Student And Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund

Student And Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund

Initially endowed by a generous gift from Hughlene and Bill Frank, the College of Arts and Sciences Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund provides resources that can be used to transform the undergraduate and graduate experience and support faculty teaching, research, and engagement. Typical past awards range from $100 up to $2,000. These are university funds and all use of the money must comply with university spending guidelines and follow standard university policies and procedures. Note that the SAFE funds are intended to be supplementary and it is expected that you pursue other sources of funding before applying.


Faculty SAFE funds support:

  • Publication support for faculty
  • Support for outside speakers for lectures, class discussions and workshops
  • Purchase of research equipment/supplies/research participant incentives to be used by our students and faculty
  • Travel to archives or other research sites
  • Registration fees for professional development workshops

Student wages, including assistantships, and travel to conferences will NOT be supported for faculty.


Student SAFE funds support:

  • Undergraduate and graduate student travel to present at professional workshops
  • Purchase of research equipment/supplies/research participant incentives to be used by our students and faculty
  • Travel to archives or other research sites

Each year, the College of Arts and Sciences provides two funding cycles. Applications are available on InfoReady at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. Applications for the Fall semester are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on the first Monday of October. Applications for the Spring semester are due no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second Monday of February. Faculty and students may only receive SAFE funds once per academic year.

Please contact Mark Bradbury (bradburymd@appstate.edu) with any questions.


Interested in supporting the SAFE fund? See Ways to Give.


SAFE Faculty and Student Stories

Dr. Ellen Lamont, associate professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Sociology, is the co-author of a recent paper published in Social Currents. Photo by University Communications.

SAFE Fund supports study by Dr. Ellen Lamont

BOONE, N.C. — Dr. Ellen Lamont, associate professor in Appalachian State University's Department of Sociology, is the co-author of a recent paper pu...

The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is accepting applications for the Student and Faculty Excellence (SAFE) Fund with a deadline of Monday, February 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.

Apply for the Spring 2025 SAFE Fund through February 10

BOONE, N.C. — The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University is accepting applications for the Student and Faculty Excellence (SAF...

Oliver Sullivan is a graduate student in the Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management program. Photo submitted

SAFE Student Spotlight: Oliver Sullivan

Oliver SullivanFall 2023 SAFE Fund RecipientProject: "Perceived vs. Actual: Bridging the Gap in the Understanding of Psychology Majors’ Skills"Olive...

Maggie Vaughn is a senior biology major from Nebo. Photo submitted

SAFE Student Spotlight: Maggie Vaughn

Maggie VaughnFall 2023 SAFE Fund RecipientProject: "Toward an Improved Synthesis of Dental Adhesives"Maggie Vaughn, a senior biology major from Nebo, ...