Department of Student Engagement

Please take into consideration all of the pre-application requirements and suggested events.

We strongly encourage applicants to:

• Attend an information session about the Fellowship.
• Attend an application support and budget workshop to work on and learn how to enhance your application.
• Consult with the Department of Student Engagement staff member to review community needs and current outreach initiatives and partnerships, with guidance on approaches to community partner. 

• Meet with community partner to assess points of impact and need as well as to discuss program design.

To apply please submit your completed application by Sunday, October 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST. 

The following documents must be completed and turned in by October 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST for an applicant to be fully considered by the selection committee.

1. A completed Rich/Collins CLIF Application.

2. Budget proposal (pdf) outlining your proposed expense and allocation of project funds. Please refer to this proposal template (pdf) as a guide and sample budget.

3. You must submit a Scope of Project (pdf) from your community partner. This letter should illustrate an investment in the project and commitment to support your sustainable endeavor.

All forms can be emailed to rcclif@brandeis.edu. Students may also bring a hard copy form to Taisha White in the Department of Student Engagement, located in suite 201 on the second floor of the Shapiro Campus Center.

All proposed R/C CLIF projects must be within the Waltham/Greater Boston Area, with priority given to projects in Waltham. It is our expectation that all projects are mutually beneficial to our community partners and community members as well as the Brandeis R/C fellows. We anticipate the majority of funded projects will result from students currently being engaged in our community, but we are also actively seeking suggestions for semester long projects that can be shared with applicants who meet with us to explore and discuss current unmet community needs. We appreciate our community partners and are pleased to be able to offer these new resources to support the mission and goals of your organizations.

We only recruit for this program during the fall semester and all projects will be implemented in each spring semester. If you have an idea for a project, we encourage you to email rcclif@brandeis.edu.

If you have an idea for a project, we encourage you to complete the project suggestion form, and we’ll share your ideas as we meet with students. Unfortunately, we cannot commit to guarantee any funding for proposed projects.

The following forms are all optional forms and tools that will aid you in completing your project application. You are not required to do these or turn them in.

1. Utilize this Brainstorm Project Action Form (pdf) to outline your timeline and steps to bring your project to life.

2. View a comprehensive checklist (pdf) of application and project tasks that most fellows complete.

This fellowship is designed to mutually benefit the student grantee/fellow and the community. You will gain important career skills and deepen you understanding of the skills and knowledge leaders in the nonprofit sector need, while the community will enjoy the benefits of better prepared emerging leaders who may then be more successful and perhaps become more committed to community service. In addition to 1-on-1 staff support, we will offer all students in R/C CLIF a bi-weekly training program led by Brandeis faculty, staff, and community partners on a variety of topics. Some examples include:

1. Understanding social constructs

2. Event planning and management

3. Community partnerships and outreach

4. Community Asset Mapping

5. Volunteer evaluation and assessment

6. Preparation (and event) for a poster/multi-media presentation

7. Creation and management of a project budget

8. Career development, including how to market and brand your Rich/Collins CLIF experience on your resume and in interviews

9. How to successfully write a community impact grant proposal and final report

All students engaged in R/C CLIF with have the opportunity to be part of a cohort and support network of fellows who are engaging in similar work to seek input, brainstorm ideas, and learn best practices together.  This network will expand as the program ages to include alumni and past community partner sites. We are committed to giving fellows the resources they need to be impact a measurable impactful and sustainable project.