FUEL: Foundation Uniting Enterprise & Leadership
Igniting Ideas. Powering Progress.
For years, the Mini-Grant Program provided awards of up to $2,000 to help Seminole State College faculty and staff bring creative ideas to life. These projects enhanced teaching, student engagement, and campus life — leaving a lasting mark on our community.
Now, we’re taking innovation to the next level with FUEL: Foundation Uniting Enterprise & Leadership.
FUEL stands for "Foundation Uniting Enterprise and Leadership. FUEL is the Foundation’s new funding initiative that provides awards starting at $10,000 for bold, collaborative projects led by faculty and staff.
These projects are designed to:
- Ignite innovation by advancing fresh ideas that enhance the student experience.
- Strengthen collaboration across departments and disciplines.
- Empower leadership at all levels of the College to drive change.
- Transform the campus with measurable impact and lasting outcomes.
While Mini-Grants supported small-scale ideas, the need for bigger, bolder, and more sustainable impact has grown.
FUEL was created to:
- Provide larger awards that allow for meaningful transformation.
- Streamline the application process with a short “Idea Pitch” format.
- Support projects with broad reach and measurable results.
| Mini-Grants | FUEL |
|---|---|
| Awards up to $2,000 | Awards start at $10,000 |
| Formal, long application process | Short Video Application |
| Focus on smaller-scale ideas | Projects with measurable outcomes and broad impact |
| Fall and Spring Cycles | Annual Process |
| Limitations on areas of support | Open process for innovation |
Mini-Grants Sunset
Mini-Grants sunset timeline is Spring 2025.
FUEL Launch
FUEL launch is Fall 2025.
- Applications open: October 2025
- First awards announced: December 2025
FUEL Program Funding
FUEL Program funding will be done on an individual project bases after determining process needs. Please keep in mind that the College's vendor process must be followed. Funds will be available beginning in January and may take up to 24 months to be expended.
All Seminole State College faculty and staff are eligible to submit proposals for FUEL funding. Projects should demonstrate collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision for advancing the College’s mission.
The FUEL Program has a two-step application process. Both steps aim to create an easy journey for the applicants and clearly outline the project for the Foundation Board of Directors deciding committee.
Written Application
For the written portion (first step in the application process), there are four main questions in addition to contact information to consider:
- Project Title (50-character limit)
- Description of Request (No character limit)
- Briefly describe your project idea. Be sure to include:
- The challenge or opportunity your project addresses
- How your idea is innovative or different from what already exists
- How your project promotes collaboration across departments, disciplines, or groups
- The impact your project will have on students and the College
- Briefly describe your project idea. Be sure to include:
- Amount Requested
- FUEL awards range from $10,000 to $60,000. Please provide the total amount you are requesting within this range.
- Please provide a brief outline of how the funds will be used.
- Example: $25,000 —
$10,000 for technology
$12,000 for training
$3,000 for supplies
- Example: $25,000 —
There is an opportunity for additional uploads if you feel that they are necessary, but they are not required.
After a review of the written portion, selected applications will be invited to participate in step two of the application process. These applicants will be notified by the Foundation and given ample time to complete this portion.
Video Submission
Selected applicants are asked to submit a 2-minute recorded pitch. The format of pitch is up to the applicant, but it must be submitted to the Foundation in .mp4 format and should not last longer than 2 minutes.
The Foundation Board of Directors will then evaluate the video submissions in combination with the written portion to determine the recipients of the FUEL Program funding.