ALIGN Grant

Academic Affairs ALIGN Grant 
Accelerating Learning through Interdisciplinary Growth & Needs 

Call for Proposals 

The Office of the Provost invites proposals for the ALIGN Grant. This grant supports the development of innovative, new undergraduate or graduate degree programs that respond to high-demand workforce needs and engage three or more academic departments across the Colleges. 

Purpose of the Grant 

ALIGN supports faculty teams in moving innovative degree ideas from concept to formal submission in WKU’s academic approval process during AY 2026-2027 or AY 2027-2028. Funded programs must be interdisciplinary, workforce-aligned, and non-duplicative of other public programs in Kentucky. 

Funding 

Up to $10,000 will be awarded to a selected faculty team as supplemental pay for curriculum development. ALIGN supports faculty teams in moving innovative degree ideas from concept to formal submission in WKU’s curriculum approval process. Supplemental payments will be paid after completing the CPE Program Proposal and Academic Program Marketing Plan. 

A faculty committee will review grant applications. Committee members may not serve on the review committee if colleagues from their department apply for a grant. 

Eligibility and Requirements 

Projects must propose a new bachelor’s or master’s degree program (excluding doctoral programs), include a minimum of three academic departments with at least one department from a different college, and have a high, regional workforce demand with no duplication at other Kentucky institutions. Teams may have up to four faculty members. Certificates, minors, and concentrations are not eligible. 

Required Application Components 

A grant application is required. Click Request Service to complete the application. 

Once submitted, a follow up meeting may be required by the Provost Office to discuss the application in greater detail. 

Supplemental Pay Requirements 

Faculty payments are contingent upon completion of defined deliverables and require signed acceptance of appointment terms. A Form 16 will be submitted to provide a lump sum payment after the CPE Program Proposal and Marketing Plan is submitted to the Office of the Provost. 

Supplemental pay milestones include: 
 

• CPE’s NOI Approval  

• Curriculum Development Project Plan  

• Initiation of WKU Curriculum Proposal  

• Graduate Programs: Assessment Plan including Curriculum Map  

• Undergraduate Programs: Assessment Plan with Essential Skills integrated and assessed, a curriculum map, and a skills map. 

• SACSCOC Prospectus (if applicable)  

• CPE Program Proposal  

• Marketing Plan  

• WKU Board of Regents Approval  

• CPE Board Approval  

NOI Scoring Rubric