Good ideas and entrepreneurial initiatives sometimes fall short of their true potential because of limited resources.

The Academy will provide funding for faculty and graduate students to facilitate and stimulate the development of entrepreneurial ingenuity on the Urbana campus.

If you have a creative idea to expand the understanding and appreciation of entrepreneurship on campus, let us know. If you want to learn more about entrepreneurship by attending a professional conference or seminar or would like to develop an experience-based learning program for students, get in touch. Other initiatives that would qualify for support include:

• Research support for faculty that enhances understanding of entrepreneurship
• Support to attend entrepreneurship competitions such as business plan and case competitions
• Assistance in the exploration of an entrepreneurial opportunity such as a new business venture or social entrepreneurship initiative
• Creative projects that have the potential to generate social, intellectual, or economic value to the Illinois community

Awards up to $5,000 will be granted. To get started, contact the dean of your college. The dean provides the first level of screening, and recommends appropriate projects to the executive director of the Academy. Applications are accepted on a rotating basis and a review and decision will be made within 30 days of submission to the Academy.