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Honors Engagement Funding Category Guide

The Honors Engagement Funding categories are designed to support a wide range of academic, professional, creative, and experiential learning opportunities. Because some activities may overlap between categories, students should apply under the category that best reflects the *primary purpose* of the experience.

Selecting the Correct Category

When determining the most appropriate funding category, students should consider:

  1. The primary purpose of the experience
  2. The role of the student in the activity
  3. Whether the experience is academic, professional, research-based, or work-based
  4. Whether the student is learning, working, presenting, or conducting research

If an experience could reasonably fit multiple categories, students should apply under the category that best aligns with the main objective of the activity.
 

CategoryCore Purpose
Professional DevelopmentSkill/career growth
InternshipSupervised work experience
ResearchDiscovery/inquiry
ThesisOfficial thesis completion
Conference TravelPresenting/showcasing work
Study AbroadAcademic/global coursework

Professional Development

Purpose

Supports skill-building, career preparation, networking, and professional growth opportunities that do not involve supervised work experience or formal research.

Common Characteristics
  1. Focused on learning or career preparation
  2. No formal employer supervision or work assignment
  3. Student participates primarily as a learner or attendee
Examples
  1. GRE/MCAT/LSAT preparation
  2. Certifications or licensure preparation
  3. Workshops and trainings
  4. Networking events
  5. Conferences where the student is not presenting
  6. Professional attire
  7. Portfolio or resume development
  8. Leadership development programs
Key Question

Is the student primarily building skills or preparing for a future career opportunity?

Internship

Purpose

Supports supervised work-based learning experiences that provide practical, hands-on professional experience.

Common Characteristics
  1. Student performs assigned responsibilities
  2. Experience is supervised by an employer or organization
  3. Focused on applied learning in a professional setting
Examples
  1. Nonprofit internships
  2. Clinical or hospital internships
  3. Government or policy internships
  4. Engineering or business internships
  5. Marketing or communications internships
  6. Paid or unpaid internship placements
Key Question

Is the student participating in supervised professional work experience?

Research & Creative Inquiry

Purpose

Supports scholarly research, creative projects, experimentation, and exploratory inquiry that may or may not become part of a future Honors Thesis.

Common Characteristics
  1. Faculty-mentored or independent inquiry
  2. Focused on discovery, investigation, or creative production
  3. Flexible and exploratory in nature
Common Expenses
  1. Supplies and materials
  2. Software
  3. Research travel
  4. Participant incentives
  5. Creative production costs
Common Expenses

Is the student conducting research or creating scholarly/creative work?

Honors Thesis

Purpose

Supports expenses directly related to the completion of an official Honors Thesis project.

Common Characteristics
  1. Specifically tied to Honors Thesis enrollment or completion
  2. Supports final thesis production, research, or dissemination
  3. More formal and outcomes-based than general research
Examples
  1. Thesis-specific research travel
  2. Specialized software or equipment
  3. Thesis printing or binding
  4. Archival visits for thesis research
  5. Creative production expenses tied directly to the thesis
Key Question

Is this expense directly connected to the completion of an official Honors Thesis?

Conference Travel

Purpose

Supports students who are actively presenting, performing, competing, or showcasing scholarly or creative work at a professional conference or event.

Common Characteristics
  1. Student is presenting or representing their work
  2. Focused on scholarly or professional dissemination
  3. Student serves as an active participant rather than solely an attendee
Examples
  1. Research poster presentations
  2. Academic paper presentations
  3. Creative performances
  4. Professional competitions
  5. Student panel participation
Common Expenses
  1. Conference registration
  2. Airfare and lodging
  3. Poster printing
  4. Transportation
Key Question

Is the student actively presenting or showcasing their work?

Study Abroad

Purpose

Supports academic and global learning experiences that are connected to formal educational coursework or university-affiliated international programs.

Common Characteristics
  1. Academic or credit-bearing experience
  2. Often affiliated with a university or study abroad provider
  3. Focused on global learning and education
Examples
  1. Faculty-led study abroad programs
  2. Exchange semesters
  3. International coursework
  4. Language immersion programs for academic credit
  5. University-affiliated global learning programs
Key Question

Is the experience primarily an academic educational program abroad?

Professional Development Abroad

Purpose

Supports international experiences focused on career development, networking, leadership, or professional skill-building rather than academic coursework.

Common Characteristics

  1. International professional growth opportunity
  2. Not primarily tied to academic credit
  3. Focused on career readiness or leadership development
Examples
  1. International leadership conferences
  2. Professional certification programs abroad
  3. Networking or industry immersion experiences
  4. International professional workshops
  5. Medical or service-learning training experiences
Key Question

Is the primary purpose professional growth rather than academic coursework?