The FY26 Grand Challenge Initiative request for proposals is a solicitation for a catalytic and transformative approach to addressing one or more of the six Grand Challenge Solutions. The six Grand Challenge Solutions are rooted in the university’s core strengths and reflect its deeply collaborative, transdisciplinary approach to research, education, and community partnerships. The FAQs for the Grand Challenge Initiative (GCI) are continuously updated about the program and the submission process, so be sure to check the FAQs on a regular basis.
If you are part of a team that is planning to submit a GCI proposal (whether led by CHSS or by another college/school), please email the CHSS Associate Dean for Research, mschwiet@gmu.edu, no later than Thursday, December 18, 2025. Informing the Dean’s Office means that we can learn more about your project, review cost sharing requirements, and provide guidance and support on your proposal when the university reopens on Monday, January 5, 2026.
As noted in the guidelines, GCI investments (including all matching funds) should ultimately lead to additional revenues (e.g. sponsored projects, philanthropic gifts, partnership contracts, etc.) for the proposed initiative that are cumulatively at least five times the original investment by year 10. The proposals must demonstrate how they will achieve this growth.
Proposals will be submitted through Mason’s web-based internal grants platform from WizeHive. This platform is the same platform used for Mason’s limited submission opportunities, and CHSS’s FRDA Seed Funding Leading to External Funding, and Tenured Instructional Faculty Study Leave competitions. The platform requires that all faculty wishing to submit proposals must first set up a profile. To learn how to access and use the new platform, and set up a profile, you can review a training video, found HERE. You can create a profile at any time on the platform by logging into the platform using the Mason SSO.
The Grand Challenge Initiative 2026 platform will open on Monday, December 15th. Proposals must be submitted by February 2, 2026, at 11:59PM. Late proposal submissions will not be accepted. Questions regarding the GCI request for proposals or proposal submission should email GCI@gmu.edu.
December 10, 2025