Service-Learning Grants

Alternative Spring Break is excited to offer two distinct grants this year to support independent service-learning projects for the winter and spring service trips. All trip-participants are invited to apply to these programs by the Application Deadline of December 6th, 2009. All grant-recipients will collaborate with a UVa faculty member to conduct independent research before and during their service-trip experience. Recipients will share the results of their research with their fellow trip-participants during the trip experience and with the greater UVa community upon their return at an ASB Service-Learning Research Symposium. The two specific grant programs that are offered are the Service-Learning Research Grant and the Baireuther Service-Learning Award.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. The application looks so long, you expect me to complete that!?!?

    It may look a bit intimidating, but the application questions are actually pretty straightforward. Once you have developed a general research idea, the actual application should only take a couple hours. Don't hesitate to contact the Academic Engagement Chair, Carolyne Jones, if you have any questions or concerns about the application. Carolyne can be reached at cbj3y @ virginia.edu or.

  2. But how do I come with a topic for my research project?

    If you are having trouble thinking of a topic for research, try doing a little bit of background reading on your trip destination and relevant local issues. Start from there. Pay attention to what strikes your curiosity during this reading. Follow what interests you, and note what questions you find yourself asking. You might try to figure out what is unknown about this area that may be related to the particular issues your service trip is addressing. Then, think about how you might reasonably be able to discover useful new information related to those issues.

  3. I've never had any experience doing any kind of research project at all, should I really still apply?

    Absolutely. That's why ASB is offering two different grant programs this year. We have worked hard to tailor the Service Learning Research Grant program to those who may have had absolutely no prior research experience. Significant guidance will be provided along the way for you to refine your project and get help overcoming any bumps in the road that may come up.

  4. What kind of guidance will be provided to grant-recipients?

    There will be multiple workshops held that grant-recipients can attend in order to learn how to go about handling such project tasks as contacting a professor, developing educational materials/activities for fellow participants, and figuring out the most appropriate methods for data collection. There will also be open “office hours” available for more individualized attention to concerns related to your project. Email can also provide another effective means of getting your questions answered.

  5. What about the Baireuther Award? What are the differences between the two different grants again?

    In short, the Baireuther Award supports more independent and involved research projects. It is designed for particularly ambitious applicants or those applicants who may have some prior research experience. This award has some additional expectations beyond that of the Service-Learning Research Grant, such as a more extensive summary of project results. These higher project expectations are reflected in the difference in the stipend amount and total potential funding. More information.

  6. What are some examples of past ASB research projects?

    The titles of a few previous successful ASB research projects include Language, Education, and Identity in Cameroon, Religious Aspects of Garífuna Culture, The Use of voseo in Honduran Spanish Grammar, and The Role of Narratives in Organizing Experience in Chile. These reflect however just a small part of the range of possible research topics. Participants on trips to any destination focusing on any service area are invited to develop their own research project in whatever academic discipline that they want. For further detail and information of past research projects, please contact our Academic Engagement Chair.

Service-Learning Research Grant

Baireuther Service-Learning Award

Important Dates

Dec 6th Application Deadline for Spring Application
Mid-April Service Learning Symposium

 

Applications

Below are the applications for the Service-Learning Grants. They will be due via email to Academic Engagement Chair Carolyne Jones at cbj3y @ virginia.edu by 11:59 pm on the deadlines listed. Please feel free to contact her if you have any questions.

Service-Learning Research Grant Application (.doc)
Baireuther Service-Learning Award (.doc)