Funding for Service
The Urban Studies Program, Stanford’s Haas Center, and some outside agencies, offer opportunities for undergraduates to receive funding for public service and service-oriented research.
The Urban Studies Fellowship provides undergraduates with the opportunity to complement their academic studies with a full-time, paid, internship experience.
Although preference will be given to Urban Studies majors, all Stanford undergraduates are eligible to apply. (Urban Studies majors are required to complete an internship as part of their course of study. Although students are encouraged to complete their internship in the Spring quarter while enrolled in Urban Studies 201B, not all are able to do so. This summer internship will allow majors the opportunity to complete their required internship hours as well as engage in a summer-long full-time position addressing urban issues.)
PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS
To be eligible for an internship students need to identify and secure the support of both an on-site supervisor and a faculty mentor who together would guide the internship experience. (Students may consult Urban Studies staff to learn about previous placement sites.) Students are to identify an internship site that fits their interests and major course of study. The internship sites need to be with government agencies or non-profit organizations committed to public service, public policy, community development or research on urban issues. Students are expected to work for a minimum of 40 hours per week for 8 weeks during the summer at the internship site.
Summer interns are required to submit regular progress reports to identify challenges and accomplishments during the course of the internship experience. They are expected to participate in a mix of on-line and face-to-face sessions with their faculty mentors and other interns over the course of the summer. At the conclusion of the internships, all students will complete a final report about their internship activities and experiences. Upon returning to school in the fall, Urban Studies will organize an internship forum to allow students to share their experiences with other interns, faculty, community members, and interested students. Fellows are also encouraged to participate in the Symposium of Undergraduate Research and Public Service (SURPS) in the Fall.
All interns will participate in an ongoing evaluation process designed for the internship. This process will include both a mid-term and final evaluation between the student and the community mentor/supervisor. In addition, the program administrator will conduct a mid-term interview with the community supervisor and a concluding interview with the student.
PRE-FIELD PREPARATION
Fellowship recipients are required to demonstrate adequate preparation, and, when necessary, should enroll in an appropriate preparation course in the Spring quarter. During the spring quarter students will also work with Urban Studies staff to finalize arrangements with their placement site, and with their faculty mentor to ensure that the internship meets their academic as well as personal goals.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Priority is given to undergraduate students:
• In the Urban Studies major
• In their junior year working on an honors thesis or senior project addressing urban issues.
• In the Urban Studies minor
• Whose proposed summer fellowship articulates a strong interest in urban issues.
Students may apply to Haas Center Fellowships, including the Haas Urban Summer Fellowship, as well as to the Urban Studies Summer Fellowship. However, a student may only accept one fellowship. For more information about the distinction between the Urban Studies and Haas Urban Fellowships, dowload a one-page pdf here .
TIMELINE
December - February: Applications will be available during this time on–line, at https://www.stanford.edu/dept/haas/inside/urbanstudies.fb
February 6, 2012, 11:59 pm: Applications are due.
STIPEND
Urban Studies summer fellows will receive $6000 during the course of their internship. This stipend is meant to support a student’s full time commitment to their 8 week summer internship. Students should not hold part-time jobs or other paid positions during this time. Funds may be used for expenses associated with the internship including housing, travel, supplies and equipment purchases, and may also include a stipend. Students are expected to submit a budget of estimated costs during the spring quarter. Upon confirmation of a student’s partnering organization, an additional $500 honorarium will be provided to the organization for their supervising and mentoring services.
Following University policy, the Urban Studies Summer Fellowship can not fund travel to countries on the State department’s travel warning list. For more information please click here.
QUESTIONS
Please contact Michael Kahan, Associate Director of Urban Studies, at mkahan@stanford.edu.
Ready to Apply? Click here!
Stanford Funding: The Haas Center’s Undergraduate Summer Fellowships page contains application information and links to detailed descriptions of each program. Urban Studies majors have been particularly successful in winning the Urban Summer Fellowship, but have won many others as well. You should consider visiting the Haas Center in person, to speak with staff and get more information about all available opportunities.
Outside Funding: The Haas Center programs are excellent, and probably the most accessible funding options for undergraduates interested in service. However, you may also want to explore Idealist , a searchable database that includes volunteer and intern opportunities, some of which may involve a stipend. Rotary International also supports service projects and applicants may be current students.
Post-Graduation Opportunities: If you are looking for funding for service endeavors after graduation, visit the Service Year Opportunities section of the website.