Funding for Student Organizations

The purpose of Global Engagement Funding is to carry out Penn State Global strategic goals of creating a global environment at Penn State. Imperative to this initiative are global citizenship and global leadership, both of which require student engagement and a strong commitment from student organizations. Global Engagement funding is intended for ON-CAMPUS EVENTS accessible to the Penn State community.

Student organizations must be recognized by the Student Activities Office in the HUB to apply for funding.

Student organizations should be aware of the maximum request amount, which is set at $1,000-$2,000 PER ACADEMIC YEAR from Penn State Global. This request amount is regulated in order to provide valuable funding to a large number of student organizations. 

FUNDS CAN BE USED ON:
General Event Costs
An event is an opportunity that may be attended by the general Penn State University Park community, including but not limited to events such as concerts, fairs, festivals, performances, and other exhibitions. More examples of event costs include decorations, venue reservations, equipment rentals, and guests. 

Food
Global Engagement will consider funding food, beverages, and catering operational costs that enhance an event. All food and catering must be Accepted Caterer through Penn State Risk Management. 

Media
Global Engagement will consider funding media materials that aid student organizations in accomplishing a specific purpose. We review the following types of media funding: 

1. Print Media
Includes materials being distributed to University Park students and expenses associated with the production of that content (ex: magazines, newspapers, printed publications).
2. Advertising
Include promotions such as HUB tabling, poster reservations and printing, and flyers. 

FUNDS CANNOT BE USED ON:
1. Travel expenses (ex: bus tickets, mileage)
2. Attending conferences or seminars
3. Competitions fee
4. Exclusive off-campus events (ex. parties, socials)
5. Equipment purchases
6. Gifts, presents, or prizes
7. Club operations (ex. merch)

10% RULE
Derived from the UPAC Requestor Handbook, "Requestors are responsible for a MINIMUM of ten percent (10%) of their total program cost." In other words, Global can only cover up to 90% of the total cost of a program.

Apply for Global Engagement Funding here

If your application passes the first round of review, the contact person listed on the funding application will be invited to a meeting with Global Engagement staff to discuss the application, your event or program, and the use of funds. Please allow up to 5 business days for review. 

Global Engagement staff will share an appropriate response timeline during your funding review meeting. Please wait for a response considering the agreed timeline. 

If your funding is approved, you will receive an official approval letter detailing the agreed amount of funds and important next steps. 

If your funding is rejected, you will receive an official rejection letter detailing the reasons why your request was denied. 

If approved, the contact person listed on the funding application is required to complete the short post-event report no later than two weeks after the date of the event. The post-event report is available through your funding approval letter.