Deadline: Noon, February 10, 2010
The Donald A. Strauss Scholarship provides a $10,000 scholarship to juniors who will pursue a self-initiated public service project during their senior year. The project may be a new undertaking or an extension of an existing project. The Strauss Foundation annually awards at least fourteen scholarships to students from fifteen eligible California institutions. Each participating institution (including UC Berkeley) can nominate three students for the award.
The Strauss Foundation defines public service as work, whether paid or as a volunteer, in government at any level; organizations serving the public interest; national, regional, or local health organizations; and service-oriented, nonprofit organizations such as those whose primary purposes are to help disadvantaged persons or protect the environment.
Fields of study that can lead to public service careers include (but are not limited to) the biological and physical sciences, engineering, agriculture, environmental management, economics, political science and other social sciences, English, history and the other liberal arts and humanities, public health, public administration, government, and education.
The public service project proposal is a major focus of the selection process. The project must be realistic in scope, and the foundation prefers projects that are designed to continue after initial implementation. Selectors look for candidates who are passionate about their project and who have a demonstrated interest in public service, outstanding leadership potential, effective communication skills, and who "wish to make a difference" in local, regional, or national communities.
The UC Berkeley selection committee will select the university's nominees based on the above application materials and criteria.
Scholarship Connection offers workshops and advising on developing a public service project proposal. For more information, contact Scholarship Connection.