Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When will the Phase I winners of Waves of Innovation be announced?

A: The WI Committee will meet to review the proposals in December and will pass on its recommendations to the president who will review them and decide which primary investigators will move on to Phase II and prepare a full application, budget, and TED-style talk for March 2019 at Smothers Theatre. Primary Investigators will be notified by email and an announcement of the winners will be posted on University Community News as soon as the finalists are known.

Q. What's next for Waves of Innovation?

A: Submissions are due by December 3, 2018 through the Web form.

Q. Can adjunct professors submit proposals?

A: Yes, any employee of Pepperdine University (as well as students) may submit a proposal to Waves of Innovation. Implementation of the idea is not required of the submitter, but the submitter must be employed by the University to work on the Grant as Principal Investigator if funded. Former adjunct professors or other friends of the University may work as consultants on a Waves of Innovation project.

Q. Can one person be a part of two different proposals?

A: Yes, one person may submit more than one proposal and/or be part of multiple collaboration teams.

Q. Can alumni participate in Waves of Innovation?

A: Alumni are encouraged to participate through collaboration with current students, faculty, or staff.

Q. How much money will be awarded?

A: Successful Phase I submissions will be eligible to participate in Phase II and will receive grants up to $5,000 to help them prepare a complete proposal for Phase II. Phase II will provide additional funding to facilitate expansion and implementation of selected concepts. The final proposal(s) may be awarded up to $150,000.

Q. Does the administration have some grand plan here? Any hidden agenda?

A: This program is open to proposals from faculty, staff, and students from all areas of the University. The administration does not have any "pet projects" or other motives for this program. President Benton believes that the Pepperdine community is a powerful source for improving the operations and developing new ideas and that the Waves of Innovation program is a good way to move the University forward.

Q. How will proposals be evaluated?

A: The Waves of Innovation committee will evaluate proposals according to the criteria listed on the website; proposals judged to have the highest potential will be selected for first-round funding.

Q. Do I have to complete the idea I propose by myself?

A: Absolutely not! First round funding is intended to help launch good ideas, build coalitions, and move projects forward. You do not need to carry the entire burden of your idea and its implementation alone.

More questions? Please call (310) 506-4501 or email innovation@pepperdine.edu.