Accelerator Grants support the development and modification of new or existing programs, pathways, and models that expand opportunities for student success.
Grant applications for academic year 2024-25 are now open. All proposals must be coordinated and submitted within the CSU Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) dean’s office at the campus level.
Proposal submissions are open from November 8, 2024 to February 5, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
Submit a Proposal
Since 1993, the commission’s grant program has funded more than 160 proposals for new program development, distributing more than
$7,100,000 to the campuses.
PURPOSE
To support the development and modification of new or existing programs, pathways, and models that expand opportunities for student success.
COMPETITION AUTHORITY
Funding for this grant competition is derived from the local trust funds designated for PaCE use. The Commission requires that funded proposals meet the requirements outlined in the current version of the application guide.
These programs must be supported by non-state funds upon completion.
For each category, principal investigators (proposal/applicant leaders) will be individuals at a CSU campus. All proposals must be coordinated within Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) at the campus level. Grants may not be awarded in years in which no proposal fully meets the standards and criteria of CPaCE funding requirements.
- Degree programs offered
must be listed on your campus academic master plan or evidence of submission for approval must be provided.
- For certificates, refer to CSU Policy on Certificates and Extended Education.
- No more than
two proposals may be considered from one campus, regardless of category. If more than two proposals are received from any campus,
only the first two received by the CPaCE will be considered. However, in multi-campus proposals, only the lead campus will be considered as the applicant.
For a complete list of requirements, view the requirements section of the application.
- Grant funds may be used to subsidize employees’ salaries primarily involved in the project and may be used for faculty stipends.
- Grant funds may be used for student internships or to subsidize paid work experience for students.
- Bonus Points for multi-campus proposals may be considered
(a three-year maximum to complete a project is required).
Addresses:
- Modern adult learner-centered programming, processes, pathways, and models
- Post-pandemic economic and social ecosystems
- Alignment with larger system goals
- Adaptation and adjustment to changing environment
- Generating a return on investment and self-sustaining funds
For a complete list of requirements, view the proposal suggestions section of the application guide.
GRANT AWARDS
Approximately
$400,000 in grant funds is available to campus PaCE units. Pending the availability of funding, the commission will award funds based on the number of proposals received and approved for funding.
Off-cycle Funding
Awardees will be required to return a portion of the grant award to support off-cycle/rolling funding opportunities.
Eligibility
For each category, principal investigators (proposal/applicant leaders) will be individuals at a CSU campus. All proposals must be coordinated and submitted through the Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) Dean’s office at the campus level. Grants may not be awarded in years in which no proposal fully meets the standards and criteria of CPaCE funding requirements.
PROPOSAL TYPES
Development Grants
Supports the development and modification of new or existing programs that expand opportunities for student success in the new learning ecosystem.
Bonus Points
Bonus points may be awarded for the following:
- Aligning with Graduation Initative (GI) 2025 Priorities
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Focus
- Industry Partnerships/Connection
Collaboration Grants
Identifies an existing campus program that, with additional funding and collaborative partners, addresses a local, county, regional, and/or international need.
Projects or programs can meet requirements in one of several ways:
- Two or more campuses collaborate on a new program.
- A campus and a community member collaborate on a new program.
- A campus and an industry partner collaborate on a new program.
- Two or more campuses replicate a successful program initiated at another campus, with the “lead” campus serving as the training and technical advisor.
- A campus or campuses seeks to enrich and strengthen existing campus-community programs via public-public and/or public-private partnerships.