Honors Faculty Engagement Grant (HFEG)

Instructors of a WKU honors section (including an Honors Enriched Embedded Course) may apply for an HFEG for the semester they are teaching this section. Instructors may apply for an HFEG each semester they are teaching an honors section on campus regardless of past awards. HFEG funds cannot be used to support Faculty Led Study Abroad and Study Away courses.

There are a wide variety of acceptable uses for HFEG funds, as long as the funds are devoted to providing an "honors experience" for MHC scholars. Common examples of HFEG-supported uses include inviting guest speakers to a class, taking a field trip, and purchasing select materials.

Please note that HFEG funds are primarily intended to support MHC scholars. However, when there is no added expense for non-honors students to participate, then HFEG funds may also benefit those students. For example, paying a guest speaker is the same cost, regardless of how many honors and non-honors students participate.

The maximum HFEG award is $1,500; however, the Honors Development Board will determine the award amount based on availability of funds and the number of MHC students benefiting from the activity. When participating in an out-of-class experience, instructors are strongly encouraged to require participating students to share in the cost. Sharing in the cost of a trip and asking students to pay in advance improves student participation in the event and encourages an appreciation for the cost and effort associated with the trip. For example, students might pay $5 each for a theatre ticket that actually costs $25, while the HFEG and other sources (such as department and college) subsidize the rest.

All HFEG applications, regardless of monetary value, are due at the start of the term in which they will be used. If an important academic opportunity has arisen that does not fit easily within the HFEG deadlines, please feel free to contact The MHC’s Assistant Director for Academics to discuss the matter.

HFEGs are evaluated by the Honors Development Board (HDB). It generally takes the HDB two to three weeks after the deadline to evaluate the HFEG applications and make funding recommendations. Notification letters are sent via email.

The MHC can only pay for expenses itemized and approved on the HFEG Application in an amount equal or less than the total requested funds. Due to the large number of HFEGs processed each semester, we ask that your department pay the expenses up front and forward an inter-account bill to The MHC for processing. It is important that you receive funding approval before making purchases.