The Changemaker Catalyst Award is open to all undergraduate and graduate Tulane University students interested in pursuing careers related to Social Innovation, Social Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, and Changemaking.
Students are eligible for up to $2,000 total over the course of their studies to support changemaker learning.
What Projects Do We Support?
To be an effective changemaker, one must have a deep knowledge of the social problem they wish to solve.
This award is an opportunity to learn from and work collaboratively with effective changemakers and allies to better understand social and environmental problems through apprenticing with a problem or pursuing academic research.
“Apprenticing with a problem” experiences can involve:
- an internship or volunteer opportunity
- an in-depth field immersion experience
- conference, workshop, or program attendance
Academic research involves:
- Field or other direct costs for an original academic research project (i.e. honors thesis, MA/MS thesis, doctoral dissertation) on a social innovation/changemaking topic. Academic supervisor reference letter required.
Student learning on changemaking is a critical part of the award process and outcomes.
- All awardees must demonstrate a critical analysis of the experience and its role in their academic studies, personal growth, and professional aspirations.
- All students who receive a Changemaker Catalyst Award must complete an award follow up form and a series of blog posts to demonstrate the impact of their award.
- Please consider the core concepts highlighted by Taylor while developing your application.
Applications are accepted on various deadlines throughout the year. Please see the application for deadlines.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Changemaker Catalyst Award, you must meet these requirements:
- Be an undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in classes part-time or full-time at the time of application
- Be in good standing with Tulane University
- Have completed all of the application requirements
Citizenship status does not affect eligibility for Taylor funding. Questions regarding applying to Taylor funding as an undocumented student can be directed to Taylor@tulane.edu. For more information for resources for undocumented students and students with Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA), visit http://tulane.edu/undocumented.
General Requirements
- International experiences must be at least 20 days, including travel time, to be eligible for Changemaker Catalyst Award. This constraint ensures that the award recipient has time to develop meaningful connections, apprentice with the problem, and leverage opportunities within the country.
- Applicant must show financial commitment beyond receipt of Changemaker Catalyst Award (ie. other sources of funding for trip).
- For trips shorter than 20 days, students must provide
- a faculty letter of support, explaining why we should make an exception.
- a plan on pre- and post trip work. Examples include creating a curriculum, conducting relevant research, developing workshop materials, translating materials, etc.
- an itinerary, detailing activity, and plans for time in country.
- Credit-bearing experiences are ineligible for the award.
- All award recipients must attend the Taylor Student Showcase.
Proposal Requirements
The full application requires the components described below.
Links include examples, resources, or templates to use while developing your proposal:
- A one-page resume
- An essay (max 800 words) answering the following:
- In two to three sentences, explain what you propose to do, where and why?
- If you are proposing academic research, what is your research question? What are your proposed methods, study site, etc? How is this research project related to changemaking?
- How this experience would enhance your ability to be a changemaker? How will this experience help you better understand social problems that matter to you? How might the award contribute to your understanding of how to engage as a changemaker?
- How will this experience be informed by your academic training and understanding? What theories or concepts have you studied (inside or outside the classroom) that you hope to explore further through this learning experience? Don’t just throw in academic terms – explain these concepts and how they relate to the experience you are pursuing. Include proper citations.
- Describe how this experience contributes to your professional aspirations. How does this experience tie into the themes of social innovation, social entrepreneurship, design thinking, or changemaking? What previous work or extra-curricular experiences will ensure you have a successful experience?
- How will you contribute to the Taylor community and/or other changemaking efforts in New Orleans after this experience?
- An itemized budget & funding request using the Taylor Award Budget Worksheet. Please note that the hourly rate for unpaid internships is $10/hr.
- Acknowledgement of the Student Contract
- Completed financial document
- To receive the award, domestic applicants must have a W-9 form completed as an individual or legal entity.
- In order to process the payment for international/undocumented/DACAmented students, the required forms to be provided by you are as follows:
- A completed W-8BEN;
- Your GLACIER Tax Summary Report which can be requested from the International Tax Office at ito@tulane.edu.
Application Deadline & Selection Process
Application Deadline Note
All applications are due at 11:59 PM CT on the date of deadlines in order to guarantee review and selection.
- Students that submit the application on time will be notified of funding decisions within two – three weeks of the submission deadline.
- Taylor Center staff, faculty, and affiliates will review all application materials and make awards based on exhibited financial need and the merits of the opportunity.
- We reserve the right to accept or deny candidates based on any of the above criteria.
Post-Experience
Congratulations on your award!
Your next steps are to:
- Post 1-2 blogs about your experience on Taylor Hub and share photos with Taylor@tulane.edu. Follow these instructions to write and post your blog.
- Attend the Taylor Student Showcase in the spring semester.
Questions?
- Interested in applying or learning more about Taylor Center Funding opportunities?
- Email Taylor@tulane.edu
