Appendix S: Guidelines for Start-up Funds

Guidelines for Start-up Funds

Start-up funds

Your start-up funds are to be used to support the development of your scholarly or creative work. All requests for research travel, equipment and supplies, expenses related to publication or exhibition (subventions, indexing costs, expenses related to exhibits, etc.), books, and other needs appropriate to the development of your research/scholarly/creative work may be paid for with your start-up funding for the time specified in your employment contract at Centre College. Note that unused funding does not carry over beyond the time specified in your contract.

In some cases, with prior permission of the Dean of the College, student researchers or external colleagues who are integral to production of your scholarship may receive a stipend from your start-up funding. Faculty members with startup funding may also apply for, and utilize funding from, external or internal grants to carry out their scholarly or creative work.  If external funds replace the need for internal start-up funding, that is good for the College’s budget.

In accordance with the Faculty Handbook, each faculty member will be reimbursed for the expenses incurred from   attending professional conference(s), up to $1500 per academic year.  This amount is in addition to your start-up funding. Additional conferences may be authorized by the Dean based on the availability of funds. You may also use your start-up funds to pay for conference attendance. Additional conference reimbursement may be authorized by the Dean depending on the availability of funds and your role (invited presenter, e.g.) at the conference.  Using your start-up funding to purchase items not related to your scholarship, such as purchase/rental of cap and gown, office furniture, home furniture, clothing, e.g.,), is not allowed. Similarly, expenses that the College does not reimburse (cellphones, data plans, childcare, etc.) cannot be paid for with start-up funds. 

Other polices of interest

• For computers and other technology, please follow the Acquisition of Technology policy in the faculty handbook.
• For attendance at professional meetings, please refer to the Faculty Handbook about completing the request to your Division Chair.
• For office or lab furniture, please work with Ann Smith, Director of Procurement & Capital Projects. She will assess your needs and work with you to acquire what you need from resources here on campus.