Service-Learning Implementation Grants

The Implementation Grant program awards funding to UVM faculty members and student groups for the implementation of projects that combine academic study with community impact.  “Community impact” in these programs is defined as making a difference for a public good – partners may include, but are not limited to, nonprofits, educational institutions, government agencies, or public-serving programs of for-profit organizations.  

Activities    

Funding will be provided for:

Service-Learning Courses: the development or implementation of courses which include a community-based project that both enhances student learning and meets an expressed community need.Grants are awarded in two categories: Planning and Project Implementation.

Grant Details

Grant Category	Who may apply?	Maximum Amt. Awarded	Deadline(s)	Maximum times awarded	Total Awarded Per Year
Project Implementation Grants	Faculty members or Students (with faculty support)	$300	Rolling (allow at least three weeks for review)	Three times per course/project/initiative	10-12

Guidelines and Application Information

Project Implementation Grants are awarded on a rolling, first-come-first-served basis each year to support expenses associated with carrying out a service-learning course.  Faculty members or students (with a letter of faculty support) may apply for funding of up to $300.  Applications are accepted at any time.

Examples of permissible expenses might include:

• Cost of specific materials, supplies, and resources necessary for completing a service-learning project;
• Transportation costs for students to travel to a community site, or for community partners to travel to campus to meet with students and/or faculty (please note our guidelines regarding student transportation – we can NOT fund individual student mileage, and you must follow risk management guidelines related to field trips);
• Costs associated with evaluating or assessing the community project.

Please note that we cannot make any payments directly to students for reimbursement, mileage, or any other expense.  All expenses should be processed directly between the university and the vendor.  In addition, project implementation grants may not include any compensation/salary.  If awarded a Project Implementation Grant, the CUPS Office will provide the faculty member with a chartsring to use in creating and filing an expense report.  All reimbursed expenses are subject to the university-wide Peoplesoft guidelines.  The Peoplesoft travel and expense report manual can be found here.

Implementation grants may be awarded a maximum of THREE TIMES for any given course or research project.   After that point, we expect faculty members to seek and secure institutionalized funding through their department, school, or college.  

Budget / Reporting Requirements:

• Faculty members must obtain the support and cooperation of the budget manager within their department to process grant-related expenses;
• A brief report of activities and expenses must be submitted to the CUPS Office.
  

Application Process and Requirements:

Faculty members, or students, should submit a brief narrative (less than one page) and a detailed budget to the CUPS Office.  

• The project narrative should include information about the identified community partner, and an explanation of benefits to all participants (students and community) resulting from the project.
• Student applicants are required to obtain a note of support from a faculty member.
• Please indicate whether, and how, your proposal aligns with one of our special funding categories.

Proposals are reviewed by CUPS Staff; applicants must allow at least three weeks for proposals to be reviewed before expenses are required (we will NOT fund previously expensed items).

Last modified February 14 2013 02:07 PM