Early Bird

Response, Innovation and Student Equity Education Fund is accepting proposals

The fund seeks to address the learning challenges related to the economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19. Proposals are due Friday.

September 28, 2020

The Metropolitan State University of Denver Office of Student Affairs, together with the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs, has organized a Task Force to produce a proposal for funding through the State of Colorado Response, Innovation and Student Equity (RISE) Education Fund program. Total funding for the University may be requested at a maximum of $4 million. The deadline to apply is Oct. 17, and the Task Force is accepting proposals through Friday for departmental components to be included in the funding request.

The State of Colorado Governor’s Education Relief Fund’s RISE Education Fund seeks to address the learning challenges related to the economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19. This fund supports high-needs school districts, charter schools and public institutions of higher education to address the impacts of COVID-19 in a manner that creates sustainable innovations that improve student learning, closes equity gaps and enhances operational efficiency.

The Task Force has narrowed its focus to a program that will smooth the transition for low-income students and students of color to and through MSU Denver, in partnership with select high schools and community colleges. Parts of this program will be aimed toward workforce and graduate-school success and making investments in local and regional high school dual enrollment, high school and community-college student recruitment, campus accessibility, translation services, intrusive advising and student financial support, all leading to retention through graduation.

The Task Force encourages faculty and staff to propose ways their departments could participate in this program. Some questions to ask for potential program components are:

• Does it expand or scale existing, successful programs?
• Does it include local or regional high-need educational partners?
• Does it give students something tangible, such as a financial benefit?
• Will this fundamentally shift MSU Denver’s strategy and approach?
• Does this enhance student success for many students?  
• Does this engage many students?
• Does this expand accessibility to education for MSU Denver students?
• How does your idea resonate with our Hispanic-Serving Institution status, or with African American or American Indian communities?
• How does this propel us to and through a post-COVID reality?

For potential participation in the RISE Fund proposal, please submit your ideas for program components in a one-page summary to the Task Force. Please include in your summary an estimate and description of the costs required to implement your component. Proposals will be accepted for consideration by the Task Force until Friday.

Contact information:

Tim Hawkins

OSRP proposal-development specialist

thawki14@msudenver.edu