Resources and Funding for Experiential Learning

This page outlines various resources available at Boston University for experiential learning and community engagement.

Guides/Resources

Boston University Resources

• CTL Experiential Learning Guide – an overview of experiential learning definitions, background, and resources for further research on experiential learning
• CTL Guide on Service Learning – an overview of service learning (or community-engaged learning), background, discussion of value, further research, sample assignments, and resources for planning assignments and syllabi
• Hub Experiences – concrete examples of experiential learning for undergraduates through the Hub
• Community Service Center Opportunities for Faculty and Staff – sample opportunities and resources for faculty looking to engage students in community-engaged learning
• BU Spark – resources related to the experiential learning lab housed in Computing & Data Sciences
• Student-facing CAS Connector Guide explaining to students the experiential learning opportunities available to them in the College of Arts and Sciences
• BU Diversity & Inclusion – potentially guiding successful collaborations with community partners

External Resources

• WPI Center for Project-Based Learning – provides background information and suggestions on implementing project-based learning
• Campus Compact – a longstanding resource for community-engaged learning, teaching resources, and encouraging connections to community engagement at other universities
• University of Minnesota Center for Community-Engaged Learning – a leader in community-engaged learning, providing sample assignments and reflections, as well as further resources for faculty
• Welcome to Community-Engaged Teaching and Research at Northeastern: A Self-Guided Module for Faculty

Funding Resources

Grants and Fellowships Office

The central resource for assistance with grants at Boston University is the Office of Sponsored Programs. The office assists faculty and administrators with grants management throughout the project lifecycle, including proposal review and submission, award acceptance, award management, compliance, and award closeout.

Contact information:

Address: 25 Buick Street, Suite 200, Boston, MA 02215-1301

Email:  ospera@bu.edu

Telephone: 617-353-4365

The first step is just finding out what funding opportunities are available.  The Sponsored Programs Office recommends using COS Pivot, which compiles federal, non-federal, foundation, corporate, and private funding opportunities that cover nearly every discipline.

Opportunities

• Hub Funding Opportunities
• BU Arts Initiative Funding
• College-specific funding, such as the CAS Virginia Sapiro Academic Enhancement Fund or the Kilachand Course Enrichment Fund (up to $1,000)
• Grant-funded projects (grant-specific)
• ACT Grant from Shipley Center, DL&I ($5000 or less, connected to innovation and technology)

Acknowledgements

This resource is part of the Bridge Builders Experiential Learning Toolkit and was contributed by Sheila Cordner (Senior Lecturer, Humanities, College of General Studies), Liling Huang (Senior Lecturer in Chinese, World Languages & Literatures, College of Arts & Sciences), and Sean Kealy (Clinical Associate Professor of Law, Clinical & Experiential Programs, School of Law).

The Bridge Builders Experiential Learning Program (2022-2024) was jointly sponsored by the MetroBridge Program within the Initiative on Cities and the Center for Teaching & Learning and supported with funding from the Davis Educational Foundation. Read more about the Bridge Builders Program.