The UCCS Innovation Program could receive up to $1 million in grant funding from innovation program founder, Terry Boult.
Boult, CU emeritus distinguished professor of computer science, gave the Bachelor of Innovation program a $1 million matching grant to incentivize future donors. This money will fund innovationships for students pursuing a BI degree.
Innovationships are innovation scholarships that will fund tuition and living expenses for BI students for up to four years. To apply, students must submit a video of the impact they want to make and how they plan to do so. Approximately two students will be selected each year by a panel consisting primarily of graduates of the BI program.
To retain the innovationship, students are expected to complete 60 hours of work per semester dedicated towards advancing their innovation. Each student has a mentor to help track and guide progress.
Boult said he hopes this grant will incentivize students to apply for the BI program and support the degree’s longevity.
According to Boult, the Innovation Program has received minimal funding since it was established in 2007. In 2018, he presented four budgets with predicted growth and shrinkage rates. The program’s budget was ultimately not changed.
At UCCS, there is no correlation between the number of students enrolled in a program and the amount of funding that program receives according to Boult. Since the BI program is across the colleges, Boult said there is no specific dean advocating for its funding since each dean is primarily focused on their respective college.
The BI degree is the world’s first and only fully accredited alternative to a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree. The BI degree emphasizes interdisciplinary skills, teamwork and real-world experience.
Boult will match the funding of any future donations made. He donated an additional $250,000 to start the matching fund. Donations can be made on the innovationship page.
Terry Boult. Photo courtesy of UCCS.