see one project transitioned to the institutional level and included in the new budget model for ongoing funding. 

"The commitment by Chancellor Gallagher and Provost Cudd to institutionalize one of these ideas will holistically support so many of our colleagues here at 51��Ʒ��Ƶ" said Brooke Spencer, program manager for 51��Ʒ��Ƶ Seed.

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Meet the 2023 cohort

These eight applicants and projects are moving to the next phase of 51��Ʒ��Ƶ Seed.

Dmitriy Babichenko
School of Computing and Information
STEM through Games

Keith Caldwell
Office of Engagement and Community Affairs
CommUniversity Initiative

Tuangtip “Noon” Klinbubpa-Neff
51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Johnstown
Project SOAR: Fostering Leadership, Resiliency, and Network for Students at 51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Johnstown

Melissa Lenos
Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences
TC²: True Co-equal x Transformative Collaborations

Melissa Marks
51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Greensburg
Planting SEEDs-Growing Teachers: Creating a Pipeline

Danielle R. Mehlman-Brightwell
51��Ʒ��Ƶ-Greensburg
Career Readiness: Sophomore and Junior Seminars

Felix Proessl
51��Ʒ��Ƶ Athletics
Forging the Future of High Performance

Anna Wang-Erickson
School of Medicine
Supporting Healthy Babies and Parents Returning to Work Through Improving Lactation Resources