Student Leadership Grants

The Weissman Center for Leadership and the Liberal Arts is committed to supporting the leadership initiatives of Mount Holyoke College students. The Center offers grants to students interested in expanding their leadership experiences, knowledge, and effectiveness while pursuing topics and issues that complement and deepen their academic, co-curricular, and professional interests.

Eligibility, Types of Support, and Funding

  • Funding is available to individual Mount Holyoke College students.
  • Funding is available throughout the academic or calendar year.

Students may receive support for a broad-range of activities, including research, independent study, special projects, and attending conferences. Specific funds may go towards a range of items, such as travel-related expenses and conference fees. Funding is not available for tuition or expenses related to course work.

Grant awards typically range between $300-$800. Awards above $1,000 are rare. We ask that students make a reasonable financial contribution towards their budgeted expenses.

Guidelines

  • Successful applications will clearly demonstrate opportunities for the student to support and strengthen her role as an effective leader.
  • Support for leadership development may relate to a student's intellectual pursuits, advocacy interests, or professional career goals. The Center will also consider proposals that relate to its public program themes for the academic year.
  • Projects should include a public forum held on campus within one year of receiving funding.
  • Projects will be selected based on feasibility, compatibility with existing resources, and the relevance to the leadership mission of the College and the Weissman Center.

Pre-Application

Prior to being invited to submit an Application for Funding, students will need to submit an on-line Pre-Application to explain how the initiative supports and strengthens her role as an effective leader. While grants can support academic or professional interests, clear evidence of personal leadership development through the proposed initiative will need to be demonstrated in the pre-application phase, as well as a clear idea of how she will share the leadership experience with the MHC community. Students may be asked to meet with a staff member of the Weissman Center to help clarify how the initiative will help promote her personal leadership goals, skills, or experiences. Students will be notified whether to submit an Application for Funding within one week after her Pre-Application has been submitted.

Application for Funding - by invitation only

  • Students will be invited to submit an Application for Funding only after a satisfactory review of her Pre-Application.
  • Applications for funding should be submitted at least one month prior to the proposed event.
  • Students interested in being considered for a Weissman Center Student Leadership Grant must complete the application web form below and submit the following documents where indicated: resume, transcript, a 2-3 page proposal, and a budget.
  • Students should arrange for two letters of recommendation in support of their applications. These letters of support should be submitted on-line. At least one letter of recommendation should be from a professor.
  • Applications will not be reviewed until the on-line web form and all requested materials are submitted.

Application Materials

Once a student has been approved to submit a funding application, the following materials are required to be submitted as part of the on-line Application for Funding.

Proposal

Proposals should include the following information:

  • A detailed description of the activity/event/project/conference for which support is requested.
  • A reflection on what motivated you to pursue this leadership experience, and what hopes you have for advancing your own leadership knowledge or skills.
  • A discussion of the ways in which your project relates to your academic, advocacy, or professional interests. If the project relates to a Weissman Center public program theme, please describe the intersections and connections.
  • Note the ways in which the project may benefit the Mount Holyoke College community. Please describe in detail your plans for a public forum that can be held on campus including projected dates(s), sponsoring and co-sponsoring organizations, faculty mentor, venue, targeted audience, and anticipated expenses for publicity.
  • Discuss your conceptions of leadership, and at least one situation in which you viewed yourself as a leader. What did you learn from the experience? What was the most rewarding aspect of this role? What did you find most challenging and how did you address this?

Budget and Financial Request

  • Students should submit an itemized budget detailing projected expenses for the complete project. Budget line items could include travel-related expenses including transportation, meals and lodging, and conference fees. Student should indicate a reasonable financial contribution to their budgeted expenses.
  • Students should pursue additional sources of support. Please note in your budget request any additional support you have sought and/or received.

Reference Letters

  • Two letters of recommendation are required from individuals who can discuss the student's academic goals and leadership qualities, and/or who are familiar with the project for which funds are requested. At least one letter of reference should be from a professor.
  • Those submitting references can access an online reference form that includes information for uploading a reference letter.

Resume and Transcript

  • Students should submit a resume where indicated in the on-line application that includes major/minor course of study, GPA, volunteer positions, and work experience.
  • A transcript is also required as part of the on-line application.

Reporting Requirements and Public Forum

  • Students who are awarded funding will consider the impact of the project and the ways in which the grant has supported their individual leadership development. An essay on leadership is due within one month after the conclusion of the event or project, along with a detailed listing of expenses.
  • Students will present their experiences and insights at a public forum within one year from the conclusion of the project or event for which they received support.


Pre-Application Form
Application for Funding Form (by invitation only)