Saints Start Challenge Grants
Saints Start Challenge Grant recipient Susan Choi '23 explaining her project to past recipient Zemichael Habtegiorgis '22 and Faculty Director Dr. Mary Jane Smith.
The guidelines for the Saints Start Challenge Grants are as follows:
1. To be eligible, students must be rising juniors.
2. Up to $2750 may be requested to cover housing, supplies/materials, and income replacement. Travel expenses or tuition will not be paid from this fund. A detailed budget must be included with the application.
3. A faculty or staff sponsor must recommend your proposal via this webform.
4. The proposed project should be completed during the first half of the summer (i.e., June 30). A final reflective statement on your experience and a project poster will be due July 31. Presentations on the completed projects will be delivered during the following fall or spring.
5. Here is a link to submit required application materials. Applications are due no later than 5pm Wednesday, February 15th.
6. Proposals will be reviewed by a committee that will consider each according to the following criteria: how well thought-out, feasible, and polished the proposal is; how well-prepared the student seems in terms of ability to complete the proposal (based on courses taken, grades, and other skills mentioned in the proposal); the clarity of relationship between the project as proposed and the long-term academic and post-graduation goals the student has outlined in the reflection; etc.
7. Recipients of awards who will travel internationally as a part of their project will be required to participate in CIIS's training and safety programs in the spring before departure.
8. Projects should be designed to run for up to four weeks and be completed by June 30, 2023.
9. In the past, the selection committee has been able to support a variety of self-designed creative projects, volunteer commitments, internships, and hands-on research projects. Successful projects have actively engaged in personal and professional mentorship and have sought out community impacts and connections. These projects, which have been conceived by students and supported by both faculty and community members, have reflected applicants' interests, areas of curiosity, conviction, and commitments. They have aimed to provide a transformative experience for those involved in the project and have promoted students' positive and intentional exploration.