We are out of funds for travel between the July 1 - December 31 period.

We will begin accepting applications on December 1, 2009 for travel between the January 1, 2010 - June 30, 2010 period.

Academic and Professional Enrichment Fund
Formerly known as Student Enrichment Travel Grants, the Academic and Professional Enrichment Fund provides faculty members with travel funds to support student travel to academic conferences and meetings.  Academic and Professional Enrichment Fund (APEF) is available to all students, including non-traditional and graduate students, who may be looking for one time funding to attend an academic conference that is related to their major, minor, and/or professional goals, or to engage in a professional experience.  Students must be accompanied by a coordinating faculty member.

Attending a conference with a faculty member can be a valuable experience which can enrich a student’s understanding of a discipline and subsequent professions.  APEF is intended to assist students in attending such conferences.

The Academic and Professional Enrichment Fund grant (APEF) is divided into 2 allotments which are distributed equally over the fiscal year (July-December, January-June). Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each period (provided proposals meet established guidelines) until funds are exhausted for the period. 

Faulty members and students are eligible for funding only once per fiscal year.

2009-2010 APEF Application

Application Process
Applications will be accepted on a per period basis for the July 1-June 30 fiscal year until funds are depleted. Funding awards will be on a first come, first served basis.

• If travel is between July 1 - December 30, then you should apply June 1 - November 30
• If travel is between January 1 - June 30, then you should apply December 1 - May 30

The faculty member applicant needs to complete the application form and obtain the required signatures.

Applications are due to the Office of Integrative Learning (181 LOH), no later than 30 days before the intended travel.

Awards
Awards of up to $400.00 will be awarded per student for up to three students, totaling $1200.00 per faculty member.  A faculty member may, if needed, apply for more than 3 students.  Contact the Office of Integrative Learning for additional information.

Eligibility
Funding is available to all tenure, tenure-track, visitor and affiliate faculty.
Funding eligibility is open to all students who meet the following:
• Are at least halftime student of Grand Valley State University (6 credits for undergraduates and 3 credits for graduate students)
• Are in good academic standing with the university

Grant Requirements
To ensure each grant follows the purpose stated in this proposal, funded students will be required to submit the typed APEF Conference Report and Reflection to the Office Integrative Learning within 10 business days of their return.  Students should e-mail their reports to integrative@gvsu.edu and CC the Faculty sponsor (ALL FORMS AND REPORTS MUST BE TYPED).  Reimbursement funds will be released to the sponsoring department upon approval of the Report and Reflection(s).

Grant Reimbursement Process
The student(s) should submit a Travel and Expense form with original receipts to the sponsoring department for reimbursement. The student(s) must submit the APEF Conference Report and Reflection to the Office Integrative Learning within 10 business days of his/her return from the conference. The student(s) should e-mail report(s) to integrative@gvsu.edu and CC the faculty member.  The sponsoring department must request a reimbursement transfer by sending an IDC or Journal Entry form to Shelley Sickrey in 181 LOH, along with copies of the student's T&E form(s).  We will process the request for reimbursement transfer from the sponsoring department upon approval of the student report(s).

PLEASE NOTE: In the event that the student also has an Academic Conference Fund (ACF) grant: ACF is the responsibility of the student only and is not administered in the same way as APEF. The student must deal directly with the Office of Integrative Learning to fulfill responsibilities to the ACF grant.