GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING A PROPOSAL FOR THE
ENGAGE THE WORLD FELLOWSHIP

Engage the World Fellowship projects normally take place in the summer or the winter intersession when there is enough time for the student to develop and participate in a scholarly or creative initiative, internship or community service project. However, strong proposals for academic-year projects will be considered. The projects may be in any discipline but should have some connection to a demonstrated academic interest. Although there is no credit given for ETW projects, students are required to discuss their proposal with a faculty adviser and have a letter from him or her in support of the project.

What criteria are used to approve grants?
Quality: What is the quality of the project in terms of significance, originality and intellectual merit?

How does the project fit into the student’s overall goals and career aspirations?

Is there evidence that the student can reasonably complete the project? 

In the case of an internship, volunteer program, or study abroad experience: Is there evidence that the program, site and project is reputable, safe and doable?  Does the student have appropriate contacts, and is there documentation of cooperation for this project from the site?

What does the grant cover?
Students have access of up to $3,000 to complete their projects. It is expected that the time frame for the project will not coincide with any regular semester commitments. Summer internships/projects should be at least 8 weeks in length; please discuss any possible exceptions with the program director.

The grant might cover program fees, travel fees and/or a living stipend. The fees MAY NOT BE USED to cover tuition, and no project for which academic credit is being sought will be approved.

Engage the World Fellows must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to utilize their fellowship funds.

Reporting requirements for this program:

1. It is expected that each project will produce a final product.  Depending upon the proposed activity, that product may take many forms.  Students must discuss this requirement with the ETW program director and include the planned final product in the proposal.
2. The final product, no matter its form, will include a 4- to 6-page paper, stating what was accomplished as well as what was learned.
3. An accounting of how any funds were spent, including receipts for expenditures, is required.

 

Information for Developing a Proposal

Each proposal should be no more than 4 pages, excluding the budget sheet and the faculty letter of support.  The proposal should be comprised of the cover sheet and 1-3 pages that answer the following questions:

1. What do you propose to do?
2. Why do you want to do this? What are your goals in undertaking this project? How will this help further your academic/personal/intellectual development? Why is this project the best way of achieving these goals?
3. What coursework or other experiences have you had that are relevant to this proposal?
4. Please answer whichever question(s) best apply to your proposed project. Most internship questions will be answered in # 2 above

• If you are conducting research:  discuss your methodology. How will you carry out your work? Do you expect a final product in addition to your paper?
• If you are doing community service or volunteer work with a nonprofit organization:  what sort of training or preparation will be needed to achieve the best outcomes for you and the community?
• If you are traveling internationally:  what knowledge do you have about the culture? Language? How will you prepare to be in this new environment?

NOTE:  Any students proposing an internship must register the internship through the Career Center. More information can be found at: http://www.dickinson.edu/career/student/registerforinternship.html.
In such instances, only the Career Center supervisor form will be required.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this proposal. In order for an application to be complete, each proposal must contain:

• Cover sheet
• Detailed answers to questions 1-4
• Budget sheet
• Supervisor form (if appropriate)
• Signed letter of support from a faculty member.

A limited number of additional materials (brochures/newsletters/Web site information) also can be submitted so that the ETW Committee can learn more about the organization/location where the project will occur. These materials are not necessary unless requested by the ETW Committee.

Each application should be submitted electronically to the ETW program director for subsequent distribution to the committee. Additionally, a hard copy should be submitted to:
Rebecca Bliss
Biddle House
245-1080
blissr@dickinson.edu

***These are general deadlines; if they fall on a weekend or holiday, the observed date will be the business day that falls closest to the established deadline date.