UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State undergraduate students from all campuses and fields of study who are interested in expanding their knowledge beyond the classroom through engagement experiences are encouraged to apply for a Student Engagement Network grant by Aug. 31.
Engagement experiences cover a wide variety of learning and growth opportunities, including research, internships, co-ops, study abroad, study away, service learning, artistic creation and performance, participation in student and professional clubs and organizations, peer mentoring, and philanthropic service among others.
Students can apply for financial support to cover the costs of living (i.e., housing, food, transportation) for unpaid internships or research opportunities, as well as supplies, materials, books, and/or software needed for projects, events and presentations.
Awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the number of applications received; however, there is a maximum allotment of $3,000 per applicant.
Daniel Kats, a junior pursuing a major in biomedical engineering, spent seven weeks in East Africa over the summer with the support of the Student Engagement Network. He worked on the Kijenzi venture through Penn State’s Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) program and helped to implement 3D printing in the healthcare industry of Kisumu.
In reflecting on his experience abroad, Kats said, “The contacts I had made, related to my venture and not, had all inspired me in a different way — whether it was a street artist who makes a living carving stone figurines, or two homeless boys I had bought lunch for one day, or a tailor I had design a dress for my girlfriend, I had something to learn from each of these people that can never be learned in a textbook at home.”
Kats is one among hundreds of students who were funded during the 2017-2018 academic year to explore their interests and pursue their passions across the globe.
To learn more about previous grant awardees and their engagement experience stories, visit engage.psu.edu/students/stories.
Additional details about the grant program, including eligibility requirements and instructions on how to submit an application, can be found at engage.psu.edu/students/grants.
The Student Engagement Network is a joint initiative between Undergraduate Education, Student Affairs, and Outreach and Online Education. The mission of the Student Engagement Network is to advance the power of participation by connecting students with experiences that empower them to make a positive impact as citizens and leaders of the world.
For more information about the Student Engagement Network, visit engage.psu.edu or email engage@psu.edu.