Eugene Lang Opportunity Awards

Eligible applicants must: 

• Be matriculated degree students of Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts
• Demonstrate financial need

For each grant, be sure to review the specific criteria and requirements for the grant. Review your application materials before submitting to ensure they meet the requirements.

If you would like help thinking through and writing your proposal, sign up for help with your proposal with the Learning Center. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to present and highlight your experience and ideas in a compelling manner, especially if you are new to the process of applying for a grant. 

If a résumé is required for your grant, contact Student Career Services at The New School for help in preparing an effective résumé.

Complete the application on the Engaged Learning Opportunities Shared Application page.

• Requirements are outlined on the template application

An application received after one deadline will be rolled over to the next deadline unless the dates of the proposed activity or project preclude later consideration. In that case, the application will be rejected. Deadlines may be edited based on the availability of funds. 

Write a compelling narrative description and a thoughtful budget of your proposed activity.

For your narrative, consider the following:

• Describe your reasons for applying to the ELOA program.
• What can you gain from the proposed experience?
• Describe your interest in the proposed area of research, project, or program.
• Draw upon past experiences in leadership, community service, team efforts, etc. (Note: Do not restate the contents of your résumé.)
• Highlight your career goals and how the proposed project or program fits into your plans.

For your budget, consider the following:

• Make sure the budget includes only eligible project-related expenses. These may include (but are not limited to): 
  • Travel, lodging, transportation, and meals
  • Equipment not otherwise available on campus
  • Materials and supplies not available on campus
  • Access fees for data or memberships, professional organizations, or registration fees
  • Costs for showcasing artwork or performance
  • Necessary payments or incentives for participants in a research study

• Expenses in the following categories are not allowable:
  • New School fees or tuition
  • Wages or other fixed, regular payments that will continue beyond the scope of the project
  • Alcohol or other age-restricted items

• Expenses in the following categories should be justified as uniquely essential to the project in the application: 
  • Basic living expenses in New York City
  • Payments to other students or professionals for research or performance-related work (in the form on single payments for services directly related to the project)

For a strong personal statement., consider the following:

• What is the topic/focus of your research, project, or program?
• Can you concisely explain your research question or the focus of your research, project, or program and goals?
• What is the purpose and merit of the proposed research, program, or project? (How will this research, program, or project contribute to your academic and personal development and to the community, and are these contributions significant?)
• What methodology will you employ to complete the research, project, or program? (Is the proposed research, project, or program feasible, and do you have adequate resources and abilities to complete it? Is the research, project, or program over-ambitious or under-ambitious?)
• Describe your qualifications. (Why should the selection committee feel you can successfully complete this research, project, or program?)
• How do you plan to share the results of your project or research or the program experience with the broader community?
• What are the benefits of this research, project, or program to you personally?

Make sure that you've discussed your project with faculty you are requesting support from. Contact faculty early to ensure they can support your work and are able to offer you suggestions on your application.

Finally, proofread your application before you submit it.

Your submission is final. You can't make edits or append any documents after submission. Be thorough in your review of your application, but do not wait until the last minute to submit it. 

Check your proposal for spelling, correct calculations, adherence to page limitations, and font and file-type requirements.

Use the checklist provided in the application instructions to ensure that all required documents are included in the application.

Review the content and be sure you have addressed all the criteria that will be used to evaluate your application.