School of Education and Social Policy Undergraduate Opportunities Fund
Established by the School of Education and Social Policy through generous contributions from alumni and friends
Overview
The Undergraduate Opportunities Fund (“Opportunities Fund”) was established in 2009 to support academic and community endeavors of undergraduate students in the School of Education and Social Policy (SESP).
Eligibility
The fund provides support for (SESP) undergraduates’ special projects. The project might be under the direction of a faculty member, or might be an endeavor of the student’s own choosing, such as those undertaken by undergraduate student organizations. Students are eligible for one award from the Opportunities Fund during the course of their undergraduate studies. Student organizations are eligible for one award annually. If the project is research-oriented, students are encouraged to apply for funding through the Hess Fund or for an undergraduate research grant.
Support
Students may apply for support from the Opportunities Fund for items that support or advance their project. Examples include but are not limited to expenses associated with an academic conference, travel or a community initiative.
Deadlines
The School of Education and Social Policy will accept requests for support from the Opportunities Fund by the specified quarterly deadline. This deadline will be the end of the sixth week of the quarter. For 2009-10, the deadlines are Friday, October 30, 2009; February 12, 2010; and May 7, 2010. If timing issues associated with a particular opportunity require off-cycle review, those applications will be considered; however, such requests must be submitted with as much advance notice as possible, and a minimum of 30 days is required for review, processing and notification.
Application Procedures
There is no specific form to fill out. SESP undergraduates interested in applying for funding should submit a letter/set of materials to Susan Olson that includes the following:
• Name, year, SESP program
• Name of sponsoring faculty member(s) or organization advisor(s), if applicable
• Project title and description (a summary of the work to be completed)
• Indication of whether this work is part of a class or student organization
• Calendar or timeline for the project
• Budget and budget rationale (a statement indicating why the item proposed for funding is needed)
• Contact information
In some cases, the following will be requested:*
• Statement of support from a sponsoring faculty member or advisor.
• Notification as to other sources of funding for which the student has applied for the same project/item.
*The School of Education and Social Policy will ask for additional information from applicants as needed, and students will be notified accordingly. Students should expect to provide additional information, such as the examples listed, when required.
Decisions & Notification
Awards from the Opportunities Fund are made at the discretion of the Assistant Dean. The Assistant Dean will consult, as needed, with faculty members, student advisors and School administrators. Students will receive notification of the status of their requests by e-mail from the Assistant Dean or designee. Any faculty member named as a sponsor, reviewer or advisor will also be notified. SESP will occasionally publicize awards from the Opportunities Fund, and by acceptance of funding students agree to cooperate with requests for photos, interviews, etc. Students may also be asked to write to or meet with donors to the fund.
Processing Awards
Opportunities Fund awards are typically disbursed via reimbursement of those expenses proposed in the budget and authorized as part of the award. In order to receive a reimbursement, students must comply with University policies concerning travel, allowable/unallowable expenses, proper documentation (including provision of acceptable receipts) and timeliness. Instructions on these matters are provided with the initial award notification.
Questions?
All interested students are encouraged to apply. Please direct questions to Susan Olson, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, susan-olson@northwestern.edu; or Daphne Nwankpa, d-nwankpa@northwestern.edu, Program Assistant.
School of Education and Social Policy Undergraduate Opportunities Fund