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The Innovation Fund supports creative, one-time projects that align with the college’s objectives of the AWC Strategic Plan 2028 or Vision 2026 Initiatives. This year, a total of $86,000 is available for projects launching in Spring 2027.
Who Can Apply?
Faculty, staff, and students! We want your ideas!
What We’re Looking For
Projects that introduce a new idea, approach, or solution that improve upon existing practices.
Important Dates
Proposal submissions open: September 28, 2026
Deadline to apply: October 31, 2026
Recipients announced: November 30, 2026
Projects completed by: December 31, 2027
Questions
Reach out to Strategic.Planning@azwestern.edu or contact Michelle Struck.
The Innovation Fund Screening Committee includes faculty, staff, and student representatives.
Call for Proposals
Before submitting your proposal, please read the Innovation Fund Proposal Guidelines and review the Rubric found below.
- Form will not be available to complete until 9/28/26.
- All funded projects must comply with AWC purchasing guidelines.
- Not all projects will receive funding.
Our Impact in Numbers
9
Years Funded from 2018-2026
69
Projects Funded
$827,150
Total Amount Funded
Innovation Fund Awards 2026
- Fred Maldonado - Updating Military and Veteran Services - $17,000
- Biridiana Martinez - Mateo Community Tour - $3,000
- Gabe Ureña - FireSafe 360 - $15,900
- Julissa Vargas - Transforming the Student and Employee Experience - $14,750
- Robert Gedeon - Campus Café Courtyard - $27,000
- Bernadetta Ortega - Implementing Indigenous Artwork - $6,000
- Manizheh Nafari - Mathematics for Conservation Literacy - $2,100
Congratulations to the projects awarded funding!
Innovation Fund Awards 2025
- Luis Landeros - Legacy Walls - $ 26,000
- Kamyla Ruis/Sarah Snyder - Zoom Cubbies - $ 25,000
- Marlie Meza - Dual Credit Re-defined - $ 15,000
- Michelle Thomas - Future Matador Career Exploration Camp - $20,000
- Congratulations to the projects awarded funding!
Innovation Fund Awards 2024
- Sara Amani - LeadHERship - $ 20,000
- Tosha Gillespie - Living Walls - $ 15,000
- Ellen Riek - Yuma History Map - $ 13,750
- Jane Peabody - Updating Fitness Center Equipment - $10,000
- Lisa Swenson - Assistive Tech Lab Renovation - $ 5,850
- Shara Skinner - DAC at the MAC - $5,500
- Biridiana Martinez - AWC Enrollment Tour - $5,000
- Angie Creel & Carrie Dawson - Our Part of Yuma History - $4,600
- William Blomquist - MAC Visual Arts Display - $ 3,750
- Jacob Gibson - Bug Days and Beyond - $2,600
Innovation Fund Awards 2023
- Dave Riek - Siendo Primero - $10,000
- Susanna Zambrano - The Hungry Matador - $10,500
- SGA & Shara Skinner - Illuminate AWC - $15,000
- Sci Club & Abby Maze - Science Study Area - $7,000
- Michelle Thomas - Club SOTE - $22,620
- Drs. Kevin Kato & Shawn Clevell - Human Wellness Lab - $20,645
Innovation Fund Awards 2022
- Sara Amani - TEDxAWC - $16,487
- Sam Colton - AWC Solar Training Center - $17,000
- Rosalia Delgado - CAMP Lounge - $16,181
- Brenda Doak - Reskilling Mural (Downtown) - $5,760
- Grant Molinar - Honors Lunch in the Lounge - $2,500
- Kristine Duke - Business Simulation - $5,500
- Stephanie O’Connor - Shade of Possibilities - $9,727
- Adriana Martinez - Student Wellness Room - $5,500
Innovation Fund Awards 2021
- Julie Koepp - Andale's Apparel - $ 22,000
- Biri Martinez - Future Matador Digital Display - $ 10,000
- Leah McKeogh - Rainbow Mural and Sidewalk - $ 8,200
- Laura Sandigo - Adaptive Technology Pilot Loan Program - $ 6,337
- Susie Zambrano - Magnificent Matadors - $ 6,585
Innovation Fund Awards 2020
- Andale's Pathway to Wellness - $ 20,674
- Somerton Matador's Patio - $ 6,200
- #becomingamatador - $ 16,000
- Border Radio Listening Lounge - $ 8,000
- Fillable Water Stations - $ 15,000
- Poverty Simulation and Food Pantry Toiletry Expansion - $ 7,000
- AWC En Español - $ 11,678
Innovation Fund Awards 2019
- Community on Campus: Downtown center - $ 5,000
- Power Up the Ramadas - $ 19,999
- Andale's Pantry - $ 10,000
- Adding Calculators Subtracts Barriers - $ 13,500
- Improving Native American Experience at AWC - $ 5,000
- Gardening and Mud Kitchen Equipment - $ 5,410
- Peer Mentor for Secondary Ed - $ 6,000
- Grow Your Own EDU Jumpstart: Parker - $ 7,500
- Women Resource Center - $ 10,000
- Art Curiosity's project - $ 1,538
- Total - $83,947
Innovation Fund Awards 2018
- AWC Welcome Center - $ 40,000
- San Luis Home Away from Home - $ 35,000
- KAWC Border Radio Project - $ 27,500
- Business Incubator Project - $ 22,500
- Student Seating & Charging Stations - $ 20,000
- American Indian Student Recruitment - $ 8,500
- Writing @ AWC - $ 7,500
- Art Garden Beautification Project - $ 6,300
- South County Ambassador Program - $ 6,000
- Parker Student Engagement Fund - $ 5,000
- Mobile Mini-Makerspace - $ 4,600
- South County Mentoring Program - $ 1,000
- Total - $183,700
