Experiential Learning at Buffalo State
Experiential learning refers to the process of gaining knowledge through direct experience—"learning by doing." Students involved in experiential learning activities apply knowledge and skills gained from traditional classroom learning to hands-on activities, often in real-world settings. Students can then apply new knowledge and skills gained from the experience back to their academic learning. The experiential learning activity often occurs outside of the traditional lecture classroom and is often accessed as part of a special program on campus. At other times, experiential learning is a required component of a course or a program and access is achieved through the faculty or academic department.
Experiential learning activities can take the form of special projects, directed research, immersion in a new culture, working in the community, special training, or gaining experience in a work setting.
This page is meant to serve as a portal to help students, faculty, and staff find hands-on learning opportunities.
Current Opportunities
Undergraduate Research Programs
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EURO page at Undergraduate Research EURO application
Early Undergraduate Research Opportunity (EURO)
The EURO program provides lower-division students with the opportunity to serve as research assistants under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Awards of $1,000 are available for full EURO projects, while EURO Micro-Projects offer awards of $500.In addition, up to $200 in funding may be requested for project-related supplies. Eligible students must have completed at least 12, but no more than 60, credits from Buffalo State at the time of application. The faculty mentor submits the application.
Deadline for EURO faculty applications: Monday, September 28, 2026
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AURA page at Undergraduate Research AURA application
Advanced Undergraduate Research Award (AURA)
The AURA program supports upper-division students pursuing independent research, creative, or scholarly projects outside of regular coursework under the mentorship of a faculty member. Selected students will receive a $1,000 award, with up to $500 in additional funding available to support project-related expenses. At the time of application, students must have completed at least 60 credit hours (junior or senior standing), including the most recent 12 credits at Buffalo State. Preference will be given to full-time students with strong academic records and to those who have previously demonstrated success through participation in EURO.
Student application deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Faculty deadline for completion and approval: Friday, October 2, 2026.
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SGA page at Undergraduate Research SGA application
Undergraduate Research Small Grant Awards (SGA)
The SGA program offers support to undergraduate students who seek to undertake research, scholarly, or creative projects under the mentorship of a faculty or staff member during the academic year. Individual projects may be awarded up to $500, while collaborative projects involving two or more students may receive up to $750. These funds may be used to cover equipment, supplies, and travel costs related to execution of the project. Recipients of the award are required to present their work at the 2027 Spring Student Showcase.
Student application deadline: Monday, October 5.
Faculty mentor application and approval deadline: Wednesday, October 7.
Conferences and Travel
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Student Travel programs
Undergraduate Research Travel program GSA funding for graduate studentsFunds to assist students to travel to conferences to present research and scholarly findings. Graduate students may also travel for professional development opportunities.
Deadline: ongoing
Paid Internships
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Student application Career and Professional Education (CAPE)
Fall 2026 SUNY Internship Funding
SUNY has again made funds available for students pursuing fall 2026 internships. Each student is eligible to receive up to $1,000. This funding can be used for general living expenses, professional clothing, and transportation, as well as costs associated with housing or rent.
Students must submit applications by Friday, September 18, 2026.
Other
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Small Business Development Center
The Bengal Entrepreneurship Competition
This Buffalo State University Certificate Program, offered through the Greater Buffalo Small Business Development Center, provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools to successfully start their own businesses. offers students the chance to win $4,500 in prizes for their businesses. Students can attend practice sessions to work on their pitch, gain new insights, and improve their skills. Students still in the planning stages of their business are welcome to participate as well.
Sessions will be held in Caudell Hall 110 on September 10, September 24, October 8, and October 22 from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m.
Questions can be sent to Olivia Harbol at Harbolo@buffalostate.edu.
Offices and Programs
Global Engagement
The Maurene Callahan Bouras Center for Global Engagement leads the charge for campus internationalization by providing immersive cultural experiences that impact students’ ability to respectfully engage with and learn from differences. At Buffalo State we are on the forefront of applying a social justice perspective to support and cultivate global citizenship. Our experiential learning programs for students include:
- Study-Away—both short-term, faculty led programs and longer study abroad experiences
- National Student Exchange
Community Partnerships and Engagement
Community Partnerships and Engagement form the core of the urban-engaged anchor mission of Buffalo State. Buffalo State builds and maintains numerous reciprocal community partnerships that promote equity; address community-identified priorities through research, volunteerism, teaching, and direct engagement; and provide experiential learning opportunities, such as service-learning, to our students.
Community Partnerships and Engagement
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate research is a student-faculty collaboration that is forged to examine, create, and share new knowledge or creative works. Undergraduate Research programs support research projects, travel , and fellowship awards for undergraduate students in all disciplines at all levels. Undergraduate Research also hosts the annual Student Research and Creativity Conference at Buffalo State for both undergraduate and graduate students wishing to share the results of their research, creative, or scholarly activities.
Undergraduate Research
Anne Frank Project
The Anne Frank Project utilizes story-based programming to provide powerful learning experiences for students, educators, businesses, and community organizations. The Anne Frank Project sponsors the Rwanda study away program, campus workshops, professional internships, student orientations, and social justice festivals.
The Anne Frank Project website
Internships
The Buffalo State University Career and Professional Education Center (CAPE) provides comprehensive services to matriculated undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, employers, and faculty/staff. An internship is a type of applied learning experience for which a student may earn academic credit in an agreed-upon, short-term, supervised workplace activity, which is often related to a student’s major field. The work can be full or part-time during the semester or summer, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid. Career-related internships are usually completed in a student’s junior or senior year.
Internships at the CAPE website
Graduate Student Programs
Graduate academic programs often include an applied-learning requirement (e.g. thesis research, master's project, student teaching) as part of the degree requirements. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers funding to help offset the costs for these and other experiential learning opportunities at the graduate level. Funding is available for needed supplies, travel, and professional development opportunities.
Graduate Student Association (GSA) funding website