Through our John Keshishoglou Center for Global Communications Innovation, we offer grants for faculty and students to travel for research or production projects. For example, students have traveled to Europe to study international versions of Sesame Street; they've attended sessions of the United Nations Climate Summit, they have produced documentaries and formed non-profits in India, we've funded a faculty-led research trip for students to study children's television programming, and supported faculty study of the adoption of social media in emerging markets.
Faculty and Student Travel Grants
Student Grants
The following grants and awards are available to all Park School students; information about how and when to apply is publicized each year through Park e-News.
James B. Pendleton Student Research and Production Grants
The James B. Pendleton Research and Production Grants are open to all full-time students enrolled in the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College for completion of projects such as scholarly research, creative and journalistic writing, and producing / finishing media projects that are worthy of exhibition and distribution. Grants of up to $1,000 are given in both fall and spring semesters. Links to the Research and Production Grant forms are near the bottom of this page.
James B. Pendleton Grant for Festival and Conference Attendance
We provide support for travel and registration / entry fees for students to present their research or media projects at conferences, to enter their films into festivals, to attend collegiate and professional conferences and trade shows such as the Consumer Electronics Show and the National Association of Broadcasters trade show, and for student members of clubs to attend regional and national conventions. To apply, please submit a brief proposal explaining what you would like funding for and when the travel takes place along with a detailed budget to Staci Hall at shall@ithaca.edu.
Reginald Simmons Memorial Award
Reginald (Reggie) Simmons '75, a thoughtful and respected scholar of political science and African affairs, passed away in 2003 at age 50. Simmons devoted his career to improving the lives of the people of Africa. In his honor, former classmate Bob Iger '73 has established the Reggie Simmons Memorial Award, which each year will send two students to participate in a program with which Simmons worked for many years: Operation Crossroads Africa (OCA). OCA is America's premier cross-cultural exchange program designed to promote understanding of Africa and its culture. Students who are majors in the Park School or in the Politics Department are eligible. Graduating seniors are not eligible. The deadline for submission of the essay application is typically in mid-February.
David R. Ames Film Award
This annual award is designed to inspire creativity and recognize the talents of young scriptwriters and filmmakers. Thanks to the generosity of David R. Ames '72, a media technology and alternative energy entrepreneur, this award will provide funding up to $5,000.00 to produce the winning 8-15 page original script for an 8-12 minute narrative (not documentary or experimental or music video) film over spring break each academic year. The winner is selected by a panel of faculty judges.
All full-time Park students are eligible and encouraged to submit a short narrative script for consideration. Finalists will be asked to put together a production team filling all key crew positions, a production proposal and pitch their projects to the award committee. The selected projects team will be enrolled in a 1-credit mini course during the spring semester. Projects funded by this award can not be submitted towards any other credit bearing course.
Submissions are generally due in mid-October; finalists are announced in early November and finalists pitch their projects in late November. A winner is selected in early December. Pre-production happens early in the spring semester, principal photography is shot over spring break, and the final screening happens near the end of the semester.
Student Research & Production Grant Forms
Pendleton Student Grant Application Forms for Spring 2025
Use these guidelines to apply for the Pendleton Student Research and Production Grant by Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. EDT
A complete proposal package will have all of the following emailed to bhawley@ithaca.edu :
1. Signed Signature Page
2. One-page typed proposal
3. One-page budget proposal
4. Completed Faculty Recommendation Form that is emailed directly from faculty to Brandy Hawley.
You can download free Adobe software to complete these forms here: https://get.adobe.com/reader/
Pendleton Student Grant Application Guidelines – Spring 2025 -
pendleton-student-grant-application-guidelines-sp25 (pdf)
Pendleton Student Grant Signature Page – Spring 2025 -
pendleton-student-grant-signature-page-sp25 (pdf)
Pendleton Student Grant Budget Proposal – Spring 2025 -
pendleton-student-grant-budget-proposal-sp25 (xlsx)
Pendleton Student Grant Faculty Recommendation – Spring 2025 -
pendleton-student-grant-faculty-rec-sp25 (pdf)
Funding for student internships
We also offer funding for students pursuing internships. There are a number of scholarships and funds available for students meeting the specific criteria established for each.
Faculty Grants
Faculty may apply for Pendleton Grants for research, production, or the creation of an outreach event such as a festival, workshop or conference. There are three deadlines each year announced through internal email.
Ithaca College offers additional Resources for Faculty through various Faculty Awards and Grants support including Sponsored Research, Dana Professorships, Professional Development Mini Grants, and several programs administered by the Center for Faculty Excellence.
For More Information
If you have questions about these Park School grant opportunities, please contact Associate Dean Rob Gearhart.