Overview

The Community Engagement Fellowship program awards each year a maximum of five fellowships of up to $2,000 each year to develop and implement engagement or engaged scholarship projects that (1) employ innovative, sustainable approaches to complex social needs and (2) have an academic connection. Returning, full-time graduate students (individuals or teams) at UNC-Chapel Hill are eligible to apply with preference given to interdisciplinary teams of students. Fellows work in collaboration with community partners and faculty mentors who are familiar with their topics or geographic areas, while fellows are responsible for the major planning and implementation of their projects. The fellowships run from March-October with project implementation occurring during the summer.

About Engagement and Engaged Scholarship

Engagement and engaged scholarship are core components of UNC-Chapel Hill’s current Academic Plan, in part designed to reach beyond public service and to link research, teaching and creativity with needs of the state. So as to assure common understanding of the concepts, the Carolina Center for Public Service adopted the following definitions for use at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Engagement is public service that occurs in reciprocal and mutually beneficial partnerships between the university and the community.

Engaged scholarship, while fully grounded as disciplined inquiry according to the highest academic standards, strengthens university-community relationships and contributes to the common good.

Fellowship Requirements

In addition to project completion, fellows are expected to meet the following requirements: attend four seminars (March, April, September, October) hosted by the Center on relevant topics, complete the IRB review process if necessary (guide to IRB process), and submit a final comprehensive report.

Each project must include a community partner and a UNC faculty mentor who utilize their expertise to advise the fellow in developing and implementing a successful project. The community partner should be consulted during the beginning stages of project planning. Their role may include identifying and providing data about community needs, population, history and best practices, recommending resources, and planning for project sustainability. The role of the faculty mentor may include discussing research to inform project planning and connecting fellows with appropriate resources.

Submission Guidelines

Online applications require the submission of the following: project proposal, sustainability plan, budget, applicant resume(s) as well as name and contact information for a faculty mentor and community partner who will receive instructions for completing their contribution to the online application.

2012-2013 Timeline

Applications for Community Engagement Fellowships are now closed.