ReachOut 56/81 Fellowship
Deadline: December 12, 2008
Fields of study: Public interest projects
Adviser: Mr. Jim Freund ’56 • jim.freund@mac.com • (212) 580-4956
Description:
ReachOut 56/81 Fellowships (formerly known as ReachOut ’56 Fellowships), which were awarded for the first time to the Class of 2002, enable 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 will provide fellowships in the amount of $30,000 to Princeton students each year. It is part of a larger effort organized by the class to help nonprofit organizations. The number of fellowships offered will be at least one and not more than three, to be determined by ReachOut 56/81 (and communicated to Princeton) in the early fall of the applicants’ senior year. Two fellowships were awarded to seniors from each of the Classes of ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’07, and ’08.
In February 2008, a partnership was created between members of the classes of 1956 and 1981 to perpetuate and expand existing community service programs of both classes and develop new initiatives in the years ahead. The name of the organization was changed to Princeton ReachOut 56/81; the name of the program was changed to ReachOut 56/81 Fellowships; and members of ’81 will be fully participating with ’56 in the selection of fellows.
Candidates for ReachOut 56/81 Fellowships, who need not be a U.S. citizen, 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. Organizations with a connection to education or to other subject matter that is relevant to the Princeton experience are especially suitable. Unlike the Princeton Project 55 Public Interest Program (PIP), where the host organizations provide stipends for the individuals, members of the Classes of 1956 and 1981 will be supplying the funds for ReachOut 56/81 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 such needy organizations will be viewed favorably in the granting of fellowships.
A description of the varied projects that prior ReachOut 56/81 fellows have undertaken is available (.pdf) www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/pfg/08/reachout/ReachOut.pdf.
Criteria for Selection:
The principal (although not exclusive) criteria for selection are:
academic performance and other personal qualifications;
the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to public interest;
the mission and effectiveness of the sponsoring organization; and
the significance of the proposed project or function.
Application Procedure:
Anyone interested in applying for a Princeton ReachOut 56/81 Fellowship is encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest form, as soon as possible, so that we can help ensure your application is a strong one. The form is available on the Fellowship Guide website as a PDF. After the form is completed, e-mail it to Mr. Jim Freund at jim.freund@mac.com.
There is no application form for the ReachOut 56/81 Fellowships. Applicants must submit two copies of the following materials to 409 West College no later than December 12, 2008.
Applicant’s resume.
A statement, prepared by the applicant and endorsed by the sponsoring organization, which contains a description of the project the applicant proposes to undertake and its potential significance; and a commitment by both the applicant and the organization to carry out the project should the applicant receive and accept a fellowship.
A description of the sponsoring organization.
An original certified transcript of the applicant’s academic record.
At least two letters of recommendation. One 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.
Applications will be reviewed by a committee of the Board of Directors of ReachOut 56/81. A selected group of candidates will then be interviewed by members of the committee during January 2009. Those awarded fellowships will be notified in January or February.
Additional Information:
ReachOut 56/81 will provide each fellow during his or her term with one or more supportive mentors from the Classes of 1956 and 1981. Progress reports are expected, and upon completion of the project, fellows will be asked to submit a written report to ReachOut 56/81, as well as to meet with the ReachOut 56/81 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 for a second year, such a request will be considered along with the other new applications for the year in question.
Although the participation of a sponsoring organization will normally be required, there may be special instances where a non-sponsored project — perhaps related to a thesis topic — which the applicant desires to perform on his or her own, would be considered.
ReachOut 56/81 is hopeful that the fellowship experience will help motivate those chosen to pursue a lifetime of public interest activities.