Published: Jan. 28, 2015

Grand Challenge proposals were due on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and the steering committee is pleased to share that we have received 30 submissions. Proposals were received from 22 different units on campus, including academic departments, institutes, research labs and administrative offices. A wide range of disciplines is also represented. We would like to thank all of you who were involved in the proposal process. We understand the deadline fell during a busy time of year and appreciate your attention and thoughtful approach to the proposal process.

The steering committee will be reviewing all submissions over the next few weeks according to the criteria that were discussed at the Imagination Summit on Dec. 9. For more information on these criteria, please visit the university鈥檚 .

The committee will be hosting a Town Hall meeting in UMC 235 on Feb. 5 from 1 - 3 p.m. to discuss further the grand challenge and its initiatives. We hope that you can participate in these discussions.

, a grand challenge is about creating exciting new internal and external partnerships to increase student success; increasing opportunities for investments in research for the benefit of society; increasing opportunities to partner with industry and federal agencies and further enhancing the university's state, national and international reputation. We are confident that the richness of the proposals that have been submitted will help us achieve these goals.