Jeff Metcalf Fellowship Grant for Graduating Students Applying for Visas Post-Graduation

Jeff Metcalf Fellowship Grant for Graduating Students Applying for Visas Post-Graduation

Career Advancement will offer a limited number of grants for undergraduates who will be graduating during the 2023-2024 academic year and plan to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) or work authorizations outside the U.S. following their graduation.

The Grant for Graduating Students Applying for Visas Post-Graduation is intended to offset the cost of living. The University of Chicago is providing you with a fellowship for securing an unpaid opportunity once your post-graduation OPT or visa abroad has started, enabling you to confidently accept the unpaid opportunity that can give you more experience to build a bridge to your career. 

Opportunities can be:

• Remote, hybrid, or in-person
• Based in the U.S. or abroad (only abroad if securing a visa for a country other than the passport you hold)
• Full-time (20 hours or more per OPT requirements)

You will be an ambassador of the University at all times and in all interactions. Receiving internship funding through the Metcalf Program means upholding this commitment. Grant recipients are instrumental to fostering a strong UChicago community on campus and beyond.

For a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements, reference the Eligibility section below. 

Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. The decisions regarding acceptance and funding made by the reviewing committee are definitive and cannot be appealed. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the materials submitted through Handshake and the additional grant application form. No new materials or updates will be accepted and/or taken into consideration.

Application Requirements & Components

• Complete this form to submit your application
• Updated Resume
• Completed appointment with Grace Beckman from Career Advancement to review resume and cover letter (applicants can upload the confirmation email they receive once their appointment is completed). We strongly encourage you to fulfill this requirement first
• Proof of application to 10 full-time positions within your area of interest (screenshot of confirmation messages, confirmation emails, etc.)
• One-page document outlining your job search strategy. Please include the following:
  • Your professional interests and goals
  • Which steps you are taking or plan to take to ensure you succeed in your job search (interview practice, networking, attendance to career fairs, workshops, employer info sessions, etc.)
• 10 additional positions you plan to apply for within the next month

Eligibility

• You must be graduating during the 2023-2024 academic quarter in which you are applying
• You must be eligible to apply for a post-graduation visa or OPT following your graduation

The proposed professional experience must meet the following criteria:

• Begins after you have received your physical EAD Card (for OPT opportunities) or work authorization (if non-US). Funding cannot be applied retroactively.
• Adheres to the specific visa requirements.
• Provides a direct supervisor who serves as a mentor throughout the internship. In the case of supervised research, the supervisor does not need to be a UChicago professor but must be affiliated with a research institution. Independent research projects or freelance experiences are not eligible.
• Offers a substantive professional experience.
• Is unpaid or offers very little compensation.
• Does not receive any additional University-provided grant or program funding (such as the Metcalf Internship Program).
• Is NOT requiring a fee or deposit for participation. The grant only funds internships that students arrange directly with employers.
• Is NOT with 1) an organization on the State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations or otherwise sanctioned or monitored by the U.S. Government; 2) an organization formed for the purpose of supporting a candidate for political office. Because the University is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization under the tax code, it is prohibited from participating in political campaign activities. All other organizations are eligible for funding under this grant, including government agencies and for-profit organizations. 

For opportunities through OPT:

• For US-based companies, students may be allowed to take opportunities which are remote, hybrid, or in-person. For companies based abroad, students may only participate in opportunities which are remote from the US.

For opportunities through work authorization outside the U.S.:

• Students’ opportunities must meet the work authorization criteria of the respective country in which they are applying for a work visa.

Timeline

To give maximum flexibility, applications will be accepted throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Each quarter will have 2-3 application cycles. Students can request funding during any of these cycles. Maximum of one application per cycle.

Preview the cycle deadlines:

Winter Cycles | Timeline

 Cycle 2:

Open: Feb. 2

Deadline: Feb. 18

Decision Released: Feb. 28

Spring Cycles | Timeline

Cycle 1:

Open: Mar. 8

Deadline: Mar. 17

Decision Released: Mar. 27

Cycle 2:

Open: Mar. 29

Deadline: Apr. 7

Decision Released: Apr. 17

Cycle 3:

Open: Apr. 26

Deadline: May 5

Decision Released: May 15  

Funding

Grant recipients will receive a total amount of $5,000. The amount will be disbursed once recipients’ OPT or work authorization (if non-US) start date has passed. The amount will be disbursed in two separate installments of $2,500. The second installment will be released after the student has updated their record in the SEVP Student Portal. When updating your status in the SEVP portal, please list the organization you are working for, as UChicago cannot be considered your employer.

Note: If you have already acquired funding for this role and/or have applied for funding through other sources, please disclose this in your application as we make every effort to provide equitable access for students. This includes any research scholarships, fellowships, and/or grants offered through Career Advancement, the College Center for Research and Fellowships (CCRF), the Institute of Politics (IOP), etc.