Gatton Academy & Craft Academy Graduates Research and Experiential Learning Award
Gatton and Craft Academy graduates are eligible for up to $3000 to support research or creative endeavors.
Please note changes to the guidelines and requirements updated for 2025-2026.
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Funds MUST be used for research supplies. Funds cannot be used for living expenses of any kind. Funds cannot be used to pay yourself for your work. This is not a scholarship for tuition, fees or housing.
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A detailed budget of what you will use the funds for in your research must be provided with the application. Your faculty sponsor must certify that funds will be used as outlined. It is understood that some research projects do not require supplies or purchases, this funding is not appropriate for such projects.
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Receipts/invoices must be retained, documented and turned in at the end of the semester with your progress report, along with faculty signature confirming use of funds as submitted. Failure to do so will result in funds being charged back to your account.
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You must have a WKU faculty member to approve the project and to confirm that you are working with them. If you are using the funds for an external research project, you will still need a WKU faculty to sign off. Example: the award could be used to participate in research at the National Institutes of Health, but a WKU faculty member must agree to monitor and assess the activities.
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Funds can be awarded per semester ($1,500) or for the whole year ($3,000). A maximum lifetime amount of $3000 can be requested. Students cannot be awarded more than $3000 total during their tenure at WKU.
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Upon approval, the funding will be applied to the recipients WKU tuition account. Any unused or undocumented funds will be charged back at the end of the semester. Charge backs will occur on the last day of the semester. All documentation must be received by that date.
- This award is not an automatic scholarship for Gatton and Craft alumni in The MHC. It is funding based upon having an accepted proposal on file, providing a detailed budget, proof of what funds were used for and turning in progress report.
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Develop a proposal with a WKU faculty member and submit the proposal to the Assistant Director for Academics (see the proposal guidelines). Do not submit without all signatures and a detailed budget. Documents must be typed, not handwritten with appropriate PDF signatures.
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Accept the award on TopNet per University deadlines.
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Submit a progress report at the end of each funding period, (semester/summer). Failure to do so will result in funds being charged back on the last day of the semester.
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If a whole year award has been requested, you must still provide a progress report at the end of EACH semester, including summer. Detail funds that have been used and update any adjustments or changes to the original budget for remaining funds.
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Have successfully completed HON 251 or be currently enrolled.
- Maintain full-time enrollment and good standing in the Mahurin Honors College, making sufficient progress on your honors hours.
- Maintain the requirements of the Gatton Academy & Craft Academy Graduates Targeted Scholarship from WKU.
- Acceptance of this award requires you to complete an Honors Capstone Experience/Thesis project. Failure to complete a thesis by graduation will result in a charge back of this funding.
- Submit proposals and progress reports as outlined. (Additional funding will not be released until the previous progress report has been received.)
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Proposals must be received at least two weeks before finals week to be applied to any given term. If you are applying at the end of the term, a detailed budget on what you have purchased for research must be provided with receipts/invoices.
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All documentation must be received by the last day of the semester (per WKU calendar).
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