Mini-Grants for Innovation Projects

NITIC is continually looking for ways to support expanding technician-level curriculum in emerging job clusters. This includes, but is not limited to, the following potential fields: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), IT Automation, Quantum Computing, DevOps, FinTech, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Encryption Technologies. Some of these areas have seen incremental progress across community colleges, and others are newly emerging and require additional support as their demand grows.

NITIC will support the cultivation and development of new initiatives by offering emerging IT mini grants. Those colleges that are awardedare encouraged to plan for a future ATE proposal. NITIC offers support with developing ATE proposals including connecting project teams to ATE mentoring resources.

Annual
Open Call

Application opens April 14th. Deadline for submission is June 1st.
- Complete Online Application
- Submit narrative, budget information, and letter of support
- Technical assistance office hours will be offered May 9^th from 10:00-10:30 AM EST and May 15^th from 2:00-2:30 PM EST. You can register here.
Final award determined by NITIC leadership – June 27th
Award period: September 1, 2025 – August 31, 2026

Funding not awarded during annual open call can be awarded on a rolling basis based on merit and alignment to NITIC focus areas.

Emerging IT Innovation Projects

NITIC is pleased to announce this Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking innovative emerging technology projects for funding through mini-grants. We invite proposals from eligible organizations interested in advancing education solutions that address current challenges or enhance capabilities in various sectors.

While traditional areas of technology are increasing in demand, it is also critical for the Center to continually look forward to support expanding technician-level curriculum in emerging job clusters. Some of these areas have seen incremental progress across community colleges, but most have not been widely adopted. Others are newly emerging and require additional support as their demand grows.

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants: Open to public community colleges in the United States that are members of NITIC IT Innovation Network (ITIN) community of practice.
Multiple Proposals: An institution may submit multiple proposals in a round as long as each proposal details a separate, unique project. Each project will require its own proposal.
Project Focus: Proposals must focus on technician-level projects in emerging technology areas such as (but not limited to): Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), IT Automation, Quantum Computing, Blockchain Technology, Encryption Technologies, Edge Computing, 5G, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, Renewable Energy Technology, Biotechnology and Healthcare Innovations, Fintech, Sustainable Agriculture Technologies, DevOps, Smart City Solutions, Other cutting-edge technology areas

Grant Information

Grant Size: Mini-grants of $10,000 will be awarded to single institutions.
Number of Grants: Approximately 6-8 grants will be awarded under this RFP.
Grant Duration: Projects should typically be completed within 12 months.

Download the 2025 Spring RFP here

Innovation Project Application

Innovation Projects Awarded

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

Project Lead: Lauren Campbell
Project Name: AI Future League: Assessing AI Skills and Curriculum Needs Through Cross-Disciplinary Collaborative Problem-Solving

Forsyth Tech Community College

Project Lead: Thomas Brown
Project Name: Career Exploration in IoT with Automation, Cybersecurity and Robotics

Grand Rapids Community College

Project Lead: Jonnathan Resendiz
Project Name: AI Capstone Project for Technician Education: Solving Real-World Problems with Industry Data

Johnston Community College

Project Lead: Tim Boyd
Project Name: AI Program Development

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Project Lead: Marcelo Guerra Hahn
Project Name: Flipped Classroom with ChatGPT

North Arkansas College

Project Lead: Nell Bonds
Project Name: Artificial Intelligence Summer Institute