Wisconsin Experience Grant

 

In recognition of the vital role which Registered Student Organizations play in enriching the campus through their events and activities, the Chancellor's Office, Division of Student Life, Provost's Office and Vice Chancellor for Administration have established the Wisconsin Experience Grant. This grant is administered through the Center for Leadership and Involvement and it centralizes funds to make it easier for registered student organizations to request funding through one central source, rather than requesting funds from each individual office.

The Wisconsin Experience Grant funds educational programs/events which are open to all students and/or have the potential for campus wide impact. Registered student organizations who receive funding are thoughtful and intentional about contributing to student learning through their programs.

 

Information and Purpose

The "Wisconsin Experience" is grounded in The Wisconsin Idea, a 100-year old idea that we expect what we do matters, embedded in the populist idea that together we can solve any problem. Our historical mission has evolved well beyond "the boundaries of the state" and creates an expectation for all of us - faculty, staff and students alike - to apply in and out of the classroom learning in ways that have significant and positive impacts on the world. It is this unique Wisconsin Experience that produces graduates who are creative problem-solvers, who know how to integrate empirical analysis and passion, who know how to seek out, evaluate, and if necessary create new knowledge and technologies, who can adapt to new situations, and who are engaged citizens of the world.

The Wisconsin Experience comprises the following inquiry-based opportunities, which we describe as the Pillars of the Wisconsin Experience.

• Substantial research experiences that generate knowledge - like our service learning and community based research programs.
• Global and cultural competencies and engagement - by attending the La Mujer Latina Conference, Taiwanese Film Festival or Indian Graduate Students Association's Diwali Night, for example.
• Leadership and activism opportunities - in one of our 800+ student organizations or via the All-Campus Leadership Conference, for instance.
• Application of knowledge in the "real world" - applying your knowledge can be as simple as involving oneself in the Roosevelt Institution (UW-Madison).

The resulting Wisconsin Experience is characterized by close integration of in-class and out-of-class learning experiences and by active and creative engagement in "real-world" problem solving. Applicants for the Wisconsin Experience Grant should be producing programs, events, or activities that provide out-of-class learning experiences that further the Wisconsin Experience by developing a more inclusive, respectful, and healthier campus environment.

 

Funding items

 

Food, honoraria, lodging and transportation for speakers/performers/trainers, program supplies, equipment/ facility rental, printing and advertising are eligible for funding. 

Student travel expenses to conferences, first class air fare, alcohol and social events are NOT funded.

 

Application Deadlines and Funding Timelines

Deadlines for funding requests/applications are the 1st and 15th of each month during the academic year, excluding January 1st, December 15th and May 15th. During the summer months, applications may be considered if funding resources are available. Requests must be submitted to the Center for Leadership and Involvement (CfLI), no later than 11:59 p.m. on the designated due date.

Applicants must submit their application in time for the deadline that is one full month before their event and are strongly encouraged to apply earlier. For example, for an event on March 13, the group must have all of their application materials to the Grant Administrator in time for the February 1st deadline as the February 15th deadline is less than a month before their event. Late submissions will be reviewed following the next deadline period, as long as there is still one month between the next submission date and the event. See the funding timeline chart for more details.

If you meet this deadline	Your event must be held AFTER
Fall 2011
September 1	October 1
September 15	October 15
October 1	November 1
October 15	November 15
December 1	January 1
Spring 2012
January 15	February 15
February 1	March 1
February 15	March 15
March 1	April 1
March 15	April 15
April 1	May 1
April 15	May 15
May 1	June 1

Reminder: If you are requesting funding to bring speakers/performers/trainers to the campus, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible, even months in advance, with one month in advance as the bare minimum, since additional budget paperwork such as university contracts is required and takes added time. 

 

 

Contact Information

Shiyuan Chen, Wisconsin Experience Grant Administrator
3rd Floor Red Gym, Center for Leadership and Involvement
608.890.0006
608.265.8184 FAX
grant.info@studentlife.wisc.edu

Sheila Keaton, Wisconsin Experience Grant Committee Chair
3rd Floor Red Gym, Center for Leadership and Involvement
608.263.1020
skeaton@studentlife.wisc.edu

Grant Administrator Office Hours
Mondays: 1:30-5:30pm

Tuesdays: 1:30-4:30pm

Wednesdays: 1:30-5:30pm

Thursdays: 1:30-5:30pm

Fridays: 1:30-5:30pm

Grant Administrator's Role Description
Along with processing grant applications and coordinating the completion of payments, the Grant Administrator also serves as a resource for student groups throughout the entire grant process.  The Grant Administrator is the primary contact for the Wisconsin Experience Grant and is available to answer questions and provide support during the application process.  For example, the Administrator can read over applications prior to submission, clarify definitions, explain payment processes, etc.  Creating a working relationship with the Grant Administrator, even before applying, helps ensure that the grant process goes smoothly and helps prevent miscommunications between the Student Organization and the Wisconsin Experience Grant.