Innovation Seed Grant – Levitetz Leadership Program

Housed in New College at The University of Alabama, the Levitetz Seed Grant initiative is one part of the Levitetz Leadership Program (LLP) made possible through the generous gift of New College alumnus, Jeff Levitetz. UA students are eligible to apply for grants to create a new or to further develop an existing business idea, social entrepreneurship project, or creative project. Students who are full-time UA employees are ineligible for the seed grants. Further, projects that are part of dissertation or thesis research are not eligible. Seed grant recipients must be enrolled in classes in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026.

Two levels of funding are available:

· Small Grant (up to $1,000)

· Large Grant (up to $3,000). To be eligible for the large grant, you must have received previous funding for an existing project. Students receiving funding last year from LLP are eligible to re-apply this year. You will be required to provide on the application information about previous funding.

Seed grant recipients will participate in an in-person formal presentation of their project in front of judges on March 27, 2026, at the annual Levitetz Leadership and Innovation Day. Additionally, funded students are required to attend the following:

· Seed grant orientation, November 13, 2025, at 5:30 pm (Location TBA)

· Collaborative workshop, January 15, 2026, at 5:30 pm (Location TBA)

· How to Give a Pitch workshop, February 11, 2026 at 5:30 pm (Location TBA)

Recipients must submit a final report by August 30, 2026.

Application

Complete the application form below. You will need to provide a full description of your project, budget information, and names, emails, and CWID #s of all team members. Given the length of the application, we do not recommend completing it on a mobile device. Please make sure your budget request reflects the amounts cited above. In other words, do not submit a budget with $10,000 in expenses. Applications are due October 15, 2025. Recipients of funded projects will be notified by November 7, 2025.

Innovation Seed Grant Application

Your proposal will be evaluated on:

General fit with the goals and mission of the Levitetz Leadership Program
Creativity: In what ways is this project unique or innovative?
Impact: In what ways will this project impact the intended community/audience/market?
Feasibility: Does the proposal show evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to make this project happen within the time given?