Service Grants
A Dean Rusk Service Grant is defined as the participation in activities that help or support international initiatives. This grant can include internships.
Applying for the Grant
For this grant, each student is required to complete the following steps:
- Consult with the Dean Rusk office to discuss your project proposal.
- Write a proposal.
- Complete travel grant budget report.
- If applicable, obtain a language proficiency recommender. (required where English is not the predominant language in the country for your proposed project)
It is strongly recommended students also obtain a faculty recommendation, but it is NOT required.
Writing Your Proposal
A strong proposal includes:
- How will you help or support others during your travels?
- How is this project important within your academic career, personal goals, or future plans?
- What are the specific plans you wish to accomplish (volunteer for nonprofit or internship such as a government agency abroad, etc.)?
- What are your language skills for the proposed countries you plan to travel to?
- What other knowledge or expertise do you have that will assist you in this project (knowledge of medical terminology, expertise in construction building, etc.)?
- What are the preparations you must complete before departing (contacting a specific organization to collaborate with, training certificates, etc.)?
- Can you get those tasks done with the requested resources (budget) and the proposed time frame?
- How will you make your project accessible to all audiences?
Deadline
2024 Service Grants will be available when the fall grant cycle opens at the close of the spring grant cycle, with an application deadline of October 1, 2024.
To start your application, use Submittable.
Recently Funded Service Grants
Wakami Foundation Internship
by Annabel Semans ‘26
Annabel interned with the Wakami Foundation in Antigua, Guatemala, a 501(c)(3) organization empowering rural women artisans to create business platforms for their crafts and make informed investments for their families' futures. She supported the Fundraising Manager by writing all the text for their new website and assisted the Director of Marketing and Communications in researching, planning, and proposing a new brand ambassador program for the Wakami brand.
Internship in Menéndez-Pelayo School
by Isabella McCormick ‘25
Isabella pursued a K-12 English teaching internship at Colegio Menendez-Pelayo in Cantabria, Spain. She assisted in teaching English to Spanish students through coursework and activities, fostering intercultural discussions among students, school faculty, and her host family.
Serving Kids through Education in El Paraíso, Honduras
by Gabriella Cubias Aguilar
Gabriella traveled to Honduras, her parents' home country, to teach English to elementary-aged children at Escuela Emma Romero De Callejas in El Paraíso. Using her bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, she instructed 45-55 students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades, covering speaking, reading, and writing skills including the English alphabet, numbers, shapes, colors, and more. Additionally, she designed lesson plans and taught mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies.
