Decorative Image Representing Innovation
Decorative Image Representing Innovation

Faculty Innovation Grants (FIG)

Bryant University has a long history of innovation in the classroom. The Office of the Provost awards up to five grants to faculty members introducing a substantial innovation into their Bryant classrooms. 

Innovation grant initiatives typically address topics such as: 

  • New type of applied/experiential learning experiece
  • Innovative and sustainable use of technology (including AI) to enhance student learning
  • Programs or co-curricular experiences that increase faculty-student collaboration on research
  • Projects in which students engage in independent learning outside of the classroom
Who is eligible to apply?

All full-time faculty (including both term and tenure/tenure-track)

All full-time faculty (including both term and tenure/tenure-track)

What are the key application dates?

Call for Proposals

The call for proposals is typically sent out via email from the Office of the Provost in late Spring

Review Period

During early summer, proposals are reviewed by the previous year's Innovation Grant awardees, the Office of the Provost, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), and Information Services (IS). 

Call for Proposals

The call for proposals is typically sent out via email from the Office of the Provost in late Spring

Review Period

During early summer, proposals are reviewed by the previous year's Innovation Grant awardees, the Office of the Provost, the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE), and Information Services (IS). 

Use and reimbursement of grant money

Grant monies may be used to fund expenses such as software, hardware, conferences, training seminars, or educational materials. They may not serve as a stipend for developing a new initiative.

All payments and reimbursements should occur by May 31st of the following year unless prior arrangements are made with the Academic Affairs Director of Finance. Distribution of grant funds cannot run into the following fiscal year.

Grant monies may be used to fund expenses such as software, hardware, conferences, training seminars, or educational materials. They may not serve as a stipend for developing a new initiative.

All payments and reimbursements should occur by May 31st of the following year unless prior arrangements are made with the Academic Affairs Director of Finance. Distribution of grant funds cannot run into the following fiscal year.

Presentation and Summary Requirements

Faculty receiving Innovation Grants are required to present their innovation and results at REDay, the Annual Teaching and Learning Summit, or some other agreed upon public event, following the grant award. 

In addition, by the end of the fiscal year, awardees must submit a brief report regarding their experience and activities undertaken with the grant proceeds. 

Faculty receiving Innovation Grants are required to present their innovation and results at REDay, the Annual Teaching and Learning Summit, or some other agreed upon public event, following the grant award. 

In addition, by the end of the fiscal year, awardees must submit a brief report regarding their experience and activities undertaken with the grant proceeds. 

2025-2026 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Stefanie Boyer, Professor, Marketing Department. 

"AI-powered Tools for Teaching, Learning, and Amplifying Work"

John Howard, Lecturer, History, Literature, and the Arts Department.  

"Journeys in Creative Writing Innovation Grant"

Emi Kanemoto, Assistant Professor, Communication and Language Studies Department. 

"Intercultural Dialogue & Engagement: Personal and Academic Growth Together"   

Huan Kuang, Assistant Professor, Finance Department. 

"AI for Non-CS Students: Teaching Python and Building Finance Solutions with AI Assistance"

Jerrica Rowlett, Assistant Professor, Communication and Language Studies Department. 

"Breaking Digital Addiction" 

2024-2025 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Katayoun Alidadi, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Politics, Law, and Society

“Development of a new Politics and the Law (PLW) class on Real Estate Law”

Asli Ascioglu, Ph.D., Professor of Finance

“Professional Development Opportunity in Sustainable Finance”

Maura Dowling, M.A., Lecturer of Finance and 
Valerie Leduc, M.B.A., Lecturer of Management

“IMPACT Boston: Donut Economics Pilot Case Study for Creative Land Use to Strengthen Community”

Gao Niu, Ph.D., Associate Professor Mathematics and Economics 

“The Lego Math Project”

Joan Zaretti, Ph.D., Lecturer of History, Literature, and the Arts
“Bryant Community Choir”

2023-2024 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Lindsay Amper, Ph.D., Lecturer of Psychology
“Counseling Theory and Practice – Applied Learning Opportunities in the Community”

Jennifer Horan, Ph.D.,  Lecturer of History, Literature, and the Arts
“Engaged Humanities: Using Diasporic Literature to Meet the Goals of Experiential Learning with Social Impact”

Jongsung Kim, Ph.D., Professor of Economics

“Enhanced Classroom and Flipped Learning in Econometrics”

Robert Polatano, Ph.D., Lecturer of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

“Student Engagement with the Environmental Sciences through Virtual and Augmented Reality”

2022-2023 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Kathleen Daly, Ph.D., Lecturer in History 

“Using in-depth Historical Case Studies to Create HIS 400-level Course: Consumer Culture in U.S. History”

Martha Kuhlman, Ph.D., Professor of Comparative Literature

“Workshop and Student Project Support for LCS 468: The Graphic Novel”

