OASIS Academic Innovation Accelerator Program
Investing in High-Impact Pilot Projects to Advance NC State’s Academic Strategy
The OASIS Academic Innovation Accelerator program supports innovative, one-year pilot projects that drive progress towards NC State’s institutional academic goals. By aligning with college and unit priorities, OASIS ensures a strong foundation for scalable innovation and meaningful impact.
OASIS provides a platform for innovation that is both locally grounded and institutionally aligned. Projects contribute directly to the university’s Wolfpack 2030 strategic plan and support division-specific strategies.
Selected projects will join a cohort that prototypes bold ideas, integrates research and practice, and engages students as active partners in design.
Why Participate?
- Access to funding for transformative one-year pilot projects
- Institutional support and expertise, including curriculum innovation, program design, market research, marketing communications, and data analysis, to help align your project with NC State’s academic and strategic priorities
- Opportunity to innovate locally with institutional impact
- Participate in a cohort program, receiving ongoing support and project feedback along the way
- Collaborate across colleges and units for broader reach
Focus Areas for 2025-26 Projects
Projects should address one or more of the focus areas outlined below.
Academic Portfolio and Departmental Strategy
- Analyze and optimize degree, certificate and non-credit offerings at the department or program level.
- Advance departmental goals through program redesign, curriculum innovation, credential development or professional learning opportunities.
- Inform academic portfolio design methods by identifying which programs to grow, transform or reframe for the future.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration where disciplinary boundaries limit innovation.
Curriculum Redesign Based on Labor Market and Skills Analytics
- Use labor market and skills data to align learning outcomes with workforce needs, especially in fields reshaped by AI.
- How to incorporate and assess durable skills in these learning pathways.
Innovative Learning Pathways, Research and Partnerships
- Pilot flexible, future-focused pathways that connect non-credit, certificates and degrees.
- Conduct applied research on learning innovation, learning science or technology-enhanced instruction.
- Build external partnerships (employers, industry, community, global institutions) to strengthen the learning ecosystem and ensure programs remain relevant, scalable and sustainable.
Events, Storytelling and Outreach
- Showcase academic innovation through public events, case studies and media.
- Contribute to a shared institutional narrative about how NC State is shaping education for the future of work and lifelong learning through credit and non-credit innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and external partnerships.
Application Process
- Proposal Submission: Applicants submit a detailed proposal outlining project goals, alignment with institutional priorities, expected outcomes and budget.
- Review and Selection: Proposals undergo a thorough review by a committee of academic and administrative leaders, focusing on impact potential and strategic fit.
- Award Notification: Successful applicants are notified and provided with funding and support resources.
- Project Implementation: Funded projects launch and run for one year with periodic check-ins to assess progress.
- Final Report: At the end of the pilot period, projects submit a final report demonstrating outcomes and impact.
Eligibility
- Open to faculty, staff and academic units within NC State University.
- Projects must be one-year pilots that address academic innovation and are aligned with college and institutional priorities.
- Collaborative projects spanning multiple units or colleges are encouraged.
Timeline
| *Call for Proposals Open | September 9, 2025 |
| *Call for Proposals Close | September 30, 2025 |
| Review Period | September 8 – September 30, 2025 |
| Awardees Notified | October 2025 |
| Project Start Date | October 2025 |
| Project End Date | April 2026 |
*Note: As able, OASIS will receive new proposals after the due date as part of a “rolling” proposal process for projects that can be completed by April 2026. Please contact us for more information or to discuss your proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should be included in the project proposal?
You will be asked to provide the following information when you complete the proposal application form:
- Applicant information on the principal investigator/project lead;
- Project overview, to include a title, a brief project summary (200 words max) and which focus area(s) the project aligns with;
- Proposal details, to include:
- Problem statement/opportunity
- Proposed solution/innovation
- Target audience/beneficiaries
- Current stage of development (multiple choice: idea/concept, prototype, pilot testing, market-ready)
- Expected outcomes/impact
- Intended research component
- Sustainability plan following the Accelerator year
- Alignment with unit/departmental priorities
- Alignment with institutional priorities
- Team and resources, to include:
- Team members (names, roles, affiliations)
- Plan for engaging students in the project
- Expertise sought from the OASIS Accelerator to support your project (checkboxes: curriculum innovation, instructional design and/or program design, market research/labor market analysis, business development support, marketing/communications, data analysis, other)
- Additional information, to include:
- Timeline (key milestones between now and April 2026)
- Final deliverable(s) to be completed by April 2026
- Budget requested (up to $25,000) with justification
- Any additional comments or supporting information
- Upload supporting documents (optional) (PDFs, max 10MB)
- Acknowledgements, which includes two certifications:
- I have sought and am supported in this proposal by my unit/department leadership.
- I certify that the information provided in this application is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
Can projects be longer than one year?
The OASIS Accelerator funds one-year pilot projects. However, the pilot project can be one portion of a larger project. Please share your vision for an achievable outcome for the one-year pilot, as well as your long term strategy if the project is longer than one year.
Are interdisciplinary projects eligible?
Yes, projects that span multiple disciplines and units are highly encouraged.
Is there a minimum or maximum funding amount?
Funding amounts vary by project scope, with a maximum $25,000 per award. Applicants should propose realistic budgets aligned with pilot objectives.
Can students be involved in the projects?
Yes, student involvement is one of the required tenets of all OASIS Accelerator projects. As part of your proposal application, please indicate the ways in which students will be involved in the project.
Contact Information
For questions or assistance with your proposal, please contact:
