BACKGROUND OF THE SOMOS UNDERGRADUATE DEVELOPMENT AWARD
The Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Program offers the Somos Undergraduate Development Award annually to students enrolled in its academic programs who belong to minority groups historically underserved by higher education in the United States. The award is supported by the generosity of Dr. Andrea-Teresa Arenas with proceeds from the sale of her book Somos Latinas, and by her husband, former Chancellor John Wiley. Each Spring, the Program will award up to $1500.00 for at least one student professional, academic, or artistic initiative, preferably one to be carried out during the following summer or the following academic year. Examples of eligible student initiatives include travel to professional meetings, internships, research projects, travel to collections, and creative projects. Applications will be screened by a committee of CLSP faculty and staff who will determine the award winner or winners.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants for the award should submit the following materials through the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH):
1) A project proposal describing the proposed initiative and outlining a schedule of activities (1-3pp). The proposal should include information about times and places of activities, the applicant’s role in them and information about collaborators or faculty supervisors if applicable. Conference presentations, research papers, and creative projects should have titles.
2) A project budget, including information about support requested from other sources.
3) An academic resume or CV.
4) Biographical sketch of applicant, which demonstrates how this opportunity relates to current area of study or post-graduate plans.
5) If applicable, documentation of the feasibility of the initiative (for example, a letter of acceptance from an internship site, acceptance of scholarship (i.e. a paper, poster, art, poetry, etc. at a conference or conference type event).
The Deadline for Spring 2024 is April 5th. Students selected for an award must complete the following requirements upon acceptance:
1) Providing a personal photograph suitable for use on the Web to the Program.
2) An introductory meeting with CLSP Director to discuss and clarify the plan for the initiative and the student’s needs.
3) A meeting to check in with CLSP Director after the initiative is complete.
4) A brief (1-2pp) written report on the initiative, submitted three weeks after its completion. This may take the form of an essay that could be used as part of the Program’s newsletter. If the student’s initiative culminates in an original piece of writing, that piece of writing may substitute for the brief report, and the Program will consider publishing it in the next issue of the Latinx Studies Journal.
5) A handwritten thank-you card to the donor.
6) At the Advisor’s discretion, the Program may ask the awardee to present about their experience at the CLS Community Gathering.
The award will be distributed in two payments. The first payment will occur after acceptance of the award and successful completion of Requirements 1 and 2. In general, the first payment will be up to $500, but this may vary according to the needs of the awardee’s initiative at the discretion of the Director. The second payment will be distributed following the completion of requirements 3-6. Applicants may direct questions to the Program Administrator.