IMMERSIVE LEARNING TRAVEL GRANT APPLICATION
Ball State University's Offices of the Provost, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, and Immersive Learning are pleased to offer supplemental travel funding for conference registrations and travel expenses related to completed immersive learning projects. These funds support faculty and students invited to present on immersive learning (in-person or virtually) at regional, national, or international academic conferences.
Submission Deadlines: Applications will open at the beginning of each academic year, and a rolling deadline will be in place until May 1 or until the funding is exhausted. Awards typically range from $500-$1,500 per request. All travel must be completed and expenses submitted by June 1.
This is a faculty grant competition; applications are only accepted from current Ball State faculty members.
To be eligible, faculty requests must meet the following criteria:
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Funding can support faculty and undergraduate student registration fees and travel expenses. Graduate student expenses are not eligible for reimbursement under this program. Faculty can present with or without students, but preference will be given to requests that include students in presentations and to faculty who have completed the Immersive Learning faculty Canvas modules (mini-course).
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This fund is intended to be supplemental. Preference will be given to faculty who have secured funding from other sources (i.e., Sponsored Programs Administration, department travel funds, college grants, community partners, etc.) and are looking for additional funds to make a conference trip possible. If a faculty member has been unable to secure travel support, please list the contacted sources in the application.
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Applicants must submit a copy of their official invitation from conference organizers. Applications must include specific dates, times, and locations for the online event or in-person trip.
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Your presentation must have Immersive Learning as a focus (e.g. discuss the concept and process of the immersive learning teaching method and/or share activities and findings from a specific project that has taken place).
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This fund is for completed immersive learning courses/projects. Faculty will not be awarded a travel grant while funded by Provost Immersive Learning Pilot or Sustained Grant.
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The Office of Immersive Learning encourages faculty to include their community partner in conference presentations, but due to limited funds, Immersive Learning Travel Grants can only reimburse faculty and student travel.
If you have questions or concerns regarding these criteria, please contact Jackie Grutsch McKinney, Director of Immersive Learning and High Impact Practices.
Interested applicants should submit a request as soon as possible to increase their chances of funding success. Funds are limited, and applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Awards typically range from $500-$1,500 per request. Faculty members presenting together at the same conference should apply separately.
Funds cannot be used for registration fees or conferences during the semester in which the course is being offered. For example, if you are currently teaching an immersive learning course, this fund will not pay for conference travel related to your project this semester. Still, you can request money to present in the semester following the completion of your project. If travel support is needed during a semester-long project, consider applying for a Pilot Project and One-Time grant or Sustained Course grant the semester before the class will be offered.
Travel funds are distributed as a reimbursement to your department after the registration has been paid or the conference has taken place. When a travel grant has been approved, you will receive notification about whether you were granted the total or partial amount requested. Upon that notification, you may begin the registration process and make travel arrangements through your department. When the conference is over, your administrative coordinator will process the reimbursement and forward the completed Travel Reimbursement to the Immersive Learning Office. This office will then make arrangements to transfer the reimbursement amount to your department up to the amount you were rewarded. NOTE: If the total registration fees and travel expenses exceed the awarded amount, you or your department will absorb that cost.
During the application process, faculty must enter the email address of their department chair to sign off for their travel request. It would be beneficial to notify your chair about your application before submission. Proposals will be evaluated by the Offices of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs and Immersive Learning.