Robert E. Bryan Fellowships
The Robert E. Bryan Fellowship in the APPLES Service-Learning program is designed for undergraduate student teams interested in creating social impact locally and/or globally through the creation of an innovative project that addresses a community-identified need. The fellowship goals are to:
- Provide practical support and mentorship to students in developing their projects,
- Contribute to addressing community-identified needs by supporting innovative projects, and
- Develop a supportive cohort of students working together to create positive social impact.
Fellowship recipients enroll in a service-learning course on project management during the spring semester of the fellowship year and receive up to $1,500 to help launch their project. They also gain access to professional development funds, support from APPLES students and staff and invaluable leadership training and personal development.
Up to six team fellowships are awarded each fall for the following calendar year (January – December) with applications due in October. After completing the fellowship year, teams can reapply for a second year of funding of up to $1,000.
The fellowship is named in honor of alumnus Robert Emmet Bryan (1904-1975), a native of Newton Grove, North Carolina, who was a strong supporter of public service.
Eligibility
Any returning, full-time undergraduate student teams at UNC-Chapel Hill are eligible to apply. A team can be made up of as many students as necessary, but only the four most active students should be included in the application. Individuals may also apply, but team applications often offer stronger proposals. The Bryan Fellowship is focused on projects in the early stages of development, so preference will be given to projects that have not been funded or received other significant support prior to this fellowship.
Academic and Community Connections
Members of the fellowship teams will be enrolled in PLCY130, a one-credit service-learning course offered through the Department of Public Policy. The course focuses on the knowledge, resources and strategies for successfully launching and sustaining community-based projects. Fellows will learn about techniques in applied research, team recruitment, project management, strategy and planning. They will also gain connections to leading social entrepreneurs and community leaders in the area through class visits and personal introductions.
Apply
Applications for 2024 Bryan Fellowship are closed. Applications for the 2025 Bryan Fellowship will likely open August 2024 and close in October 2024. Apply online through the CCPS Application and Nomination Portal.
For questions, contact APPLES student co-chairs for fellowships Marissa Bewry and Naomi Major or staff advisor Ryan Nilsen.
Fellows
For information about current and previous fellows and their projects, see Current Bryan Fellows and Previous Bryan Fellows.
Read more about OCEANS, a 2019 Bryan Fellowship project, here, and 2022 Bryan Fellowship project Compostmates here.