Department of Student Engagement

Any undergraduate Brandeis student, including international student, who is in good academic standing is eligible to apply.

The fellowship requires a 3.0 G.P.A. You can print out an unofficial transcript from your Workday account or provide an official, updated resume to verify your GPA to the selection committee. Please do not contact the Registrar.

You can apply if you are abroad in the fall, but you must be on campus during the spring semester for the implementation of your project.

Yes, absolutely. 

Projects can receive a range of $500 to $4,000 per academic year.

A priority application will:

1. Make a significant, or measurable, impact upon society

2. Raise awareness among the Brandeis community

3. Foster leadership, engagement, and creativity among Brandeis students

4. Provide a clear plan for continuation that indicates how the work will be sustained locally, or, if a time limited project with defined start and end dates, demonstrate how the project resolves a significant local issue during the project period.

5. Provide a strong leadership structure

6. Present a well-designed, effective budget

It is possible for more than one applicant to submit competing applications for the same community project; however, only one applicant project will be selected if the outcomes and community impact are the same.

Yes, with DSE staff permission, rare exceptions can be made and applicants can apply in teams of two. Students must appeal to the Department of Student Engagement to see if they are granted or denied that exception before applying. If a team of Fellows is selected, they both will each be held to the same standards and expectations as other Fellows.

Yes, the intent is that you'll attend one info session. If there are conflicts with your schedule, you must schedule a one-to-one meeting with a member of the Department of Student Engagement.

Any Brandeis faculty or staff member can serve as a mentor to a R/C CLIF fellow. While campus mentors are highly encouraged to make an applicant competitive, they are not mandatory.

Yes, you can apply for a new project for the following year, but not for more than two years.

Yes, a student may reapply with a new project or a revision of the original proposal.

No, your project must be completed before the close of the academic year unless you are granted a special exception by the Department of Student Engagement.

If funds are already in hand, or committed (with documentation), and are included in the budget, then they can be used to implement the project. If you are also seeking additional funds necessary to complete your project and those funds are not secured at the time of your application, you will not be selected.

At this time, we are focused on the local community. As we explore expanding the program and the sustainability of global projects. Eligible projects must serve the Waltham- Greater Boston community, with priority given to projects that serve the city of Waltham.

There is no formal expectations that you participate beyond your fellowship year; however, we hope that you will serve as an advocate for the program and consider joining the future selection committee. There will also be future annual events to connect current fellows with alums of the program.

Your project must have one lead community partner, but you can absolutely engage with a variety of community partners. In fact, communities coming together often demonstrate a sustainable and impactful project that addresses an intentional need.

Fellow advisor will have access to a university credit card that can be used for qualifying purchases in the Department of Student Engagement with staff support and supervision. If students wish to make purchases on their own, they can be reimbursed if reimbursement polices are followed.

Yes, part of this fellowship leadership program is that you share your impact project with the greater Brandeis community in an end of year presentation.

There are a variety of invested members of the committee. Folks are members of the faculty, staff, as well as students and community partners. A representative from the Rich and Rich/Collins families also sits on the committee.

Yes, not only should you put it on your resume, but we'll provide a variety of resources and opportunities to ensure that you have reflected and can present your project in a professional and relevant way.

Clubs are discouraged from applying unless drastically enhancing or offering a one-time sustainable community impact project. If you have a question about this, please attend an info session and/or connect with a member of the Department of Student Engagement.

Please email rcclif@brandeis.edu.

All fellows will be expected to:

• Research unmet community needs  

• Develop a realistic, sustainable program or event to address a significant need 

• Establish a working group, engage others as needed, to run the program during the project period 

• Define an evaluation process and measure the impact of the initiative 

• Create a sustainability plan for the project's leadership and programming 

• Actively participate in leadership training 

• Educate our local community and the Brandeis community about their cause

Fellows will meet on a regular basis and work on:

• Event planning

• Grant writing and reporting

• Community partner relationships

• Student outreach and recruitment

• Assessment and evaluation

• Preparation of a Poster/Multi-media presentation

• Creation and management of a project budget

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

All remaining unspent funds will be returned to the program and put towards future fellows.

No, there is no previous example necessary, but you must ensure you are aware of the community needs to ensure your project is supported by your community partner.