Applications for Applied Learning Travel are decided by a multidisciplinary committee. The committee meets four times throughout the year. Deadlines for applications are: the second Friday of September, November, February, and April. Applications that are submitted after these deadlines will be determined in the following cycle. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to the Applied Learning Director.

Proposals for funding from Applied Learning Travel should fall into one of three categories: (1) giving a peer-reviewed conference presentation about an applied learning program at Western; (2) attending a workshop to develop grant-writing skills to support an applied learning program at Western; and (3) visiting a site the faculty/staff member intends to use as part of a study away experience in order to determine logistical matters and feasibility.

For applications in Category 1, priority will be given to applied learning conferences, not discipline-related conferences. Examples of applied learning conferences at which faculty have presented in the past include Campus Compact Statewide and Regional Conferences, American Democracy Project, and Council on Undergraduate Research National Meeting and Workshops. Travel to discipline-related conferences will only be funded if the application demonstrates the link of the conference to one of the four applied learning areas (independent research/project, internship/practicum, service-learning, and study away). The application should include a copy of the presentation submission, and if available, notification of acceptance.

For applications in Category 2, the committee expects the applicant to work with the Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs, Keith Roberts, to identify a potential funding source and to have a project idea to be developed at the grant-writing workshop in advance of requesting Applied Learning Travel funds. The application for Applied Learning Travel Funds should provide evidence of these steps being taken. Individuals funded to attend grant-writing workshops will be expected to submit a proposal for external funding within one year of their travel date.

For applications in Category 3, the committee expects applicants to have a professional presentation scheduled on-site amongst peers (e.g., in education, healthcare, law, business, etc.), in addition to exploring the site for future Western study away courses. The application should describe how the travel will establish permanent contacts to enable the study away short course to continue, and a letter from Western’s Director of Study Away should be included. Although not required, applications for Applied Learning Travel Funds that show effort to seek external funding sources to support expenses (in either the pre-trip or actual applied learning experience) will be given priority. The proposal will be stronger to the extent that that it provides evidence of how the applied learning experience will integrate faculty from different disciplines in educating Western students. Click here for an example of a successful application.

Travel funded by Applied Learning must clearly link to an applied learning area: study abroad/travel, independent research/project, practicum/internship, or service-learning. It must not be normal faculty development presentations or research.

Funding amounts will typically be $1,000 or less for domestic travel or $2,000 or less for international travel, and will cover actual expenses. When possible, faculty traveling together should share expenses (i.e., car rental).