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Dear USD Community,
After an intensive, collaborative and comprehensive 18-month process, the USD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the Lighting the Way to 2030 strategic plan at their meeting in December of 2024. The plan builds on the impressive success of Envisioning 2024, our previous strategic plan, while also providing the direction and alignment necessary to realize a series of major milestones by the year 2030.
As committees work together to focus on each of the plan’s goals, and in order to continue to advance progress on the Lighting the Way to 2030 plan, strategic initiative funding is available beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.
All current USD faculty, administrators, staff and students, either individually or as a team, are eligible to submit proposals. The purpose of the fund is to jump-start or catalyze – not to permanently fund – initiatives that will help us accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the plan.
Applications for strategic initiative funding are now open. The deadline for submission is April 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. Notifications will be made no later than May 20, 2026 and the funds will be available for up to two years, from August 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.
Information Sessions for those interested will be held on March 16 (11 a.m.), March 26 (10 a.m. and 1:30p.m.), April 7 (12 p.m.). Each of these sessions will be in the Ministry Center.
Application information, proposal evaluation rubric and other resources are available online. (USD login required)
Please note that special attention will be given to projects that articulate a concrete commitment from a clearly identified academic unit, department, center or office for ongoing funding as well as those that are designed to adapt existing programs, projects and resources to align with the strategic plan. In addition, all proposals must receive an endorsement from the relevant Dean or Vice President.
We look forward to reviewing your submissions as we light the way forward at USD together.
Peace,
James T. Harris III, DEd
President
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