Civic Engagement Awards and Fellowships

BCB Civic Engagement Fellowship

The Civic Engagement Fellowship honors students who demonstrate dedication and exceptional contributions to civic engagement and community service. The fellowship supports students who want to continue student-run projects aimed at having a positive social impact; who want to promote civic engagement and active citizenship; who want to connect to Berlin communities and make a difference in civic life. 

Application deadline: February. Watch out for special announcements on social media or contact the Civic Engagement Office ([email protected]).

The certificate includes:

• Grant of 1.000 EUR for two semesters for the fellowship holder (fellowship can be split between two project partners working together)
• Project funds (up to 100 EUR) to support new or existing student-run engagement project
• Regular workshops to assist with project
• Award letter, fellowship will be noted on the official BCB transcript

Applicant Eligibility

• Previous outstanding commitment to civic engagement and active citizenship
• Responsibility, leadership experience, ability to engage in a student-run project
• Involvement in a student-run engagement project
• current enrollment in a 4-year BA degree program at Bard College Berlin

Activities for this fund should address one or several issue(s) related to the broad field of civic engagement, including:

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• Human Rights, Global Justice, and Migration
• Language and Education
• Arts and Society
• Sustainability and Climate
• Democratic Practice
• Intersectional Feminism and Gender

Learn more about Civic Engagement Fellows

Community Action Award (Summer Internship Funding Support)

The Open Society University Network sponsors Community Action Awards that help cover costs associated with underpaid or unpaid summer internships that support pre-professional experiences. Undergrads identify an internship site and apply for funding (Seniors are not eligible, unless they have another semester at an OSUN member institution following the summer internship.).

Eligible internships address issue(s) related to the broad field of civic engagement, including education, government, social justice, human rights, media, public policy, the arts and social entrepreneurship.

Awards are up to $1,000 for 4-8 week long internship over July and August, at least 30 hours or more per week.  Awards will be distributed upon completion of your internship.

Where can I intern?
Students secure internships on their own but can receive support to find an internship from their career development office, their faculty, and/or their institutional alumni network.

Where have students interned in the past?
Previous placement sites have included Human Rights Foundation (Turkey), Capital Good Fund (Rhode Island), Future of Diplomacy Project at the Kennedy School (Massachusetts), Make the Road (New York), ArteEast (New York), African Center for Migration and Society (South Africa), Suffolk County District Attorney (New York), OYE Honduras Youth Empowerment (Honduras), Let’s Get Ready (New York) and the National Park Service (California), Worker Justice Center (Kingston, New York).

Certificate in Civic Engagement students will be prioritized for funding.

Requirements:

• Award recipients are required to sign a contract agreeing to the terms of the award.  
• Award recipients are required to submit two blog posts during the summer.
• Awards are only given to current students in good standing who intend to return for at least one term after completing the internship.

Awards do not support tuition or payment for any academic or internship programs or internship placement agencies or programs.

Application deadline: July. Watch out for special announcements on social media or contact the Civic Engagement Office.
Applicants should be prepared to submit the following:

• Current Resume
• 200 word description of the internship site including website links, contact information
• Internship confirmation
• 400 word description of internship responsibilities and goals for the internship.  
• Reference

Students must submit official documentation from the internship site supervisor confirming the students hire for a 4-8 week summer internships with 30 or more hours a week. Applications without site confirmations will be considered during the review process but funding will not be released until confirmation is submitted in writing from the internship site. Official documentation and supervisor agreement are required before funding can be distributed.

Engaged Community Events

The Engaged Community Events Fund supports Bard College Berlin students and community in organizing campus events that bring our community together and facilitate discussions about important topics of our time. Events can be discussions / talks / lectures / workshops or other activities providing a learning experience about the selected theme. Engaged Community Events should be accessible to the Bard College Berlin Community and to the wider neighborhood of Pankow.

Applications: Applications are rolling and open throughout the year as long as funds are available. Watch out for special announcements on social media or contact the Civic Engagement Office to apply ([email protected]).
 

Engaged Senior Research Project

The Open Society University Network (OSUN) and Bard International Network offers financial support ranging in awards of $500-$1000 USD for senior projects that are enhanced through community-based research, work, or collaborations with community partners. Successful candidates will demonstrate how community engagement inspires and/or helps them answer questions central to their project and how their work or findings can benefit the community.

Engagement may be linked to work done through a student-led project, a community engaged course,  an internship, or community-based volunteer work, provided the activity is central to the senior/capstone project research.  Students are encouraged to demonstrate how the community partner benefits from the collaboration (i.e., research findings, public works in the arts, community organizing, etc.). Ideally the project allows for meaningful participation with the community.  

Certificate in Civic Engagement students will be prioritized for funding.

Eligibility:

• Priority for funding awards: Certificate in Civic Engagement students 
• Students in their third year who are preparing for senior project or who are actively working on their senior project.
• Senior projects that incorporate elements of community work into the research or creative process are encouraged to apply.  
• Applications are open to students from any academic discipline.
• Students must follow the guidelines for senior projects as required by their degree. Please consult with your academic adviser if you have questions.

Application deadline: September. Watch out for special announcements on social media or contact the Civic Engagement Office to apply ([email protected]).


More information

Microgrants for engaged student projects

Microgrants for student projects can be available throughout the year. The topic of the projects or activities is open but should be oriented towards a positive social outcome and engage with local community/ies in Pankow, Berlin, or on campus. Projects should involve participation from other interested students or staff from Bard College Berlin rather than being individual in nature.

Applications: Applications are rolling and open throughout the year as long as funds are available. Watch out for special announcements on social media or contact the Civic Engagement Office to apply ([email protected]).
 

OSUN Global Engagement Fellowship

Global Engagement Fellows promote and coordinate civic engagement projects across the Open Society University Network. Selected fellows have developed and sustained a civic engagement project and demonstrated leadership skills and a desire and aptitude for working with others.

The fellows serve for one year and work closely with the OSUN Global Fellows Coordinator, the Lead Global Fellows, and the Civic Engagement team at BCB.

Application deadline: Spring (February) every year. 

Funding: At the end of their term, fellows receive a certificate of completion and a one time stipend for their work.

More information
 

OSUN Leadership Fellowship

OSUN welcomes students who hold leadership positions on their home campuses, or who are interested in further development of their leadership skills, to apply for the OSUN Leadership Fellows Program. Working with like-minded students from other campuses, OSUN Leadership Fellows will receive ongoing virtual and in-person training designed to help them learn from one another and strengthen their leadership skills. 

Program Requirements:
Fellows will be asked to attend four (4) virtual workshops, training, and networking events in the Fall of 2023 in addition to a one-week, in-person international retreat in January 2024. 
During the Spring 2024 semester, fellows will also be asked to complete a community capstone project related to themes covered throughout the program including, but not limited to, public speaking skills, community-building, team management and mediation, student advocacy, intercultural communication, conflict management, and self-care and resiliency.
Students who  are selected to be a OSUN an Leadership Fellow will receive a $1,000 program stipend.

Eligibility:
Undergraduate students must be in the first, second or third year of a degree program.
Master's students must be in their first year to be eligible.

More information on the application process:

Apply here

DAAD Prize

Sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service, this award is conferred annually to an outstanding international student who not only has an excellent academic record, but also through their civic and campus involvement demonstrates engagement and responsibility towards their community.

Application: Students have to be nominated by a faculty member in order to be invited for an application. Nominations take place in November.