Wisconsin Experience Grant

The Wisconsin Experience Grant (WEG) supports educational events held by Registered Student Organizations that are free and open to all students and/or have the potential for campus wide impact.

The WEG budget is funded by the Chancellor’s Office, Division of Student Life, Provost’s Office, and Vice Chancellor for Administration in recognition of the vital role which Registered Student Organizations play in enriching the campus through their events and activities.

WEG is centrally administered through the Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement. The mission of SOLI is to cultivate and engage students through practical leadership skill development and involvement experience. To that end, SOLI assists Registered Student Organizations.

Events must provide out-of-class learning experiences that further The Wisconsin Experience by developing a more inclusive, respectful, and healthier campus environment. 

The Wisconsin Experience describes what’s unique about getting a degree from UW–Madison—together, we create and apply learning inside and outside the classroom to make the world a better place.

UW–Madison produces graduates who are creative problem solvers, able to integrate empirical analysis and passion, seek out and create new knowledge and technologies, adapt to new situations, and engage as world citizens. Learn more about the Wisconsin Experience.

Events must also develop student leadership competencies from the UW-Madison Leadership Framework, affording them opportunities to gain knowledge, skills, and abilities, that can be taught or developed. The UW-Madison Leadership Framework, developed collaboratively across campus, can be used for student leadership development. The phenomenon of leadership is the act of working toward positive change in an individual, group, or community’s beliefs, values, or behavior.

Events must include a Structured Learning Component directly related to one of the Core Values of The Wisconsin Experience and one of the Leadership Competencies in the UW-Madison Leadership Framework.

Wisconsin Experience:

• Empathy and Humility
• Relentless Curiosity
• Intellectual Confidence
• Purposeful Action

Leadership Competencies:

• Self-Awareness
• Interpersonal Communication
• Learning and Development of Others
• Context and Culture
• Decision-Making
• Bridge-Building and Collaboration
• Ideas into Action

Core Values of The Wisconsin Experience are inquiry-based, high-impact practices that characterize the intentional integration of in- and out-of-class learning, by creative and entrepreneurial engagement in real-world problems, and through active student leadership. Check out more about the Wisconsin Experience and associated Essential Learning Outcomes.

Leadership Competencies in the UW-Madison Leadership Framework are based on developing individual, group, and community knowledge, skills and abilities. Check out the UW-Madison Leadership Framework, its principles, values, competencies, and outcomes.

The Wisconsin Experience Grant funds Registered Student Organization requests for up to $2,000 per year to support eligible events.

All funds must be paid directly to an approved vendor. WEG will not reimburse any purchases made by an individual or organization. 

RSOs are also encouraged to seek out additional funding options and apply for all eligible funding for their event. Visit the RSO Finances page for additional grant and funding opportunities.

Items eligible for WEG funding include:

1. Food – up to $1,500 may be requested for food

WEG is a campus grant that will provide event funding for food. WEG requires events to provide Structured Learning in conjunction with items that receive funding. If you are interested in using a Wisconsin Union space for multicultural food events with a third-party vendor, please read the Union Multicultural Food Events Policy.

• WEG funds food in the following cases:
  • The business of the event could not be effectively conducted without the inclusion of a meal:
    • Event where attendees actively and intentionally learn about a culture through sampling the food
    • Event lasts long enough that it is unreasonable to expect attendees to go without a snack or meal
    • Event where continuity would be definitively interrupted by breaking up for a meal
  • The business of the event is conducted during the meal:
    • A networking session, guided discussion, or learning activity during a meal
    • A meal-time speaker or performer is scheduled
  • Adequate facilities are not available for the event attendees to eat on their own.
• The following are examples of instances when WEG DOES NOT fund food:
  • A several-day event with Structured Learning on one day and the funding for food requested for a different day
  • The funding request is for food that is not for the event attendees, but just for the event planners, presenters, etc.

