SUSIs Undergraduate Awards

Grant Information

There is one Institute on Civic Engagement on offer for 2020. The successful candidate from Ireland will travel to the USA in June 2020 to examine Civic Engagement at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. This grant includes airfare, tuition and fees, lodging and meals at the host university, and a daily incidentals allowance. Visa sponsorship and accident and sickness coverage are included. A range of associated academic and cultural programming will also be covered. Read our FAQs.

The 2020 SUSIs for European Student Leaders on Civic Engagement will:

• consist of a balanced series of seminar discussions, readings, group presentations, and lectures on Civic Engagement
• provide participants with an overview of how citizens have shaped U.S. history, government, and society both as individuals and groups
• define civic engagement, examine its development in the U.S., and explore topics such as citizenship, community building, economic development, grassroots activism, political leadership, and volunteerism
• discuss other topics such as civil rights, entrepreneurship, ethics, leadership, and media
• provide students with an opportunity to meet with community leaders, entrepreneurs, and representatives of non-profit organizations
• be complemented by educational tours to Charleston, South Carolina; Williamsburg, Virginia; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania will allow participants to explore civic engagement through the unique perspective of different communities
• conclude with a visit to Washington DC

How to Apply?

Participants are expected to be highly motivated 1st to 3rd year undergraduate students (where 3rd year is not final year) from colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education. Fields of study may include the sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, business, and other professional fields.

Candidates for this program must:

• be Irish citizens, or resident in Ireland for the last 3+ years (dual Irish-U.S. citizens are not eligible, please see FAQs)
• be proficient in English
• be interested in the Institute topic: Civic Engagement
• be 18-25 years of age
• have at least 1 semester left of their undergraduate studies, and therefore be committed to return to their home universities following completion of the program
• demonstrate strong leadership qualities & potential in their university / community activities
• indicate a serious interest in learning about the United States
• have a sustained high level of academic achievement
• demonstrate commitment to community and extracurricular university activities
• have little or no prior study or travel experience in the U.S. or elsewhere outside of their home country
• be mature, responsible, independent, confident, open-minded, tolerant, thoughtful, and inquisitive
• be willing and able to fully participate in an intensive academic program, community service, and educational travel
• be comfortable with campus life, prepared to share living accommodations, and able to make adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home country

It is important to note that you must register online before starting your application.

To apply, please REGISTER YOU INTEREST HERE.

You will receive a response immediately. If you do not, please check your spam folder.

Deadline

Deadline for receipt of soft and hard copy applications, transcripts and references is 6 January 2020 at 16:00. *Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interview in Dublin on 27 January 2020.

Transcripts
A transcript is a full list of courses and final grades that comes as an official document from a school. For Summer Institute applications, undergraduate transcripts (college courses and grades for each year) will be required if applicants are currently in college; this information can be obtained from the College Registrar. If applicants are in sixth year and going into college, then the final four years of secondary school (courses, grades, and exam results) will be required; this information can be obtained from the school guidance counsellor. Please note that official transcripts (stamped and sealed) are not required unless you are successful. Therefore, photocopies or downloads are sufficient for the application.

Any queries on the Summer Institute Awards can be addressed to paula.melvin@fulbright.ie.