Gao Niu, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics
“Construction of Distribution Boards for Statistical and Probability Classes”

Xiaofei Pan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics
“Collecting Real-world Incentivized Data to Identify Causality in Economics Decision-making”

Tingting Zhao, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics 

“Development of an IOS Machine-Learning Model”

2021-2022 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics 

“The HP VR Collaboration Project”

Ella Browning, Ph.D.,  Assistant Professor of English and Cultural Studies & Writing Coordinator 

“Professional Development Fund for Writing Workshop Faculty”

Terri Hasseler, Ph.D.,Professor of English and Cultural Studies

“Proposal for Theater of the Oppressed Forum Performances”

Katayoun Alidadi, Ph.D. , Assistant Professor of History and Social Sciences

“Development of a new PLW class on Women and the Law: Diverse Narratives and Actors of Change”

Pre-2020 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

2019-2020 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Emotional Quotient (EQ) in Education and Research”

Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, and Allison Schwachman Kaminaga, Ph.D., Lecturer of Economics
“Fed Challenge, A Competition Designed to Bring Real-world Economics into the Classroom”

Lori Coakley, Ph.D., Professor of Management and Allison Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
“Virtual Reality for Prototyping”

Ryan Marnane, Ph.D., Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Immersive Story Telling”

Kristen Berkos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communication
“Data Visualization Lab for Non-verbal Communication”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Artificial Intelligence and Selling”

Sharmin Attaran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Google Ads/Online Marketing Challenge”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Emotional Quotient (EQ) in Education and Research”

Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, and Allison Schwachman Kaminaga, Ph.D., Lecturer of Economics
“Fed Challenge, A Competition Designed to Bring Real-world Economics into the Classroom”

Lori Coakley, Ph.D., Professor of Management and Allison Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
“Virtual Reality for Prototyping”

Ryan Marnane, Ph.D., Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Immersive Story Telling”

Kristen Berkos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Communication
“Data Visualization Lab for Non-verbal Communication”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Artificial Intelligence and Selling”

Sharmin Attaran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Google Ads/Online Marketing Challenge”

2018-2019 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies and Joan Zaretti, Ph.D., Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Enhancing Engagement and Interactivity for Music Learning and Education”

Tom Roach, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Life and How to Live It/Death and How to Diet: Innovative Immersive Pedagogy for Humanities Literature Course”

Katayoun Alidadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History and Social Sciences
“Enhancing Student Engagement by Flipping International Law Class”

Dirk Primus, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management
“Identification of ‘Wicked Problems’ at Bryant University and RoboBee Site Visit for Selected Students”

Crystal Jiang, Ph.D., Professor of Management
“Incorporate Story-telling in Teaching Innovation Management Course and Teaching Students How to Incorporate Story-telling”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Using LINUX and Python to Develop Social Media Listening Program for Class”

Chen Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Robotics Course Development”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies and Joan Zaretti, Ph.D., Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Enhancing Engagement and Interactivity for Music Learning and Education”

Tom Roach, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Life and How to Live It/Death and How to Diet: Innovative Immersive Pedagogy for Humanities Literature Course”

Katayoun Alidadi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History and Social Sciences
“Enhancing Student Engagement by Flipping International Law Class”

Dirk Primus, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management
“Identification of ‘Wicked Problems’ at Bryant University and RoboBee Site Visit for Selected Students”

Crystal Jiang, Ph.D., Professor of Management
“Incorporate Story-telling in Teaching Innovation Management Course and Teaching Students How to Incorporate Story-telling”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Using LINUX and Python to Develop Social Media Listening Program for Class”

Chen Zhang, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Robotics Course Development”

2017-2018 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Janet Dean, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Developing Tribal Digital Archives as Part of Course”

Gaytha Langlois, Ph.D., Professor of Science and Technology
“Develop Sustainability ‘Plug In’ Modules”

Stephanie Mott, Lecturer of Science and Technology
“Developing Anatomy Lab Manual to Blend with IWORX”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Exploration and Recording of Providence Sub-cultures”

Elzotbek Rustambekov, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management
“Developing Expertise for Business Concept Videos”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Suhong Li, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Analytics for Wearable Devices”

John Poirier, Senior Lecturer of Management
“Human Resources Analytics Training”

Janet Dean, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Developing Tribal Digital Archives as Part of Course”

Gaytha Langlois, Ph.D., Professor of Science and Technology
“Develop Sustainability ‘Plug In’ Modules”

Stephanie Mott, Lecturer of Science and Technology
“Developing Anatomy Lab Manual to Blend with IWORX”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Exploration and Recording of Providence Sub-cultures”

Elzotbek Rustambekov, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Management
“Developing Expertise for Business Concept Videos”


