Faith + Entrepreneurship Innovation Award
3rd L.I.F.E. Teaching Conference
As part of the 3rd Annual L.I.F.E. Teaching Conference, we are excited to present the Faith + Entrepreneurship Innovation Award, created to recognize educators and program leaders who are thoughtfully integrating faith and entrepreneurship in ways that shape students, campuses, and communities.
This award celebrates initiatives that move beyond theory to practice, where faith-informed values meaningfully influence entrepreneurial learning, leadership, and action both inside and outside the classroom.
Award Focus
The Faith + Entrepreneurship Innovation Award recognizes initiatives that demonstrate excellence in areas such as:
- Innovative course design or teaching strategies
- Learning experiences that deepen students’ understanding of faith-informed entrepreneurial thinking
- Co-curricular initiatives, including pitch competitions, student ventures, co-working spaces, mentoring programs, immersion trips, or campus-wide entrepreneurial ecosystems
Initiatives may be curricular, co-curricular, or programmatic in nature.
How to Apply
Submission Requirements
- Submit a 2 – 4 page narrative describing your initiative and its impact
- Include supporting materials, if applicable (syllabus excerpts, photos, participant feedback, metrics, or program artifacts)
Narrative Guidance
Your narrative may be organized in a format that best fits your initiative. The prompts below are provided as guidance to help you address the key elements reviewers will be looking for. You are not required to respond to each question individually.
- What inspired the creation of this initiative, and what purpose or need were you seeking to address?
- Describe the initiative and its design, including how faith meaningfully shapes entrepreneurial learning or practice.
- In what ways has this initiative influenced students, participants, or the broader campus or community? Share examples or indicators of impact.
- What makes this initiative distinctive, and why do you believe it represents innovation in the integration of faith and entrepreneurship?
- Who is this initiative designed for, and who has been involved thus far?
- How does this initiative contribute to your audiences growth in faith and entrepreneurship?
- How long has the initiative been in place, and how has it evolved over time?
- What do participants gain from engaging in this experience?
- What feedback, reflections, or outcomes demonstrate how participants have responded to the initiative?
- What milestones, successes, or meaningful outcomes have emerged since the initiative began?
Appendices (Optional):
Applicants may include supporting materials such as syllabus excerpts, photos, participant feedback, metrics, or program artifacts. Applicants are encouraged to curate materials carefully and select only those that most clearly support the application.
Submission Details
Email submissions to: Dr. Jen Bennett at benne183@miamioh.edu
Subject line: Faith + Entrepreneurship Innovation Award – [Your Name]
Application Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
How Submissions Will Be Reviewed
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee using the following criteria:
- Clarity of Purpose and Design
How well is the initiative designed in relation to its stated goals? Is there clear alignment between intention, structure, and outcomes? - Integration of Faith and Entrepreneurship
How thoughtfully are faith-informed values woven into entrepreneurial practice, leadership development, or learning experiences? - Innovation and Creativity
To what extent does the initiative introduce new approaches, ideas, or methods within faith and entrepreneurship education or programming? - Impact on Students and Community
What evidence demonstrates meaningful impact, such as student learning, engagement, formation, leadership development, or community influence? - Sustainability and Longevity
Does the initiative demonstrate potential for ongoing impact over time, rather than being a one-time experience? - Replicability and Transferability
Could elements of this initiative be adapted or replicated by other colleges or universities? Would others benefit from the ideas or model presented? - Overall Contribution and Significance
To what degree does the initiative advance the broader conversation and practice of faith-integrated entrepreneurship in higher education?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who reviews the applications?
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee made up of representatives from L.I.F.E. anchor schools, members of the L.I.F.E. team, and past Faith + Entrepreneurship Innovation Award recipients. Reviewers bring a range of perspectives from teaching, program leadership, and faith-integrated entrepreneurship work.
How are award recipients selected?
Award recipients are selected based on a holistic review of the submitted application materials, including the narrative and any supporting documentation. Judges evaluate each submission using the published review criteria, with attention to clarity of purpose, integration of faith and entrepreneurship, innovation, impact, sustainability, and potential for broader learning across institutions.
When and how will winners be announced?
Award recipients will be announced during the L.I.F.E. Teaching Conference on Thursday, November 5.
Can a program reapply if it has not previously won?
Yes. Programs that have applied in the past but have not yet received the award are welcome to reapply in future years, especially if the initiative has continued to grow, evolve, or deepen in impact.
Learn More About This Years L.I.F.E. Teaching Conference
Explore innovative ways to integrate faith and entrepreneurship in higher education.
