The Program of Research, Teaching, and Applied Learning (PORTAL) offers opportunities for faculty to engage during the summer in scholarly activities that directly provide credit-bearing applied learning experiences for students. The program is intended to contribute to the growing reputation of Missouri Western as the Applied Learning University in the state of Missouri. PORTAL activity is expected to increase the number of peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and exhibitions with student coauthors, to institutionalize summer student research and creative activity, to increase the number and quality of applied learning opportunities for students, to increase external funding related to applied learning, and to improve the culture of peer-reviewed faculty scholarly achievement.