Summer Action Grant
Summer Action Grants
Summer Action Grants offer funding opportunities to undergraduate students wishing to work or intern in the United States. Students are selected based on their submitted proposal, which must include a budget and a back-up plan. Students will also need to demonstrate how the experience will enhance their professional goals. Students who receive funding are required to share their experiences with the University of Chicago community upon return. Regional and thematic diversity of projects will also be taken into account.
Please, make sure you read the Detailed Application Guide. (see attachment)
The Award
The average grant amount is $2,000- $2,500 but can be up to $3,500. When applying, students must supply a preliminary itemized budget using a standard form. The review committee reserves the right to adjust the budget.
Eligibility
Currently enrolled first- through third-year undergraduate students who are interested in either working or interning in the United States may apply. When applying, students must have proof of employer interest. Summer Action Grants only support positions that are either unpaid or supported by a small stipend. Students must work at least 200 hours during the summer. International students are eligible. A student may only receive the grant once while at the University of Chicago.
*If you are not currently enrolled this quarter but will be continuing as an enrolled student in the coming term/year, please contact Career Advancement staff about applying for this grant.
Deadlines
Monday, April 22nd, 11:55PM
Applications
Applications should be in the form of a cover letter (1 page max) that provides the following:
- A clear and specific project proposal that includes what the student plans to do, and with what organization.
- Documentation regarding an organization’s interest in hiring a student is required. Although it is preferred that applicants have an offer in hand, a final offer is not required. However, the student must have already been in contact with the organization, and the organization must have expressed interest. Documentation regarding an organization’s interest in hiring a student is required.
- A “back up” plan of equal quality that includes what steps he or she will take if funding is not available. The letter should explain why this position will further the student’s academic and/or career goals.
PLEASE NOTE: The selection committee will evaluate application based exclusively on the required material, which must be submitted by the deadline and through Handshake. Any additional information, updates, or documentation submitted via email and/or after the deadline will not be taken into consideration.
The selection committee's decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
Additional Required Materials
- Cover sheet (required form available on Handshake)
- Cover letter (cover letter should follow your cover sheet and both should be uploaded as one single ‘Cover Letter’ document on Handshake)
- A resume (1 page only – additional pages will not be reviewed)
- A preliminary itemized budget (required form available on Handshake)
- Unofficial transcript (official transcript will not be accepted)
- Documentation of Organization Interest (offer letter, or most relevant email exchange. 1 page only)
- Contact information for two references who can speak to the student’s skills and how they relate to this experience. Include: reference’s name and last name, professional title, place of work, email address. (please, add them to your Cover sheet)
Please note: incomplete applications or applications not formatted according to instructions will not be considered. For details on how to submit and format your application see the Detailed Guidelines.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Detailed Application Guide and blank versions of the budget form and the cover sheet are available in the "Attachments" section under the social media links in the sidebar.
Please include your documentation of organizational interest as a separate page within your budget form.
Contact
For questions about your eligibility or the program generally, please contact Clare Nowogrocki at cnowogrocki@uchicago.edu. To have your application review, please make an appointment to have your resume reviewed by a Career Advancement adviser.