2. Honoraria (fee for service)

3. Lodging for speakers, performers, or trainers

4. Transportation for speakers, performers, or trainers

5. Program supplies – limited to one-time use supplies only (for example, event attendee name tags)

6. Facility rental – must be an accessible on campus venue

7. Equipment rental 

8. Printing

9. Advertising

Items and types of events NOT eligible for WEG funding include:

1. Alcohol – no events serving alcohol are eligible for WEG funds

2. Tax – WEG funds CANNOT pay taxes in any form for any service or item

3. Student travel expenses to attend conferences – see ASM Travel Grant for funding.

4. First class air fare – prohibited by State of Wisconsin policy

5. Donations to individuals or organization, gifts (including gift cards), and prizes

6. Social events – events that are not primarily educational and do not provide Structured Learning based on the Core Values of the Wisconsin Experience are not eligible for funds

NOTE: AS OF APRIL 6, 2026, WEG IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2025-26 ACADEMIC YEAR.

Deadlines for WEG applications are 3:00pm on the 1^st and 15^th of each month during the academic year starting in September and ending in May unless funds run out and the application closes early. Check the deadlines for the current academic year below to account for academic breaks.

RSOs must submit their application at least four school weeks before their event and are strongly encouraged to apply earlier.

Online applications must be submitted no later than 3:00pm on the designated due date. No late applications will be accepted.

Funding decisions will be communicated by the WEG Administrator within four weeks of submitting an application. Queries about application decisions before the four-week deadline will not be answered.

For example, for an event on March 13^th, the RSO must submit the online application in time for the February 1^st deadline because the February 15^th deadline is less than a month before their event.

Late submissions will be reviewed following the next deadline period, as long as there is still one month between the next submission date and the event.

For funding requests to bring honorarium speakers, performers, or trainers to the campus, RSOs should apply as early as possible, even months in advance, with one month in advance as the bare minimum due to the time needed for university contracts.

Meet THIS deadline	For events held on or AFTER
September 1	October 1
September 15	October 15
October 1	November 1
October 15	November 15
November 1	December 1
November 15	December 15
December 1*	January 1*
December 1*	January 15*
December 1*	February 1*
December 1*	February 15*
February 1	March 1
February 15	March 15
March 1	April 1
March 15	April 15
March 15*	May 1*

*Because the WEG Review Committee does not meet during academic breaks, we ask that applications are sent in further in advance.

Funded Event Final Documentation and Payment Deadlines

All materials are due via the WEG Final Documentation Form within 15 calendar days of the funded event to remit payment on the RSO’s behalf.

Payment will not be made more than 30 days after the conclusion of the event or after the end of the Fiscal Year (June 30).

1. Event is held by a currently Registered Student Organization
   • All currently registered undergraduate, graduate, and professional student organizations at UW-Madison are eligible.
   • The person who submits the WEG application must be both a member of the Registered Student Organization and a currently registered UW-Madison student.
2. Event is free to attend and open to all UW students and/or has the potential for campus-wide impact
   • Events must be free and steps must be taken to actively attract the entire campus community.
   • The primary audience for the event is UW-Madison students.
   • The event must be non-discriminatory on the basis of sex, gender, identity and expression, race ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, religion, color, creed, national origin, disability, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status, or parental status.
   • Campus-wide impact means that the entire campus will benefit from the learning outcomes of the event and/or that all students, faculty, and staff who were not in attendance will be able to learn about the outcomes of the event.
   • University department co-sponsorship is required if the general public beyond UW students is invited to the event.
   • Requests for closed events will only be considered if there is a compelling justification given on the WEG Application.
3. Event includes a Structured Learning Component and Learning Outcome(s) related to a Core Value of the Wisconsin Experience
   • Events must support the mission of the University and be educational.
   • They must include Structured Learning for students who attend. Structured Learning can include: formal presentations or introductions to aspects of the event, written programs or posters with information about event activities, demonstrations during the event with step-by-step explanations or informative lectures, etc. The Structured Learning must be explained in the WEG Application.
   • Learning Outcome(s) must be articulated in the WEG Application: What do you want attendees to know or do as a result of attending the event? What activity will help them learn this? How will you assess if they learned this from the activity?
4. Event is held at an accessible on-campus location
   • Events must be held in an accessible location on campus.
   • Requests for off-campus facility rental will only be considered if:
     • There is a compelling reason why no on-campus venue is suitable for the event; and
     • The selected off-campus facility is accessible.
5. Event has Documentation of seeking a grant from Associated Students of Madison
   • Events must seek a grant from Associated Students of Madison (ASM) to fund eligible items and provide documentation that an ASM grant was either secured or denied.
   • Apply to ASM Grants.
6. Event has a Marketing Plan and Timeline
   • The event must be publicized at least two weeks in advance and advertising must be accessible to all potential attendees through numerous means.
   • All events that receive WEG funding must acknowledge WEG as a co-funder. Events must include the WEG Logo on all advertising for the event and acknowledge WEG support at the event.
7. Event has the capacity and agrees to record attendance using Office for Student Organizations, Leadership & Involvement Card Scanners
   • The event must be planned so that UW student attendee identification cards (Wiscards) will be scanned in order to provide a record of attendance.
     • One way to assure that Wiscards are systematically scanned is to station a volunteer at the entryway(s) to the event.
   • Paper sign-in sheets to collect the first name, last name, and email address of attendees without Wiscards must also be used.
8. Event takes measures to ensure Fiscal Accountability and Reduce Costs
   • The use of funds for the event must be consistent with Financial Policies for RSOs. For other questions about University Rules and Regulations around university funds, check out the Student Organization Resource & Policy Guide.

