The Explorer Challenge

The Explorer Challenge is supported by the generosity of donors to Marquette.  For the 2025-26 competition we anticipate two levels of funding: 

• For projects ready to be fully implemented, funds of up to $25,000 will be available to be spent over a 2-3 year period.  As in the past, a sustainability plan will be needed for projects that plan to extend beyond the Explorer Challenge funding.  One or two awards at this level will be anticipated. 

• For projects that need more planning or early-stage pilot activities, we will also have smaller (up to $5,000) awards available.  Recipients of these one-year awards will be expected to meet with Innovation Council members during their award period for feedback and advice and will be eligible to apply for a larger award in subsequent years.  Up to five smaller awards are anticipated. 

Think of an innovative project that would benefit the campus community; make sure it follows the guidelines. Once you have determined that you have a project to be considered, complete the following:

1. Submit a preliminary idea online by completing this form.
   • Any Marquette student, faculty, or staff member can submit an idea! A summary of submitted topics will be made public. Please do not include any confidential details in your summary (especially if there may be intellectual property involved). 
2. Attend the Explorer Challenge Innovation Sandpit event
   • The Innovation Sandpit is an opportunity for the campus community and those who submitted preliminary ideas to discuss their potential projects and create teams. It will be hosted by Innovation Council. There will be light refreshments. It will be scheduled for earaly February (see timeline).
3. Attend the Explorer Challenge budget and project summary Workshop
   • The workshop will be focused on budget and project summary development. Attendance is not required, but it is highly encouraged. We will have 2 dates with the same content to accommodate class schedules. They will be facilitated by Mark Simonson (ORI Budget Director) and John Blum (ORI Grant Writer). These will be scheduled for March (see timeline).
4. Take advantage of office hours hosted by Innovaton Council members
   • Office hours will be announced after the submission form closes. They are a chance to meet with Innovation Council members one-on-one to discuss project development and ask questions.
5. Submit the final one-page project summary and slide-deck
   • One-page project summaries (including budget) and slide decks are required in order to participate in the final pitch event. You must have your application endorsed by your chair/dean/supervisor (for faculty and staff), or your faculty or staff sponsor (for students - students cannot spend funding on their own, therefore, need a sponsor). Applications/summaries and slide decks are due March 25, 2026.  Workshops, office hours, collaborating with your team, and following the guidelines will prepare you for the final pitch. 
6. Present a pitch at the Explorer Challenge Pitch event
   • All teams/individuals who want to compete for funding must present at the pitch event. Pitches should be no longer than 8 minutes. Innovation Council members will serve as judges and will take time to ask questions after you present. Refreshments will be served. Winners will be announced by July 1, 2026. 

For the 2025-26 competition, applicants should submit projects that fit in at least one of these categories:

• The creation of innovative new cross-disciplinary collaborations (including building new research teams). Note that research proposals should involve creation of new scholarly endeavors that involve development of new cross-disciplinary teams and not be simple extensions of current research programs.  
• The creation of innovative pilot programs that support goals of Marquette’s strategic plan themes of Thriving Students, Healthy Campus, and Care for the World.  See www.marquette.edu/2031/ for more information on the Strategic Plan themes. 

The following are expected funding guidelines for the Explorer Challenge and should be explicitly stated in your summary /pitch:

• Demonstrate to the reader that your project is innovative (not just a way to sustain existing programs). Innovation can include adaptation of existing strategies to support Marquette in new ways as well as development of brand new ideas. Articulate potential impact.
• Write for a general audience.
• Clearly define the problem or opportunity being addressed and the strategy used.
• Represent a cross-campus collaborative effort, as appropriate to the project.
• Have the potential to become financially sustainable if the project is expected to continue beyond the funding period.
• Demonstrate the impact of the project on Marquette and the broader community, as appropriate.
• Provide a set of realistic goals that can be achieved within a defined time period.

Thursday, December 4, 2025

• Ideas submission form opens

Friday, January 30, 2026, 11:59 PM

• Preliminary ideas DUE; online submission portal closes. 

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

• Portal ideas made available to campus;
• Office hours announced for Innovation Council to assist with project development

Week of February 9-13, 2026 (Exact Date/Time/Location TBD depending on participant schedules)

• Explorer Challenge Innovation Sandpit Event
  • Opportunity for campus community to share project ideas, and build teams
  • Event will be facilitated by members of the University Innovation Council

Week of March 16-20, 2026 (Exact Date/Time/Location TBD depending on participant schedules)

• Explorer Challenge Proposal Workshops to prepare for:
  • (a) pitch and accompanying one-page summary; and
  • (b) budget development

Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 5 PM

• Final proposal one-pager, budget template, and pitch slide-decks (1-2 slides) DUE

Week of April 7-10, 2026 (Exact Date/Time/Location TBD depending on participant schedules)

• Explorer Challenge pitches heard

One-page summary AND slide-deck required for pitch consideration.

• One-page summary / application form template
  • You must have your application endorsed by your chair/dean/supervisor (for faculty and staff), or your faculty or staff sponsor (for students - students cannot spend funding on their own, therefore, need a sponsor).
• Pitch slide-deck template

Please download a copy of these templates. When finished, save as "lastname_explorerchallenge_summary" and "lastname_explorerchallenge_slides" then email to innovation@marquette.edu by Wednesday, March 25, 2026, 5 PM.

If you have further questions, please contact innovation@marquette.edu and CC sara.spragg@marquette.edu.