2025/26 Development Awards
Applications open October 8, 2025 • $2,500 in funding per institution • Limited funds available
The Development Awards provide up to $125,000 in total funding to support faculty-led co-curricular initiatives that prepare students for e-Fest 2026 and strengthen entrepreneurship education on campus.
All eligible schools receive a $2,500 award through a simplified online application process.
Eligibility:
Only faculty or staff at a 4-year college or university in North America are eligible to apply. Students may not apply.
Before you begin, please have the following ready:
-
A completed W-9 form for your institution
-
The mailing address and contact details for the individual who will receive the check at your college or university
Click here for a complete list of e-Fest Development Grant Rules & Eligibility
Development Award Applications Are Now Closed Thank you for your interest in the e-Fest Development Awards. We’ve reached our funding limit for 2025, and applications are now closed. We’re grateful for the incredible response and for the faculty and staff who continue to support undergraduate entrepreneurship on their campuses. Please check back next year for new funding opportunities. — The e-Fest Team
Development Award Funds
Development Awards are designed to support undergraduate, student-focused entrepreneurship activities—including school business competitions, workshops, co-curricular programs, and/or the development of one or more e-Fest teams.
Recipients are expected to:
-
Encourage and support the formation of at least one undergraduate e-Fest team
-
Ensure a student team from their institution submits to the online round of e-Fest 2026 (January 7 – March 1, 2026)
Awards are limited and applications are reviewed for eligibility in line with e-Fest rules. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so early application is strongly encouraged.
Please Note
-
Applications must be submitted by a faculty or staff member engaged in entrepreneurship education (who may also serve as the student team advisor)
-
Each college or university may receive one award per cycle
-
Awards are issued as $2,500 checks payable to the institution (not to a school, center, or department within the institution)
-
Processing time for award checks is typically 8–10 weeks
-
You may save and return to your application before submitting
-
EIX.org offers free, peer-reviewed entrepreneurship teaching resources, research, and articles
-
e-Fest is sponsored by EIX and the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and hosted by the University of St. Thomas Schulze School of Entrepreneurship in Minneapolis
-
Colleges and universities affiliated with an EIX editor are not eligible to receive Development Awards
Deadline
Applications will be accepted from October 8 – December 31, 2025, or until funds are exhausted.
📩 Questions? Email us at [email protected].
Please do not contact the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation directly.