Check Event Eligibility for Leadership Certificate Hours

The Leadership Certificate Program serves to both encourage and recognize leadership accomplishments by UW–Madison students and is aligned with the UW–Madison Leadership Framework. As part of the Leadership Certificate, students must complete 100 hours of service and activities. If approved, your event may be eligible as Civic Engagement or Trainings and Workshops hours.

Review the Leadership Certificate requirements to determine if your event qualifies as Civic Engagement or Training and Workshop.

• To be considered “Civic Engagement” the event or activity needs to provide a service that benefits a community or group outside of the student organization or self. Examples include but are not limited to volunteering, tutoring, and/or unpaid political campaigning. For more information, please check out the Leadership Certificate Program.
• To be considered “Trainings and Workshops” the event or activity needs to offer participants the opportunity to engage in learning on leadership or global and cultural competence topics. Examples include but are not limited to leadership workshops, global issues, and or cultural events. Technical skills related workshops do not count towards the Leadership Certificate program. For more information, please check out the Leadership Certificate Program.

Only events that meet these requirements should be submitted for Leadership Certificate eligibility.

A clear and detailed description of the Structured Learning and Learning Outcome(s) for the event is the most important part of the application during the review process.

Structured learning intentionally integrates learning components into the event. Assuming that learning is taking place just by attending the event is not enough. Be intentional about creating a program which directly relates and helps to assure success in meeting your purpose.

For example, if the event is a music concert, then steps to include structured learning could include: a formal introduction, written information in a program, and/or a demonstration of the music followed by a lecture.

Events must include a Structured Learning Component directly related to one of the Core Values of The Wisconsin Experience and UW-Madison Leadership Framework competencies.

Wisconsin Experience

Empathy and Humility
Relentless Curiosity
Intellectual Confidence
Purposeful Action

Core values of The Wisconsin Experience are inquiry-based, high-impact practices that characterize the intentional integration of in- and out-of-class learning, by creative and entrepreneurial engagement in real world problems, and through active student leadership.

UW-Madison Leadership Framework Competencies

The UW-Madison Leadership Framework competencies are skills, abilities, or knowledge sets that can be taught or developed. All competencies have indicators that allow them to be observed and measured.

Self-Awareness – Consistently self-reflecting to reveal strengths, limitations, beliefs, values, attitudes, and motivations that generate engagement; Committing to personal development to provide greater understanding of one’s own identities, experiences, and positionality that affect the ability to facilitate change.

Interpersonal Communication – Developing essential relationships through listening, considering, and responding to the needs of individuals and the situation; Having the ability to communicate in tactful, compassionate, and sensitive ways to enable these relationships to evolve.

