Two Years of Strategic Support and Funding To Help Ecosystem Futures Fellows Move Their Action Plans Into Practice
Overview
The Ecosystem Futures Catalyst Grant provides strategic training, communities of practice, and membership in the VentureWell Innovation in Action (VIA) Community, along with $85,000 over two years.
The grant supports teams from U.S. higher education institutions that have successfully completed the Ecosystem Futures Fellowship and are ready to advance their STEM innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem work.
This grant is designed for higher education teams doing systems-level work through the lens of social and environmental sustainability and inclusive innovation that is required to strengthen institutional and regional ecosystems. Rather than a focus on additional planning, the grant carries forward the work fellows have already developed, providing them with scaffolded support as they implement their STEM innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem growth action plans.
Why Apply?
Funding
- A total of $85,000 is awarded to institutions, not individuals, over two years.
- Funds may be split across multiple institutions for multi-institution teams.
- Allowable costs include personnel, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, and other direct costs.
- Up to 15% of the total award may be used for indirect costs.
Strategic Support and Community
- Virtual kickoff workshop
- Membership in the VIA Online Community
- Monthly virtual community of practice meetings
- Workshops during the first 18 months focused on relevant ecosystem building topics such as:
- Leading complex institutional change
- Partner development and relationship management
- Communication and storytelling for ecosystem work
- Navigating higher education systems
- Sustainability and long-term resourcing
- Equity-centered and student-focused approaches
- Commercialization and technology transfer realities
Do You Qualify?
Applicants must:
- Have successfully completed the Ecosystem Futures Fellowship
- Apply as a team of four or more members from one or more U.S.-based higher education institutions
- Include at least one team member in a higher education leadership position
- Represent at least three roles across the team from the collaborator wheel below, excluding students
Up to 10 teams will be selected for the inaugural 2026 cohort.
The Ecosystem Futures Fellowship is supported by our generous partner, The Lemelson Foundation.