EDGE Initiative (Empowering Development, Growth, and Experience)

Due to fluctuating funding and unpredictable application volumes, not all eligible applications may receive full funding. Partial funding may be awarded. Final award amounts depend on:

• The number and quality of applications received in a given intake
• Demonstrated alignment with EDGE Initiative goals
• Clarity of budget and requested support
• Whether the applicant has received funding in a previous term

There is no guarantee or expectation of full funding for any application.

The EDGE Initiative supports experiences where the primary purpose is educational and professional development. Funded activities must offer a clear and direct benefit to your skills and career goals, not incidental exposure.

Applications must demonstrate how the experience will:

• Strengthen key professional competencies (e.g., teamwork, research, critical thinking, communication)
• Advance your understanding of an industry or career path in a structured, purposeful way (not incidental or haphazard)
• Enable you to apply knowledge or skills to enhance the ASB student experience (e.g., through sharing knowledge or creating something of value for the community)

The premise of the event, for the majority of attendees, must clearly align with educational, leadership, or professional development goals, not general interest or tourism.

Applications with vague justifications such as passive networking, general attendance, or activities where, when viewed by a reasonable average person, the primary purpose appears to be personal, recreational, or passive in nature are not eligible for funding

• For example: attending a science fiction convention, a consumer auto show, or an Oilers game, and claiming the intent is to "learn about the industry" or "explore a career path" does not qualify.

• Similarly, a student indicating a desire to visit Banff to learn about hospitality would not be considered eligible unless they are attending a structured, conference-based event such as MTS or RMBS, with specific learning outcomes and deliverables. Simply traveling to a destination where incidental learning might occur does not meet EDGE Initiative criteria.

The EDGE Initiative may support expenses related to:

• Conferences and seminars with structured learning objectives
• Skill-building workshops or bootcamps
• Professional association events relevant to your career goals
  
• Experiential learning activities like case competitions (not already subsidized by ASB)

Experiential learning activities like case competitions (not already subsidized by ASB)

The EDGE Initiative does not support:

• Certification and exam fees (e.g., CPA, CFA, or prep courses)
• Research travel tied to an academic activity (e.g., field work or visiting scholars)
• Academic-credit activities (e.g., CSL, study abroad, field school, practicums)
• Internships or work placements (paid or unpaid)
• Paid participation (e.g., honoraria is issued to attendee)
• Lost wages or income during participation
• Student Group event/activity costs* (e.g., catering, speaker fees, parking)
• Personal expenses (e.g., clothing, personal care, child care, pet care, gear, souvenirs)
• Volunteer-related expenses (e.g., mileage, accommodation, or other incidental costs incurred as a volunteer for a student group or any other organization). The intention is not to offset costs that should be managed by the organization coordinating the volunteer activity.
• EDGE Initiative cannot be used to offset the costs of starting or operating a business or entrepreneurial venture, including expenses related to for-profit or not-for-profit small businesses.
• Funding also does not cover expenses incurred through volunteer activities.

When submitting your budget in the application, it must demonstrate financial prudence, and you should research the activity. Expenses must be reasonable and reflect prudence, good judgement, and due regard for economy. All application budget expenses must be in alignment with the University of Alberta Travel & Expense Procedure, and the University of Alberta Schedule of Allowable Expenses. If your application is successful, all expenses must be in alignment with the same procedures. You must provide the estimated amounts in Canadian dollars (OANDA currency conversion).

• Applications are submitted through the “Apply Here” button above.
• Applications must include responses to the following three questions:
  • How will this specific activity help you to explore leadership skills, and professional goals? (max. 200 words)
  • What knowledge, skills and abilities will you develop through this activity, and how will you apply them after the activity? (max. 200 words)
  • Please list any additional information you would like the adjudication committee to know. (max. 150 words)
• Prior to submitting an application, we strongly encourage students to have all activity information ready including estimated expenses such as entry fee.
• Applications will open one month before the deadline.
• Applications must be received before the proposed activity has occurred; retroactive applications are not permitted.
• Students must apply for the deadline in which their activity falls. Late applications will be ineligible. If an activity spans multiple deadlines, the application must be submitted for the deadline in which the activity starts. For example: If the activity begins November 10 and goes until June, one must apply for the deadline in which November falls - which would be the September 15 deadline.
• An EDGE Initiative decision will be made within 4 weeks following the end of the application period.
• Students may not resubmit an EDGE Initiative application if the original application has been denied; unless the reason for denial is due to the application being submitted too early (i.e., before the noted time period for the activity).
• Funding decisions are not appealable.

Applications are submitted through the “Apply Here” button above.

• Participating in a national case competition with structured feedback, team collaboration, and a final deliverable
• Attending a summit where you actively contribute (e.g., pitch, workshop, or panel) and commit to sharing insights with a student club afterward
• Joining a professional development bootcamp or skill lab that results in a project or portfolio outcome
• Completing a training session where you receive hands on experience with skills applicable to your schoolwork and/or future career
• Attend a conference focused on your area of interest, participate in interactive sessions, and take home valuable, relevant, and applicable insights

In order to receive their reimbursement, recipients are required to submit a post-event report and testimonial. The questions are as follows:

• Briefly describe the event or initiative. What was the purpose? (Suggested length: 150–300 words)
• What motivated you to participate in this event or initiative? How does it connect to your current major, job, extra-curricular activities (if any) and future career aspirations? 
• What are 2–3 key takeaways from the event that contributed to your professional development, employability, or inspiration within your desired field?
• What is one concrete action you plan to take as a result of attending this event? Share a specific step, goal, or behavior you intend to pursue based on what you learned or experienced.
• This activity supported my professional development or career readiness by helping me...(Select all that apply)