Learning and Development of Others – Encouraging opportunities for growth and supporting the learning of individuals and groups through active, responsive, and multi-directional feedback.

Context and Culture – Entering collaboration with humility and openness to learning; Examining the organization, culture, politics, and dynamics within a larger context of current and historical power and oppression; Recognizing systemic influence on actions needed to achieve the group’s goals.

Decision-Making – Employing critical, ethical, and strategic thinking to consider and pursue creative solutions; Assessing the systemic pressures and impact of decisions; Providing space for diverse voices and ideas that inform implementation and evaluation.

Bridge-Building and Collaboration – Through cooperative participation, encouraging everyone to take ownership of the work that is being done and the outcomes that are created; Creating an environment where differences are appreciated, knowing that conflict can serve to expose new solutions to complex problems.

Ideas into Action – Generating a compelling vision that inspires strategy and engagement in complex transformation; Being aware that collaboratively developed processes require steady and flexible interventions.

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) can receive up to $2,000 per year from WEG for events. RSOs can request up to $2,000 per year; only $1,500 for food.

RSOs should only request the amount needed to fund requested items for the event.

Approval of funding is contingent on availability of funds.

WEG seeks to fund as many eligible RSO events as possible each academic year.

Funds will only be paid to a vendor within 30 calendar days of the conclusion of the event and only after the WEG Final Documentation form has been completed and approved. Tax for any items or services cannot be paid by WEG.

Items eligible for WEG funding are subject to University and State of Wisconsin regulations and policies.

Applicants must apply for WEG funding in time to meet the application deadline that is at least one month before the date of the event for which funds are requested.

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) are encouraged to apply for funding as early as possible, especially if funds are sought for honoraria, since university contracting processes take time.

RSOs will receive a funding decision from WEG within four weeks of application.

Applications are reviewed by an independent committee based on the grant’s criteria. The application process is competitive, and not all RSOs that apply will receive funding for their events.

Before Applying

1. Verify RSO is currently registered.
2. Verify event meets WEG funding criteria.
3. Verify deadline for applying to WEG, which must be at least four school weeks before the date of the event that an RSO is requesting funds to support.
4. Determine the primary contact for the application who must be a currently registered UW student affiliated with the RSO applying for funds. The primary contact will need to communicate with the WEG Administrator throughout the grant period to answer questions, sign the grant contract, and provide financial documentation.
5. Review WEG Application Requirements.
6. Gather all relevant information to complete the application.

Applying

1. Login to the Wisconsin Involvement Network (WIN).
2. Go to the Wisconsin Experience Grant page in WIN.
3. Click on the Grant Application Form to begin filling it out.

After Applying

1. Verify WEG Committee funding decisions in the application system within four weeks of the application date.
2. If WEG funding has been awarded, the RSO must schedule a meeting with the WEG Administrator to:
   • Discuss and sign funding contract
   • Discuss and confirm the financial documentation necessary to receive funding
   • Discuss and confirm that publicity for the event will include the WEG Logo
   • Discuss and confirm the creation of WIN event if not previously made
   • Discuss and confirm the submission of Leadership Certificate event request if not previously submitted
   • Discuss any ways that the WEG Administrator or SOLI office can assist RSO with meeting goals for the event
3. Submit all event documentation via the WEG Final Documentation form within 15 calendar days of the conclusion of the event.
   • No invoice or payment will be processed more than 30 calendar days after the event, or after the end of the Fiscal Year (June 30)

You must use one of the following logos on all advertisements, promotional materials, and publications for a WEG funded event.

Wisconsin Experience Grant Logo (Black on White)

Wisconsin Experience Grant Logo (White on Black)

Wisconsin Experience Grant Administrator (Primary Contact)
333 East Campus Mall (10th Floor)
10320 Student Activity Center (SAC)
Email Address: weg@union.wisc.edu

Wisconsin Experience Grant Committee Chair
Ariel Kaufman
333 East Campus Mall (10th Floor)
10320 Student Activity Center (SAC)
Email Address: alkaufm2@wisc.edu