UPLift Challenge
A campus-wide invitation to help us reimagine spaces where Tartans gather, unwind and belong.
Built by our community, for our community.
UPLift is a placemaking initiative that empowers CMU's students, faculty and staff to re-envision and improve shared spaces across campus.
An interactive campus map, produced in partnership with our Enterprise Space and Information Management team, enables community members to identify spaces in need of improvement and connect around shared ideas.
The university is relaunching UPLift for the 2026-2027 academic year. The initiative's focus remains the same: expand opportunities for creative connection, a healthier community and respectful dialogue.
By the Numbers
59 +
Proposals received in original cycle
$ 25,000
Individual project budget for Fall 2026 submissions
8
Office hours scheduled to discuss proposals
Phase 1: Envision an Improvement Project; Drop a Pin
Use our interactive map, developed in partnership with our Enterprise Space and Information Management team, to identify a potential project space.
Community members can use this map to spot overlapping ideas across the CMU community.
- Drop a pin and describe how the space is used today.
- Share how you'd improve the space and even upload a photo.
- Identify your interest in serving as a team lead, co-lead, contributor or resource for the project.
Phase 2: Apply for UPLift Funding
CMU staff, students and faculty can apply for UPLift funding.
Strong proposals do the following:
- Demonstrate broad campus benefit across multiple populations.
- Represent a team that includes student, faculty and staff members.
- Show clear alignment with the initiative's guiding principles.
- Include realistic implementation considerations.
- Generally remain under the $25,000 budget threshold.
- Utilize a visual asset, such as a photo or video, if applicable.
Have a question?
Guiding Principles
Every proposal will be evaluated against the same five commitments:
1. Connection
Foster meaningful interaction across disciplines, identities and roles, strengthening relationships and shared experiences across campus.
2. Sustainability
Demonstrate long-term viability through thoughtful design, durability, environmental responsibility and realistic upkeep.
3. Wellness
Support physical, emotional, social or mental well-being through environments built for balance, restoration and engagement.
4. Accessibility
Improve the inclusivity, usability and welcoming nature of campus spaces for a broad range of community members and needs.
5. Belonging
Cultivate community, comfort and ownership, especially where CMU's identity and spirit can be made more visible.
Key Dates: 2026-2027 Cycle
Sept. 14, 2026
Application period opens.
Oct. 4, 2026
Application period closes.
Oct. 12-30, 2026
Committee review period.
Mid-November
Review Committee considers UPLift applications.
Nov. 16-20, 2026
UPLift teams learn if their project is funded.
Early December 2026
Review Committee shares its list of funded UPLift projects.
Spring to Summer 2027
UPLift projects come to life!
Virtual Office Hours
UPLift will also support virtual office hours, where teams can talk through potential project ideas and implementation considerations with architecture, design and facility experts:
Review Committee Structure
A team of up to 15 Tartans — students, staff and faculty — will evaluate and approve funding for each round of UPLift projects.
The committee will evaluate each application for principle alignment, campus impact and budget fit.
- Chelsea Blackburn Cohen, President’s Office
- Elizabeth Koch, Office of Student Involvement and Traditions
- Cameron Drayton, Graduate Student Assembly, Heinz College
- Luca Cyrus, Undergraduate Student Senate, College of Engineering
- Nathan Cottrell, Architecture, College of Fine Arts
- Angie Yang, Tepper School of Business
- Anna Matthews, Information Systems, Dietrich and Heinz Colleges
- Adrian Zhuang, School of Computer Science
- Emily Callahan, Staff Council, University Advancement
- Kara Kessler, University Communications and Marketing
- Stefan Gruber, School of Architecture
- Haeyoung Kim, School of Design
- Jessica Benner, University Libraries
- Utkarsh Ghildyal, Campus Design and Facility Development
- Mark Wesolosky, Facilities Management Services
- Angie Lusk, Wellness and Meaning-Making Programs
- Ken Hovis, Mellon College of Science
- Katherine A. Flanigan, College of Engineering
Have a Space to UPLift?
Use it to drop a pin, share an idea or find a team.