Funded by the Applied Analytics Center:

Suhong Li, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Analytics for Wearable Devices”

John Poirier, Senior Lecturer of Management
“Human Resources Analytics Training”

2016-2017 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Sharmin Attaran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Leveraging Advanced Social Media for Experiential Learning”

Dennis Bline, Ph.D., Professor of Accounting and MaryElla Gainor, Senior Lecturer of Accounting
“Mastering Problem Solving Skills”

Kristen Hokeness, Ph.D., Professor of Science and Technology
“Flipping the Biology Classroom”

Maura Dowling, Lecturer of Finance
“Introducing “Creative Systems Learning” to Finance Students”

Sam Mirmirani, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Edi Tebaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics
“Applying Economic Theory to Real-World Problems”

Sharmin Attaran, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Leveraging Advanced Social Media for Experiential Learning”

Dennis Bline, Ph.D., Professor of Accounting and MaryElla Gainor, Senior Lecturer of Accounting
“Mastering Problem Solving Skills”

Kristen Hokeness, Ph.D., Professor of Science and Technology
“Flipping the Biology Classroom”

Maura Dowling, Lecturer of Finance
“Introducing “Creative Systems Learning” to Finance Students”

Sam Mirmirani, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Edi Tebaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics, Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics
“Applying Economic Theory to Real-World Problems”

2015-2016 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Using Cartoon Technology to Teach Sales”

Lookman Buky Folami, Ph.D., Professor of Accounting
“Development of New Graduate Course on Business Valuation”

Janet Prichard, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics and Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems
“3D Printing”

Srdan Zdravkovic, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing
“Experiential Learning Project in the International Business Program”

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Using Cartoon Technology to Teach Sales”

Lookman Buky Folami, Ph.D., Professor of Accounting
“Development of New Graduate Course on Business Valuation”

Janet Prichard, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics and Kevin Mentzer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Systems
“3D Printing”

Srdan Zdravkovic, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing
“Experiential Learning Project in the International Business Program”

2014-2015 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Allison Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
“Develop a Flipped Classroom Approach to Teaching Upper-Level Child Psychopathology Course”

Mara Derderian, Lecturer of Finance
“Work Toward Establishing a Financial Planning Track in the Finance Department in Partnership with the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards”

Terri Hasseler, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“The Creativity Sketchbook Challenge”

Jack Trifts, Ph.D., Professor of Finance
“Develop Use of Technology to Support Flipping the Classroom”

Allison Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
“Develop a Flipped Classroom Approach to Teaching Upper-Level Child Psychopathology Course”

Mara Derderian, Lecturer of Finance
“Work Toward Establishing a Financial Planning Track in the Finance Department in Partnership with the Certified Financial Planning Board of Standards”

Terri Hasseler, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“The Creativity Sketchbook Challenge”

Jack Trifts, Ph.D., Professor of Finance
“Develop Use of Technology to Support Flipping the Classroom”

2013-2014 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics
“Technology that Gives Students Opportunity to Apply Their Knowledge During Class”

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Mobile Sales Lab”

Sandra Enos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology
“Teaching Creativity in the Sociology Classroom and Beyond”

Martha Kuhlman, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Artists to Collaborate with Graphic Novel Students”

Paul Swift, Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Preparing for the Role of Game Master in Live-Action Role-Playing Reacting to the Past Game”

Aziz Berdiev, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Economics
“Technology that Gives Students Opportunity to Apply Their Knowledge During Class”

Stephanie Boyer, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
“Mobile Sales Lab”

Sandra Enos, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sociology
“Teaching Creativity in the Sociology Classroom and Beyond”

Martha Kuhlman, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Artists to Collaborate with Graphic Novel Students”

Paul Swift, Lecturer of English and Cultural Studies
“Preparing for the Role of Game Master in Live-Action Role-Playing Reacting to the Past Game”

2012-2013 Faculty Innovation Grant Recipients

Richard Glass, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Collaborate with Students to Co-design an Improved Computer Information Systems Course”

A. Can Inci, Ph.D., Professor of Finance
“Purchase Software to Enhance His Corporate Finance Course Innovations”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Community Ethnography Course Support”

Srdan Zdravkovic, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing
“Materials and Training to Engage International Business Students in Unique International Cross-University Initiative”

Richard Glass, Ph.D., Professor of Information Systems and Analytics
“Collaborate with Students to Co-design an Improved Computer Information Systems Course”

A. Can Inci, Ph.D., Professor of Finance
“Purchase Software to Enhance His Corporate Finance Course Innovations”

Alex Perullo, Ph.D., Professor of English and Cultural Studies
“Community Ethnography Course Support”

Srdan Zdravkovic, Ph.D., Professor of Marketing
“Materials and Training to Engage International Business Students in Unique International Cross-University Initiative”