The SPS Academic & Professional Development Grant (APD) aims to support students in pursuing tailored, hands-on learning experiences aligned with their academic programs that include, but are not limited to: graduate research, capstone projects, and experiential learning/professional development opportunities (e.g. internships, project-related costs, conferences, events, etc.)
Academic and/or professional development opportunities should demonstrate a strong commitment to the recipient’s developing academic and/or professional aspirations, with ample opportunity to bring back and contribute relevant learnings to the classroom.
Funds may be used to cover costs including, but not limited to: transportation, lodging, meals, registration fees, and project materials. Funds may NOT be requested as a substitution for income (whether it be salary or hourly pay), and may not be used to cover tuition, University fees, or personal expenses.
In previous semesters, SPS students have received funding for opportunities including but not limited to:
- internship materials
- conference registration and travel fees
- research/capstone project materials
- production costs for a video series and podcasts
- professional exam registration fees and certifications
- and much more!
Summer 2023 Recipients
Spring 2023 Recipients
Fall 2023 Recipients
The Spring 2024 grant application is now CLOSED.
Please review the eligibility criteria and required documents below. We also strongly encourage students to read our frequently asked questions.
Decisions are sent to students via email, typically two to three weeks past the application deadline. All recipients will be required to submit a follow-up report describing how their opportunity benefited them professionally. NOTE: Awards will ONLY be processed as reimbursements. If selected as a recipient, receipt(s) for awarded expenses MUST be provided to show proof of payment.
"I can truthfully say, I would not be in the position I am in today without the help of the SPS Academic & Professional Development Grant. This opportunity most importantly helped me secure a job, but also expanded my network with professionals I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to meet. I was able to learn from the industry’s brightest and bring my learnings from the panels back into the classroom."
- Megan Grzeziak, Sports Management
"I would like to say that attending the RMA conference was a worthwhile experience and that I am appreciative of the help from the SPS Academic & Professional Development Grant. I was able to network with thought leaders, learn about the most recent risk management trends and practices, and advance my professional growth thanks to the conference."
- Nigar Karimova, Enterprise Risk Management
"I conducted a study related to the sustainability of roads in a couple
of metro cities in India... the grant from SPS played a crucial role in it."- Nayan Meshram, Sustainability Science