Applications now open for Ohio University Experiential Learning funding

The Fall application period is now open for OHIO’s Experiential Learning funding opportunities, which support undergraduate students, faculty, staff and student organizations in pursuing and creating experiences that complement academic coursework and help students develop practical, professional and interpersonal skills.

This year, OHIO’s Office of Experiential Learning will begin administering two additional awards – awards that were previously overseen by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity.  These include the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund and the Undergraduate Travel Fund, both of which provide students additional avenues to pursue research and creative activity and to share their work beyond campus.

OHIO identifies six types of experiential learning: internships, research opportunities, creative activity, community engagement, study away/study abroad and leadership programming. These experiences provide students with opportunities to apply knowledge in real-world settings while strengthening critical thinking, building practical skills and fostering self-awareness and social and civic responsibility.

Student Experiential Learning Awards
The Student Experiential Learning Awards provide competitive awards ranging from $100 to $1,500 to eligible undergraduate students pursuing qualifying experiential learning opportunities.

Students may use the awards to help offset eligible expenses associated with experiences such as internships, research, creative activity, community engagement, leadership programming and study away or study abroad.

The awards are designed to help remove financial barriers that could otherwise prevent students from participating in opportunities that complement their academic coursework.

The learning process also extends beyond the experience itself. Student award recipients complete pre- and post-experience reflection activities through Canvas which contextualize the experience and encourage them to consider what they anticipate learning, how they are applying their knowledge and skills, and how the experience translates to their academic and professional goals. 

Students applying for the Student Experiential Learning Awards should be prepared to describe their proposed experience, provide a detailed budget and explain how they plan to reflect on their learning. Because many experiential learning opportunities require advance planning, students are encouraged to consider opportunities for the following semester or academic year and begin applications early.

The application deadline for the fall semester award cycle is October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Those selected for awards will be informed by week 13 of the semester. Students are welcome to attend information sessions on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 6-7 p.m. or Monday, Oct. 5, from noon to 1 p.m. via Teams. The links to the TEAMs meetings can be found on the funding resources page: https://www.ohio.edu/student-success/experiential-learning/funding/student-experiential-learning-awards.

Faculty & Staff Experiential Learning Stewardship Grants
The Office of Experiential Learning also administers the Faculty & Staff Experiential Learning Stewardship Grant, which provides up to $5,000 per proposal to support new or expanded experiential learning opportunities facilitated by OHIO faculty, staff and student organizations.

These grants are designed to facilitate faculty and staff development of experiences that directly engage students with communities, organizations, research, creative activity and other environments beyond traditional classroom learning.

The application deadline for the fall semester award cycle is October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Those selected for awards will be informed by week 13 of the semester. Faculty and Staff are welcome to attend information sessions on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 6 p.m. or Monday, Oct. 5, at noon via Teams. The TEAMs links can be found on the funding resources page: https://www.ohio.edu/student-success/experiential-learning/funding/faculty-staff-stewardship-grants.

Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund
Formerly a part of the Research Division, the Provost’s Undergraduate Research Fund provides awards of up to $1,500 to support undergraduate research and creative activity and is intended to provide students with financial support as they pursue research or creative projects that deepen their engagement with their academic disciplines.

The application deadline is October 1, 2026, at 4 p.m. Those selected for awards will be informed by week 13 of the semester.

Undergraduate Travel Fund
The Undergraduate Travel Fund provides undergraduate students with up to $500 to support travel to conferences and other venues where they present research results, creative works, or activities. The fund is designed to provide students with opportunities to share their work with audiences beyond OHIO while gaining experience presenting in professional and academic settings.

Applications for the Travel Award are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted.

Faculty & Staff Motor Pool Grant
The Faculty & Staff Motor Pool Grant provides another way for faculty and staff to create experiential learning opportunities by facilitating access to university motor pool resources for scheduled off-campus class engagements.

The limited, first-come, first-served funding makes it easier for faculty to get students out of the classroom and off campus for experiences that complement their coursework. Requests should be submitted several weeks in advance to allow for planning and scheduling.  Additional details can be found here: https://www.ohio.edu/student-success/experiential-learning/funding/motor-pool-grants.

Global Experiential Learning Support
In addition to these awards, the Office of Global Opportunities also offers scholarship awards twice a year to support study abroad and study away programs.

“Taken all together, these funding opportunities reflect OHIO’s commitment to Experiential Learning as an integrated and core curricular aspect of an OHIO Experience,” Michelle O’Malley, executive director of the Office of Experiential Learning, said. “My office works to make Experiential Learning more visible and more accessible while also working to reduce financial constraints that would otherwise prevent students from pursuing opportunities that can deepen their learning.”

Applications, eligibility requirements, submission guidelines, deadlines and examples of past awards are available through the Office of Experiential Learning’s funding resources.

For more information or questions about experiential learning funding, contact experiential.learning@ohio.edu.