Centennial Staff Innovation Award

The Centennial Staff Innovation Award celebrates UH staff who have already made a significant impact by implementing innovative programs, practices, products, or partnerships that enhance efficiency and improve the UH community. We anticipate awarding 100 innovations.

Award Benefits

• A commemorative plaque and a $1,000 gift card for winners. For teams, the gift card must be used for a catered celebratory lunch and/or a UH-hosted team activity.
• Recognition for contributions that drive meaningful change at UH

Who Can Be Nominated?

Any full-time UH staff member or team who has successfully implemented an innovation. Self-nominations are welcome!

Nomination Requirements

Nominations must be submitted as a single PDF file on a rolling basis. Unsuccessful nomination maybe re-submitted six months after the previous submission.

• A description of the program, practice, product, or partnership that was created and implemented.
• The names of the individual or team members involved in concept design, development, and implementation.
• A summary of how innovation improved efficiency and its impact on the University of Houston community.
• Supervisor approval for all nominated individuals or teams.

How to Nominate

Nominations are accepted year-round. Submit your nomination as a single PDF to InnovationAwards@uh.edu.

Download Centennial Staff Innovation Award Nomination Template

Centennial Innovation Seed Grant

Do you have an innovative idea that could enhance UH operations, streamline workflows, or improve services? The UH Centennial Innovation Seed Grant provides up to $2,000 to help bring your idea to life! Up to 25 seed grants will be award in 2025.

Award

• Recipents will receive up to $2,000 to create or implement an innovative idea.
• Funds will be available for a 12 month period, must be spent according to the approved budget, and will be administered by the business office of the lead entity. 
• A progress report is due 6 months after the award commemencement and a final report is required at the end of the funding period.

Who Can Apply?

This grant is open to full-time UH staff, both individuals and teams.

Eligible Projects

• Pilot programs
• Workflow optimizations
• Technology development
• Service enhancements

Application Requirements

Proposals must be submitted as a single PDF file. Proposal submissions will be notified within six weeks of submission.

• Cover Sheet Requirements:
  • Names, positions, and email addresses of all team members.
  • Identification of the lead individual.
  • Supervisor, Department Chair/Head, Dean & VP approval for all applicants.
• Narrative Requirements:
  • Maximum of two pages (excluding cover sheet and budget).
  • Must use 12-point font, single-spaced, and may include graphics and references.
  • Detailed description of the proposed program, practice, product, or partnership as well as anticipated outcomes and measurements must be identified.
• Budget Requirements:
  • A detailed budget must be included.
  • Salary expenses are not permitted.

Unsuccessful proposals may be re-submitted 6 months after the previous submission. Due to anticipated volume, we may not be able to provide detailed feedback on submissions.

How to Apply

Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis, with up to 25 grants awarded in 2025. Submit your proposal to InnovationSeedGrants@uh.edu .