QEP Funding Opportunities

The Learning Opportunities Center provides undergraduate students, faculty and staff an opportunity to apply for funds for new or existing enhanced projects/activities that are directly related to the two areas of focus for the QEP: service learning and study abroad. The purpose of these funding opportunities is to increase undergraduate student involvement in high-impact learning opportunities that transform student perspective while engaging in practical application of learning.

The following grant information is for projects implemented during the 2019-2020 fiscal year (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

Proposal submission due dates:

Priority Deadline: Friday, April 5, 2019 by 4:00pm

September 6, 2019 by 4:00pm (Fall/Winter)

October 4, 2019 by 4:00pm (Spring)

February 7, 2020 by 4:00pm (Summer)

Why should you participate in QEP grant projects?

They provide substantial educational benefits to students
Valued by employers
Provides a hands-on co-curricular experience
Helps with personal development and character
Provides a deep approach to learning

What makes High Impact Practices (HIP) effective?

Helps students apply and test what they are learning in new situations
Helps students engage across differences
Provides students with rich feedback
Helps students build substantive relationships

What makes a course High Impact?

Invest time and effort
Learning outside of the classroom
Requires meaningful interactions with faculty and peers
Experience diversity
Students get more frequent and substantive feedback

Looking for other study abroad grant and scholarship opportunities? Find a list of APSU study abroad scholarships as well as outside funding opportunities here.

Grant Guidelines

There are two types of grants available. The Keys to the World grant is to be used for all students involved in a course, while B.O.L.D. Project grants will be awarded to individual students.

Keys to the World Grant (up to $7,500) is an award that aims to provide financial support for new or enhanced existing high impact practice (service-learning and/or study abroad) course experiences. Undergraduate student applicants work with a faculty/staff member to develop new course initiatives or enhanced existing course projects. Undergraduate student P.I.'s are expected to take the lead on the application process, project logistics and communication with the Learning Opportunities Center (LOC). Eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Faculty, staff or undergraduate students can apply for funding for the high impact service-learning or study abroad course(s)
- All undergraduate students applying for grant funds must have a faculty/staff adviser that will be listed on the application form.
- Keys to the World Grant P.I.'s are eligible for up to $750 in professional development funding per QEP grant award.
- Complete Keys to the World online application and submit an itemized budget breakdown (including an invoice/estimate for expenses)
- Preference will be given to newly designated service-learning or study abroad courses and to proposals that have not received QEP funding previously.
- Undergraduate student P.I.'s must have no formal discipline charges
B.O.L.D. Project (up to $3,000) - Bridging Opportunities for Leadership through Diversity (B.O.L.D.) is an award that aims to support students who have been historically underrepresented in service-learning or study abroad. This includes but is not limited to first-generation college students, students from diverse backgrounds, non-traditional, military/veteran students, and students with disabilities. At least ten B.O.L.D. awards will be granted in the amount of $3,000 for students who have not traveled abroad or participated in service-learning course(s) at APSU. Students receiving funds through this award must meet all requirements listed at the time of application. Eligibility criteria is as follows:
- Full-time undergraduate student at APSU
- 2.5 cumulative GPA; Minimum 30 completed/earned credit hours at the time of the award
  - Students with a GPA between 2.5-2.99 must also include a recommendation letter from a faculty, advisor, or mentor with their application who can attest to their academic success.
- Must be able to demonstrate financial need (FAFSA application on file)
- Complete Study Abroad/Exchange application and Keys to the World application (including essay)
- First time traveling abroad/participating in service-learning with APSU sponsored programs
- Undergraduate student P.I.'s must have no formal discipline charges

Funding Guidelines for all QEP Grant Projects

All Austin Peay State University faculty, staff and undergraduate students are eligible to submit proposal applications. All written reflection/signature assignments must be completed in D2L and assessed according to the assessment guidelines and completion dates.

An individual may be listed as the principal investigator on only one proposal in a twelve-month period, and no individual may be involved in more than two proposals during a twelve-month period. Proposals from previous recipients who have failed to complete written reflection/signature assignments or submit end-of-project reports or assessments will not be considered for future funding.

All funds must be used for HIP activities that can be assessed by using the QEP Student Learning Outcomes rubric. This includes students completing a written reflection/signature assignment.
An itemized budget breakdown (including an invoice/estimate for expenses) must be emailed to loc@apsu.edu when the application is submitted. An example template can be found below.
Funds must be used for opportunities for undergraduate student participation in service-learning or study abroad activities, such as awards for resource/supplies or travel expenses. LOC will disburse all awarded study abroad funds to the student study abroad travel account. Service-learning awards must be discussed with student recipients and included in the course syllabus prior to accepting the award funds.
Funds pertaining to study abroad experiences must be used for program costs related to travel and cannot be used to cover tuition or university fees.
Funds cannot be used for hiring and/or compensating personnel, which includes student workers, graduate students/assistants, teaching assistants or temporary employees.
All P.I.'s are required to submit an End of Project Assessment data report.
Keys to the World grants are eligible for up to $750 in professional development funding per QEP grant award. Professional development funds will be disbursed once the end-of-project reports are completed.
Student recipients of the B.O.L.D. project and Keys to the World grant are required to participate in the Keys to the World Showcase in the Fall and/or Spring semester and complete the pre/post assessment surveys.
Students receiving funds related to study abroad experiences must meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.25
- Freshmen must have at least one semester of college credit
- No recent or pending criminal charges
- Students with recent or pending student code of conduct proceedings will require approval from the Dean of Students and may not be eligible for funds

QEP HIP Grant Resources

Signature Assignment Writing Prompt Requirements for QEP Funded Projects

Students who receive funding through Keys to the World projects are required to complete a signature reflective assignment. The required prompts for Keys to the World projects and B.O.L.D. recipients are below. Signature assignments are collected through D2L. For assistance with setting up the prompts in D2L, contact Allie Michael at michaela@apsu.edu.

For more information regarding all QEP funding opportunities, please contact Dr. Ashlee Spearman, Director of the Quality Enhancement Plan, at (931) 221-7045 or spearmana@apsu.edu .