Office of International Programs

Website: http://www.princetonreachout.org/

Deadline: December 17, 2012

Advisers:

• Mr. Jim Freund ’56, jim.freund@mac.com, (917) 856-5846 and
• Mrs. Jean Telljohann '81, jtelljohann@gmail.com, (212) 595-1015

Fields of Study: Public interest projects

ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowships (formerly known as ReachOut ’56 Fellowships and Reachout 56-81 Fellowships), which were awarded for the first time to the Class of 2002, have enabled Princeton seniors to devote their first post-graduation year to undertaking a special project, or otherwise performing a useful function, for a public interest organization of the applicant’s choice, in the United States.

Over the years, more than 100 members of the Class of 1956 have donated to the program, which has provided fellowships (presently in the amount of $30,000 each) to Princeton students annually. It is part of a larger, class effort to help further the missions of nonprofit organizations.

The number of annual fellowships offered (at least one and not more than three) is determined by ReachOut 56-81-06 and communicated to Princeton in the early fall of the applicants’ senior year.

In February 2008, a partnership was created between members of the Classes of 1956 and 1981 to perpetuate and expand existing community service programs and develop new initiatives in the years ahead. In 2011, the Class of 2006 became the third partner in this effort.

Candidates for ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowships, who need not be U.S. citizens, have to perform their own research to find a suitable public interest organization that agrees in advance to make a position available, and then should work with the organization in devising a significant project or function. The organization must be located in the United States, but there is no restriction on the scope or purpose of the activity chosen. Unlike the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program (PIP), where the host organizations provide stipends for the individuals, members of the Classes of 1956,1981, and 2006 will be supplying the funds for ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowships. This enables the selection of organizations that do not otherwise have the financial wherewithal to sponsor a Princeton graduate for a special project, and the merits of the project and the sponsoring organization will be considered in the granting of fellowships.

A description of the varied projects (.pdf) that prior ReachOut 56-81-06 fellows have undertaken is available.

The principal (although not exclusive) criteria for selection are:

• the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to volunteerism and public interest;
• the mission and effectiveness of the sponsoring organization;
• the significance of the proposed project or function; and
• academic performance and other personal qualifications;

The 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship is funded through the generosity of a member of the Class of 1956, whose Canadian-based family foundation has committed to supporting a $30,000 annual award for a minimum of three years. Like the ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowship, it is open to Princeton seniors who commit to spend their first post-graduation year performing a public interest project. It differs, however, from the traditional Fellowship in the following respects:

• The 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship can be performed anywhere in the world (including the U.S.).
• The 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship does not require affiliation with a sponsoring organization (although such a relationship may be considered).
• The 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship gives special consideration to innovative and entrepreneurial projects (see below under “Criteria for Selection”).
• With the 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship, there is a potential for extension of the project beyond one year, if the project’s significance and viability is found to justify longer-range support.

In addition to the criteria listed under the ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowship (except that a sponsoring organization is not required) the 1956 ReachOut International Fellowship gives special weight to projects of social significance that are innovative, creative and/or entrepreneurial. Also to be considered, where applicable, is the potential sustainability of the project beyond the life of the Fellowship, whether by extension of the Fellowship or otherwise.

Candidates may apply for either of the two Fellowships, or, if the proposed project meets the requirements of each, a single application can be made for both of them.

Anyone interested in applying for either of the Fellowships is encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest form (.doc), as soon as possible, so that we can help ensure your application is a strong one. After the form is completed, e-mail it to Mrs. Jean Telljohann '81, at jtelljohann@gmail.com.

There is no application form for the ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowships.

Applicants must submit copies of the following materials to The ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowship Selection Committee c/o Fellowships Advising, Office of International Programs, 36 University Place, Suite 340, no later than the deadline.

• Resume.
• Academic transcript(s) (one certified original plus eight copies)
• Description of the proposed project and its potential significance and a commitment by the applicant to carry out the project should the applicant receive and accept a Fellowship.
• In the case of a traditional Fellowship (or an international Fellowship project that includes a sponsoring organization), a description of the sponsoring organization, an endorsement of the project and its potential significance to the organization, and a commitment by the organization to oversee the carrying out of the project should the applicant receive and accept a Fellowship.
• Itemized project budget.

In addition, the applicant should obtain:

• At least two letters of recommendation.

One letter of recommendation should be from a member of the Princeton faculty who knows the applicant well enough to assess his or her ability to complete the proposed project successfully. In cases where the applicant’s thesis topic is relevant to the project, a letter from the thesis adviser should be included. If the candidate has been actively engaged in community involvement as an undergraduate, a letter from someone who has supervised or observed the applicant’s work would be welcome.

Letters of recommendation should be returned to the applicant in an envelope signed across the seal to be submitted with the application package or may be submitted directly to The ReachOut 56-81-06 Fellowship Selection Committee c/o Fellowships Advising, Office of International Programs, 36 University Place, Suite 340.

Applications will be reviewed by the Board of Directors of ReachOut 56-81-06.Candidates will then be interviewed by a committee on January 7, 2013, date (**NOTE: THIS IS A NEW DATE**). Those awarded fellowships will be notified in January or February.

ReachOut56-81-06 will provide each fellow during his or her term with one or more supportive mentors from the Classes of 1956, 1981, or 2006. Progress reports are expected, and upon completion of the project, fellows will be asked to submit a written report to ReachOut56-81-06, as well as to meet with the ReachOut56-81-06 Board of Directors to discuss the experience. There will be an Advisory Council, consisting of past fellows, to help with the selection of future candidates and projects and to otherwise improve the program.

In a case where the sponsoring organization for a fellow chosen the previous year makes a special request to extend the project beyond the original term, such a request will be considered along with the other new applications for the year in question.

ReachOut56-81-06 is hopeful that the fellowship experience will help motivate those chosen to pursue a lifetime of public interest activities.