The ReachOut 56-81-06 Domestic Fellowship
Description:
Candidates for ReachOut 56-81-06 Domestic Fellowships, who need not be U.S. citizens, find a suitable public interest organization that agrees in advance to make a position available, and then work with the organization to devise a significant project or function. The non-profit organization must be located in the United States, but there is no restriction on the scope or purpose of the service activity chosen.
Unlike the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program (PIP), where the host organizations provide stipends for the individuals, members of the Classes of 1956, 1981, and 2006 supply the funds for ReachOut 56-81-06 Domestic Fellowships. This enables the selection of organizations that do not otherwise have the financial wherewithal to sponsor a Princeton graduate.
The merits of the project and the sponsoring organization will be considered in the granting of fellowships.
Criteria for Selection:
The principal (although not exclusive) criteria for selection are:
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the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to volunteerism and public interest
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the significance and lasting impact of the proposed project or function
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the mission and effectiveness of the sponsoring organization
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academic performance and other personal qualifications
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ReachOut 56-81-06 Domestic & International Fellowships
Advisors:
Ms. Tracy Pogue '81, advisor for international fellowships, pogue.tracy@gmail.com, tel: (646) 228-2699
Ms. Jean Telljohann '81, advisor for domestic fellowships, jtelljohann@gmail.com, tel: (609) 921-1850
Application Procedure:
Princeton Seniors may apply online using the Princeton University Global Programs System (GPS) site.
Candidates may apply for either of the two Fellowships, or, if the proposed project meets the requirements of each, a single application can be made for both of them. Applications are due January 9, 2024.
Anyone interested in applying for either of the Fellowships is encouraged to e-mail one of the advisers listed above as early as possible with a description of your potential project and any questions you may have about crafting a viable proposal. The board of ReachOut works closely with interested students to provide feedback. Any proposal drafts submitted to either advisor by January 2, 2024, will be reviewed by a second board member and returned with comments.
Please follow the format outlined below for submitting your application. It consists of three parts. Please mark each section clearly. Please contact the ReachOut alumni advisors with any questions.
Interview date: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 (and, if needed, on Wednesday, January 31)
I. Cover Sheet.
The cover sheet should be no more than one page and should include the following sections.
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Applicant name and concentration at Princeton. Include any certificates you expect to receive at graduation.
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Title of Proposed Project. The title of the project should be brief and should easily allow a reader to understand the nature of your proposal.
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Affiliations. Name of organization(s), if any, that you propose to affiliate with, together with the name, title, contact information of the person or persons with whom you have spoken or corresponded, and website, if applicable.
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Abstract. A 50-100 word concise abstract of your project.
II. Proposal Narrative.
Provide a detailed narrative in the range of 5-8 pages explaining your project. Please include the following sections marked accordingly.
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Project. How did you identify the particular project you are proposing? Why is it worth doing? What are your relevant skills and experience? Please include a brief breakdown of the various phases of the project, if appropriate; that is, explain how you plan to use your time.
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Lasting Impact. Will your project have lasting, positive outcomes after you have finished your year? What do you see them as being? How will the organization continue the work you have initiated?
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Affiliations. Explain why you hope to affiliate with any organization or organizations in the course of pursuing your project. How did you identify these organizations? What can they offer your project? Detail any contacts you have had with this organization.
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Feasibility. Can your project be accomplished within the timeframe and budget allowed by the fellowship? What challenges or obstacles do you foresee interfering with your success? How do you plan to overcome these?
III. Budget
Provide a budget for your fellowship (housing and other living expenses, airfare or other travel expenses, and/or any direct project expenses). Please note that ReachOut neither provides health insurance nor pays for a fellow's medical expenses. Therefore, please remember also to include amounts for both health insurance and for other medical expenses in your budget.
IV. Other Application Requirements
Applicants must submit the following materials with the proposal to The ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowship Selection Committee through the GPS system no later than the deadline.
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Resume
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Academic transcript(s) (one certified original)
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At least two letters of recommendation
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Letter of endorsement from the sponsoring organization, if applicable
One letter of recommendation should be from a member of the Princeton faculty who knows the applicant well enough to assess his or her ability to complete the proposed project successfully. In cases where the applicant’s thesis topic is relevant to the project, a letter from the thesis adviser should be included. If the candidate has been actively engaged in community involvement as an undergraduate, a letter from someone who has supervised or observed the applicant’s work would be welcome.
The letter of endorsement from the sponsoring organization must address the following set of questions:
- Name of Organization:
- Organization Size
How many paid staff positions?
How many volunteer staff positions?
Annual Budget?
- Organization Mission Statement?
- ReachOut Fellow’s Project:
- Name, title, and contact information of supervisor who would be the liaison for ReachOut fellowship project:
- What guidance and resources will the fellow receive from your organization?
- Will there be regular meetings or other contact with the fellow?
- Please summarize your understanding of the ReachOut fellow’s proposed project:
- How will the proposed ReachOut project further your organization’s mission?
- Please rate how important this project is for your organization’s success, using a scale of 1-10 with 1 being “Absolutely Essential” and 10 being “Nice But Not Really Necessary”)
- Did your organization perceive this need prior to contact with the fellowship applicant? Why had the organization not addressed it before?
- If not for the ReachOut fellowship, would it be possible for the organization to accomplish the proposed project in some other way?
- How will the work product of the fellow be used?
- Will their project somehow continue at the end of the year, or is it a “one-and-done” project?
- If the project will continue, how will that effort be sustained after the fellow’s departure?
- If the fellow you would be sponsoring is chosen to receive a ReachOut fellowship, would you welcome questions about the project from a fellowship committee member over the course of the year?
- Are there any questions, concerns or reservations you have about this project now?
Letters of recommendation and the letter of endorsement may be submitted to the Office of Fellowship Advising electronically via the GPS system.
Candidates will then be interviewed by a committee on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 (and, if needed, on Wednesday, January 31). Interviews are an important part of ReachOut's selection process. Those awarded fellowships will be notified in late February.
Additional Information
ReachOut56-81-06 will provide each fellow during his or her term with one or more supportive mentors from the Classes of 1956, 1981, or 2006. Progress reports are expected, and upon completion of the project, fellows will be asked to submit a written report to ReachOut56-81-06, as well as to meet with the ReachOut56-81-06 Board of Directors to discuss the experience. There will be an Advisory Council, consisting of past fellows, to help with the selection of future candidates and projects and to otherwise improve the program.
The board of ReachOut56-81-06 is hopeful that the fellowship experience will help motivate those chosen to pursue a lifetime of public interest activities.