<p>Vertically Integrated Projects at Boise State is uniquely poised to support institutional evolution and student development. With remembrance of our humble beginnings as a teaching university, we are continually finding new ways to balance excellence in teaching and the university&rsquo;s growing research emphasis. VIP as a methodology is emerging as a foundational approach to finding that balance while building an interdisciplinary culture. We are focused on seeding innovation within our current university (institutionalizing multi-disciplinary collaborative work amongst faculty and students), innovating our future university (reimagining teaching, research teams, and core curriculum), and innovating for our communities by engaging our students in new learning experiences to tackle large, authentic social and global challenges. Our willingness to experiment and take risks enables our VIP projects to make progress in everything from the biomedical application of plasma wound treatment, the science of art preservation, and shelter buildings for those in need of disaster-relief. Our commitment to cross-disciplinary collaboration and unique position with access to all colleges and their students allows us to extend VIP&rsquo;s structure throughout our campus. Our projects will allow us to engage with all colleges and with critical topics in public policy, ecology, and visual storytelling to name a few. One project has even branched further, incorporating our library staff as VIP leaders. This unprecedented level of access reflects our nature as a welcoming harbor for all research projects, regardless of their original academic home. VIP at Boise State is a melting pot of innovation. With many more projects to come, we will continue bridging disciplines to deliver strong, valuable, and viable products and solutions to pressing community challenges with global implications.</p>