Faculty Funding

Faculty should consult the Travel and Entertainment Expense Guidelines before submitting any reimbursement requests.

Please note that if you purchase airfares or other non-refundable expenses and your travel plans change (for example, your conference moves online or is canceled), the College will not be able to reimburse you for these expenses. If you’ve already received a reimbursement or advance for such an expense, this amount will need to be returned to the College. If this policy changes, an update will be posted on this page.

Reimbursement Pre-Approval Forms

Faculty Travel Funds

Unless otherwise arranged with the Provost, all continuing full-time faculty are eligible for up to $1,800 in travel funding in support of conference or professional development participation. Travel to conferences at which the faculty member presents a paper or plays an official role is fully reimbursable. Otherwise, expenses are reimbursable at two-thirds of the actual cost. The “two-thirds funding rule” does not apply if travel is supported by an Academic Support Committee grant or start-up funds.

Faculty Travel Funds Reimbursement Process

  • When expenses are to be paid using Faculty Travel funds, faculty should complete the Reimbursement Pre-Approval form before making any purchases to ensure that expenses will be reimbursed. Do not use this form if you are using Start-Up funds; see the Start-Up Funds section below for more information.
  • After approval is received, requests for reimbursement should be submitted to the Director of Faculty Development, Rachel Weir, at Box #29. Original, itemized receipts should be accompanied by either a completed Travel/Entertainment Report form or a Payment Request Form (in the case of a single receipt). Faculty should download these forms directly from the Forms page to ensure that they are using the most current version. Chair signatures are not required on these forms. See the Submitting Receipts page for more information about how to organize your receipts.

Questions about travel funding should be directed to the Director of Faculty Development Rachel Weir (rweir@allegheny.edu).

Start-Up Funds

Start-up funding expenses may include conference travel or other research-related travel, lab equipment, or computer hardware/software. Allowable expenses will be specified in the individual faculty’s appointment letter.

Start-Up Funds Reimbursement Process

  • When expenses are to be paid using Start-Up funds, faculty should complete the Start-Up Funds Pre-Approval form before making any purchases greater than $100. (If the purchase/expense is $100 or less, faculty can skip this step and go directly to the reimbursement forms.)
  • If a building coordinator/department is assisting in making the purchase directly via a PO or some other means, the faculty must still complete the Start-Up Funds Pre-Approval form to ensure adequate funding remains in their account prior to purchase. Faculty are encouraged to discuss upcoming expenses with their department chairs, particularly if the expense is greater than $5000.
  • After approval is received, any requests for reimbursement should be submitted to the Associate Provost, Jennifer Dearden, at Box #18. Original, itemized receipts should be accompanied by either a completed Travel/Entertainment Report form or a Payment Request Form (in the case of a single receipt). Faculty should download these forms directly from the Forms page to ensure that they are using the most current version. Chair signatures are not required on these forms. See the Submitting Receipts page for more information about how to organize your receipts.

Questions about start-up funding should be directed to Associate Provost Jennifer Dearden (jdearden@allegheny.edu).

ASC Grants

Funding for sabbaticals or other projects can be requested through the Academic Support Committee (ASC). There are two funding cycles each year, with deadlines of November 1 and February 15. Faculty can also apply for up to $500 in Supplemental Research Funding outside of these funding cycles using the application process described below. See the ASC Grant Applications page for more information.

ASC Funding Reimbursement Process

  • Once a faculty member has been awarded ASC funding, they should complete the Reimbursement Pre-Approval form before making any associated purchases. This allows the Director of Faculty Development to confirm that funds are available and that they can be used for the purpose described.
  • After approval is received, requests for reimbursement should be submitted to the Director of Faculty Development, Rachel Weir, at Box #29. Original, itemized receipts should be accompanied by either a completed Travel/Entertainment Report form or a Payment Request Form (in the case of a single receipt). Faculty should download these forms directly from the Forms page to ensure that they are using the most current version. Chair signatures are not required on these forms. See the Submitting Receipts page for more information about how to organize your receipts.

Questions about ASC grants should be directed to ASC Chair Dan Willey (dwilley@allegheny.edu) or Director of Faculty Development Rachel Weir (rweir@allegheny.edu).

Demmler Awards

The Demmler Endowment provides stipends to one or more faculty members who wish to pursue projects in innovative teaching. The Provost and Dean of the College solicits proposals from faculty during the Spring Term. The stipend may be used to purchase materials, to support summer work, or to arrange for release time during the academic year. See this page for more information.

External Funding Opportunities

Allegheny’s Office of Foundation & Corporate Relations (FCR) works to secure grants for the college and its faculty and staff from foundations, corporations and government agencies. This office can help you to identify funding sources, prepare proposals and manage grants once funding has been received.

The FCR office has developed a comprehensive list of fellowships and funding opportunities for faculty. The FCR office will consult with faculty about these opportunities, and depending upon the specific details of the fellowship, grant or award, may be able to help with the development of proposals or may suggest other resources for faculty.