This fall, students, faculty, and staff will have an opportunity to pitch their game-changing projects in need of funding as part of an upcoming Cougar Cage event hosted by the Palouse Club.
Projects will be selected for funding by the Palouse Club, a group of WSU alumni from the Puget Sound region dedicated to supporting the university’s success. The group has committed to funding three projects within the range of $5,000 to $50,000 in a “Shark Tank” type competition, where presenters have 10 minutes to pitch their project and answer questions.
Members of the Palouse Club have expressed particular interest in research projects that have the potential for transformative impact and can position WSU as a leader in their respective fields. They are also excited about supporting projects that have the potential to bring additional revenue to the university in the form of business or technology spin-offs.
Proposals must include a roster of presenters, a description of the project, an impact assessment or prospective return on investment, a cost analysis, and a simple budget. Projects that are selected will receive one-time funding from the Palouse Club.
Eligible proposals may involve the purchase of research equipment or materials, support for scholarships, upgrades to classrooms or lab spaces, or minor renovations to improve functionality.
The deadline for submission is Aug. 16.
Pitches will be evaluated, and a dozen semi-finalists will be selected to present to Vice President for Advancement Mike Connell and WSU President Kirk Schulz Aug. 24–25. From these semi-finalists, six finalists will be chosen to present to the Palouse Club on Sept. 8 in Pullman.
Proposals and questions can be submitted to the WSU Advancement Principal Giving Team: wsuf.principal.giving@wsu.edu.
