Global Service Grant
The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship
Call for Proposals
Service is an important manifestation of global citizenship. International service is also a valuable way for students to gain insights into other cultures and societies. The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship supports student participation in service activities abroad through the Global Service Grant Program. A Global Service Grant covers travel expenses for students who will be engaged in volunteer service projects overseas during the summer months.
Individual grants will go toward airfare (or alternative transportation to and from the project site) up to $1,200. Students and/or the organizations with which they will work are responsible for all other expenses. Interested students must apply to the Director of The Principal Financial Group Center for Global Citizenship for a Global Service Grant. Eligibility is limited to students enrolled in the Global Ambassador Program. Final decisions about grant awards will be made by the CGC Director based upon various considerations including the appropriateness and feasibility of the service project, the likely quality of the learning experience and funding availability.
Only volunteer activities that are organized through an established international service organization (public or private) may be funded. Grant recipients must give evidence that they have been accepted as a volunteer by the relevant organization (a grant may be awarded on a preliminary basis contingent upon later confirmation that the student has been accepted for the relevant service project). The service activities must take place outside of the United States. Students involved in paid internships or jobs abroad are not eligible for funding (though students who receive in-kind, on-site support in the form of housing, food, etc. are still eligible). Students will be expected to provide valid receipts for travel expenses covered by the grant. Seniors are not eligible.
Students are strongly encouraged to carefully review the information provided by the U.S. State Department with respect to general travel precautions and any special precautions pertaining to those countries to which they will be travelling (http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html). Support is not available for work in locations that are under current State Department visitor warnings. Students are also encouraged to purchase an International Student Identity Card, which provides travel discounts, insurance and emergency assistance (http://www.myisic.com/MyISIC/Whatisit.aspx). Students are strongly encouraged to ensure that sponsors of their internships have multiple means of contacting at least two individuals (emergency contacts) in the event a student is involved in an emergency during the course of their service abroad experience.
Upon their return to Drake, grant recipients must make active efforts to pass along what they have learned from their volunteer experience to other members of the Drake community. Examples of such activities might include a campus talk, classroom presentation, video presentation, photo exhibit, article for campus publication, etc. Preliminary ideas for how students plan to accomplish this objective must be included in the initial application.
The web sites listed below may be used to help identify potential volunteer abroad opportunities, though students are free to locate volunteer programs through other means as well. Please note that Drake does not have an affiliate relationship with the individuals and entities listed below and Drake makes no representation as to the reputation, policies, practices or procedures of these individuals and entities. Should you have interest in pursuing one of these opportunities, you are strongly advised to conduct your own independent research into the reputation and quality of the program. Drake assumes no responsibility for doing so on your behalf and therefore you assume any risk associated with participation in the following internships.
Applications should include:
- Information about the applicant (name, major(s), year in school, current GPA, previous volunteer experience, previous study abroad or international travel experience, languages, relevant work experience).
- Information about the volunteer program in which the student will participate (name of organization, location of project, type of service activity)
- Explanation of how this service project is relevant to the student’s program of study or long-term goals and aspirations.
- Preliminary plan for how student intends to share what he or she has learned from his or her summer volunteer experience with others on campus upon his or her return to Drake.
- Estimated amount of funding requested (i.e., airfare or alternative transportation expense; applicants should select least expensive available fares).
Applications will be accepted and considered on a rolling basis. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Students who are considering an application to the Global Service Grant Program are encouraged to consult with Director David Skidmore. Please submit applications to David Skidmore as an e-mail attachment.
Web Resources on International Volunteer Opportunities:
http://www.fpa.org/info-url_nocat2405/info-url_nocat_show.htm?doc_id=77002
http://www.volunteerabroad.com/search.cfm
http://www.internabroad.com/search.cfm
http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
