Criteria, Requirements and Further Information
Criteria
Grants will be awarded based on:
- Positive impact on the community. How will your project build on the assets of and meet the needs of the community with whom you are working?
- Positive impact on the student. How will you take what you learn and apply it to future studies, career and life choices? Are you prepared to be effective in this community setting?
- Appropriateness of financial request. Preference is given to projects where funds support community projects or your own reasonable expenses, rather than a third-party provider fee.
- Degree of student's financial need. Preference is given when students are contributing to expenses themselves or face difficult financial circumstances.
Requirements
- All recipients must submit regular reflection and impact reports during their experience. Details are included in the award message.
- CEGs are subject to tax and must be reported as taxable income to the IRS.
- CEGs will not fund service that takes place during scheduled finals.
- CEGs will not fund credit-bearing projects.
- CEGs will not fund projects which include religious education or proselytizing although the project can be done in partnership with a faith-based organization.
- All recipients must be full-time undergraduate or graduate students who will return to William and Mary for at least one semester after receiving a CEG.
For International Projects
- All recipients whose projects occur outside of the United States must adhere to the William & Mary International Travel Policy. In particular, please note that some international destinations require further approval from the Travel Warning committee before grant funding may be provided. Conditions in countries on this warning list may change or escalate rapidly, and based on these changing conditions, the safety of this trip may need to be reconsidered even after gaining approval.
- All recipients traveling to international destinations must purchase international travel and health insurance through the university (CISI insurance) that includes medical coverage and evacuation, as well as evacuation for natural disasters or political instability; and submit their travel plan details, so we can ensure that you have considered your plans carefully and we can be in touch with you in case of emergency. This money ($34 per month of coverage) will be deducted from your award total.
Further Information
You may design your own project by working with a nonprofit or government agency or you may receive funding for a community-engaged internship or service experience. Previous grants have been awarded for a great range of projects. Some examples include:
- Developing a marketing and publicity plan for a nonprofit
- Sustained volunteering with a non-profit organization
- Developing a program to mentor middle-school girls doing service
- Building infrastructure in an international community in partnership with a local organization
- Internships with an a government office
CEG funding is limited and often competitive. Some requests are more likely to be funded than others. Consider the following components when planning your community engagement project:
- Longer-term projects are more likely to be funded than short projects, as they allow for greater impact on the community and the student alike.
- Living expenses should not be extravagant.
- Local and US-based projects are more likely to be funded since the costs are often lower.
- If you are considering an international project, explain why you need to travel to another country to do this work.
- Grants are awarded to projects that are focused on direct service rather than research.
