Applied Learning Grants

Funder: SUNY Potsdam College Foundation Inc (Lougheed Center for Applied Learning)

A suite of flexible funding opportunities to support student-initiated or faculty-led applied learning experiences. Alumni have invested more than $9 million in the Lougheed Center for Applied Learning.

Funding Sources

Applications are considered for support from multiple funding sources:

• Lougheed Applied Learning Grants: Supports faculty and staff activities that enhance opportunities for students to engage in high-impact activities applying theoretical learning to real-world contexts.
• Dorf Applied Learning YES Fund: Provides financial support for student-initiated or faculty-led applied learning experiences.
• Gilchrist Endowment for Applied Learning: Supports faculty-sponsored applied learning experiences for individual students or groups.
• The BOB: Financially supports faculty in developing applied learning experiences designed to position students for gainful employment and career success.
• Institute for Ethical Behavior Endowment: Provides resources for service-learning projects promoting ethical behavior.
• Stradling Passport to Possibilities Endowment: Supports student travel opportunities with unique educational and cultural experiences. Eligible expenses include transportation, accommodations, meals, health & travel insurance, passport/visa fees, books & course materials, technology & communications, and administrative fees.

Eligibility

• Students: Can apply for general student applied learning funding (rolling deadline)
• Faculty: Can apply for professional development and applied learning support
• Projects must involve structured, intentional, and authentic learning
• Projects should position students for gainful employment and career success

What Can Be Funded

• Faculty taking courses, earning certifications, or developing knowledge and skills
• Conference attendance
• Travel to research locations and materials
• Student employee stipends or internship support
• Event costs (food, decorations, honoraria)
• Guest lecturers and speakers
• Course travel experiences
• Sabbatical research expenses
• Curriculum development for applied learning
• Summer housing for summer research labs

What Cannot Be Funded

• Alcohol (State restriction)
• Equipment for personal ownership (State restriction)
• Sustaining operating costs (start-up funding only)
• Professional development for emeritus faculty (unless currently teaching)
• Most non-credit student experiences (unless linked to mentored research)

Review Timeline

Funding requests are reviewed quarterly in March, June, September, and December.

Contact

• General inquiries: appliedlearning@potsdam.edu
• Application deadlines: Sarah Lister at listersl@potsdam.edu
• Professional development questions: Annette Kelley at kelleyar@potsdam.edu

Application Process

All grants use a single application form that allows applicants to be considered for support from all applicable funding sources with one submission.

Required Information

1. Project Lead/Contact Information
   • Primary contact details
   • Co-leads (if applicable)
2. Project Information
   • Project name
   • Start date
   • End date
   • Number and types of populations impacted (faculty level, student year, etc.)
3. Project Description
   • Description of applied learning activities to be funded
   • Verification that learning is: structured, intentional, authentic, monitored with continuous improvement, reflection-based, and assessed for outcomes
   • Whether grant funds a credit-bearing course (and credit hours)
   • Whether course is travel-based and destination
   • Expected student enrollment
   • How students will learn skills for gainful employment and career success
4. Outcome Statements (each ≤1,250 characters/250 words)
   • Faculty Outcomes: How proposal impacts faculty professional development, teaching, or scholarly activity
   • Student Outcomes: How project will affect students' applied learning experiences
   • Strategic Goals: How proposal links to campus strategic initiatives (Academic Affairs Strategic Plan, Middle States Self-Study, DEI Strategic Plan)
5. Funding Questions
   • Total funding requested
   • Other funding sources

Submission Details

• Single application for all funding sources
• Allow at least 6 weeks for committee review (rolling deadline for student applications)
• Quarterly review cycles: March, June, September, December