Selection criteria
The committee uses the criteria below to evaluate applications. These are the factors reviewers weigh, though they understand you may not have room in your essay to address every point equally.
What strong candidates look like
Self-motivated, reflective, collaborative, and genuinely prepared for the project.
Strong candidates tend to be:
- self-motivated and organized;
- thoughtful, informed, critical thinkers;
- resourceful;
- aware of the role of power, and able to navigate different contexts with respect and humility;
- self-reflective, with a clear sense of their own values, strengths, and areas for growth;
- curious and open to new ideas;
- innovative problem-solvers;
- authentically dedicated to the cause;
- prepared to succeed with the project — with relevant experience aligned to it (for instance, a year working with a related organization, or a year leading an organization or project), a deep understanding of the project's context, a deep commitment to the communities involved, and a demonstrated commitment to collaborative approaches.
What the project must be
Innovative, ambitious, impactful, feasible, and assessable.
The project you propose should be:
- Innovative — addressing, solving, or offering an effective alternative to a current problem, with an original, inventive idea or a fresh approach.
- Ambitious — larger in scope and complexity than a project typical of the Research or Leadership scholarships; substantial enough to require three to eight months of focused work; and calling for strong leadership and project management, content-area expertise, and coalition-building across multiple stakeholders.
- Impactful — useful and meaningful, with real potential to make a significant positive difference for a community, while giving you a rich opportunity to learn, deepen community and professional connections, and move toward your next opportunity.
- Feasible — with a plan, timeline, and methodology that align with the community's goals; community connections and trust already established; and requirements that match your or your team's abilities.
- Supported by an assessment plan — describing how the project and its community impact can be assessed, illustrating learning and development for the scholars, and identifying what success would look like for both the communities and the scholars.
Commitment, timing, and impact
Readiness, follow-through, and an award that makes the difference.
Reviewers also weigh:
- whether you're prepared to take on the project, and whether it's developed enough to succeed;
- whether you're committed to seeing it through;
- whether the timing is right — and whether, without the award, you'd have difficulty undertaking the project or be unable to;
- whether the opportunity offers a powerful learning experience that prepares you to engage at a higher level in your next endeavor.
Questions are always welcome at mgates@uw.edu.