Center for Global Engagement Grant

Go abroad, at home.

Grant Opportunity:  Recognizing that one need not travel abroad to make a global difference, CGE and the Buffett Center will offer grants to undergraduate students wishing to explore an international issue from a domestic perspective or setting during the summer of 2012.

Proposals should seek to engage NU students with the world or vice versa, through a project that involves direct engagement with people anywhere in the US, on a topic of international relevance.
Projects should move beyond personal edification and toward creating impact or knowledge at Northwestern and/or for the communities with which candidates are working. Projects must be designed for sharing. For example:

1. A student interested in refugee issues might interview refugees and produce an oral history project that he/she shares with a local community publicly through an exhibit on campus, at a refugee-owned establishment, etc.
2. A student interested in Diaspora philanthropy might study the ways in which Diaspora communities support philanthropic causes abroad and then present his/her findings to multicultural groups at NU and around Chicago for a fundraising event or submit a working paper on her findings to the CGE working paper series.
3. A technologically savvy student might pair a middle school classroom in his/her hometown with a classroom in the developing world – so that students across borders meet and learn from one another virtually.
4. Be creative!

Grant Size:  Up to $3,500

Who:  Undergraduates students of any major are encouraged to apply. Group proposals from 2-3 students are acceptable, but the proposal should address why multiple students are working on a single project, and how the $3,500 grant will be split among awardees.

Application Process:  For this grant, the student(s) need not have all the details worked out. Applicants should be able to articulate their idea and why it would be valuable to the Northwestern community, how it is globally relevant, and why it is unique.

1. The application deadline is March 30, 2012.  Before the deadline, applicants should meet at least once with either Brad Zakarin from the Office of Fellowships (b-zakarin@northwestern.edu), or Nicole Patel from CGE (nicole-patel@northwestern.edu).
2. Applicants will submit a 2-page proposal outlining their idea, attach a correspondence from the local partners who will aid in the facilitation of the project, and a budget outlining tentative costs.
3. Strong proposals will cover the issue candidates hope to address with their projects, sketch an action plan with an appropriate budget, note possible or confirmed local partners that will help execute plans, and briefly explain applicants’ qualifications.
4. The top applicants will be invited for a formal interview in mid-April.
5. Winners will work with CGE and its network to move the idea from paper into reality – as much or as little support as the student(s) require will be provided.

Email:  cge@u.northwestern.edu with questions.