The Office of Externally Sponsored Programs is devoted to fulfilling Berea College’s commitment to provide educational opportunities for students primarily from Appalachia, black and white, who have great promise and limited economic resources. Eight federally funded programs currently work out of the Office of Exterenally Sponsored Programs to support the college in reaching this initiative. The oldest of these programs at Berea College, Upward Bound, has been serving low income, first generation high school students since 1967. Since that time, the college has also acquired the following federal programs: Educational Talent Search (1991), GEAR UP (1999), Upward Bound Math and Science (1999), Kentucky College Coaches (2010), and Promise Neighborhood (2010). Through these programs, a total of 18 counties in Kentucky are being served.

The Office of Externally Sponsored Programs is designed to ensure that Berea College consistently administers federally funded programs; ensuring compliance with College and federal requirements. Proper implementation is essential for each program to ensure all goals and objectives are met in a timely manner, so that each program can have the greatest effect on the most number of people. In addition, the Office of Externally Sponsored Programs will assist members of the campus community in identifying and developing other sources of federal funding, which will support the overall mission of Berea College.