Mini-Grants

Mini-Grant Applications are now open for the 2023 - 2024 academic year.  The last day to submit an application is May 31, 2024.


During the Fall and Spring semesters, the Career & Civic Engagement Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to support their developing interests. There are limited funds available for students to apply for through the Center. The Mini-Grant Application is closed during the summer.

Undergraduate students are only eligible to receive funds from one of the four areas (The Center, The Center (test prep), Career Engagement, Civic Engagement) per academic year and the request has a maximum limit of $200 per student or group.

To align with our goal of meeting students’ changing needs in these challenging times, we are piloting a mini-grant program for test preparation courses and/or materials for graduate school exams (e.g. GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT).  We recognize that test prep courses and materials can be very expensive and that a mini-grant of $200 might not be able to cover all expenses, but we hope this can help chip away at the cost and make these supports more accessible to all students.  We recognize that for many of you, test preparation is an important part of the undergraduate experience as you determine your next steps after Bryn Mawr. 

Applying to graduate or professional school can be a big undertaking. From researching available programs in your area of study, to preparing application materials or studying for entrance exams, there is a lot to think about. On top of that, many/most graduate & professional schools charge a fee to apply. Graduate school application fees can range anywhere from $30-$130. For people applying to more than one program, these fees can start to add up quickly. However, did you know that in some cases, it’s possible to have those application fees waived? The fee waiver process differs from one academic institution to another, it can also differ between departments at any given institution.  Some schools offer a limited number of waivers and distribute them on a first-come, first-served basis.  Some institutions want you to attend an info session or a grad school fair in order to receive their waivers.  Some fee waivers are granted through a centralized process. We encourage you to explore what options might exist for fee waivers at the schools you are applying to as a first step in your process.  If you are applying to Law Schools, Jennifer Beale (jbeale@brynmawr.edu) is a good resource at Bryn Mawr to discuss your options. If you are applying to Medical Schools, Gail Glicksman (gglicksman@brynmawr.edu) is a good resource at Bryn Mawr to discuss your options. If there is not a fee waiver process or you are denied a waiver, we encourage you to continue completing this application.  

How to Apply

Mini-grant request form

You will be prompted at the start of the mini-grant application to select one of the four areas listed below. For any of the four areas, undergraduate students may apply for a mini-grant anytime during the academic year by submitting a proposal using this form. 
 

Pilot Program:  Graduate or Professional School Application Fee mini-grant request form

Career & Civic Engagement Center staff review applications and if approved, grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. There is a limited budget, so it's possible funds may not be available toward the end of the academic year.

How Funds May be Used

The funds for mini-grants may be used in a variety of ways. For instance, undergraduate students have requested funding for transportation to an event or to pay for guest speakers who will address the campus. In addition, funding can be applied toward conference registration fees, travel, accommodation, and food expenses.

  • Civic Engagement: Civic Engagement offers undergraduates the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to fund their developing projects. Funds from a Civic Engagement mini-grant may be used for a one-time service event or to provide seed money for an ongoing new initiative. 
  • Career Engagement: Career Engagement offers undergraduates the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to further their career interests and goals. Funds from a Career Engagement mini-grant may be used for a one-time event or conference, or for interview-related travel expenses.  
  • Career & Civic Engagement Center: The Career & Civic Engagement Center offers undergraduates the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to further their leadership interests and goals. Funds from a Career & Civic Engagement Center mini-grant may be used for a one-time event or conference. 
  • Career & Civic Engagement Center (Test Prep): Test preparation courses and/or materials for graduate school exams (e.g. GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT).
  • Career & Civic Engagement Center (Graduate School Fee): Graduate school application fees (read application carefully for eligibility requirements).

Please note:

  • Applicants must link the content of the mini-grant to personal development and civic engagement using at least two of the following leadership competencies: Conceptual Thinking, Implementation, Communication, Social Responsibility, Cultural Competency, Connection, and Reflective Practice. 
  • Travel award applications must show some sort of documentation about the conference.
  • Applicants must submit a budget showing how the award will be spent.
  • Awards cannot exceed $200 per proposal or per person, including from funds secured for additional sources.

Mini-Grant FAQs

Past Projects

Below are some examples of past projects students have developed and participated in that were supported by Career & Civic Engagement mini-grants:

Penn State Early Period Studies Conference

A student who was double majoring in Spanish and Philosophy submitted a paper to the Penn State Early Period Studies Conference. The paper was accepted and the student was invited to present at the conference on Women Poets in the Spanish Golden Age. The mini-grant approved by Career Engagement provided funds to cover the cost of transportation, accommodation, and meals for the student at the conference.

Winter Break Externship Travel

A student was matched with an alum who serves as a patent attorney at King Mongkut's University of Technology in Thonburi in Thailand for a Winter Break Externship. The student reviewed press releases and contracts related to a project promoting small to medium size technology enterprises in Bangkok. With the money from the Career Engagement mini-grant, the student was able to offset the cost of airfare to get from the U.S. to Thailand. 

Think Global, Act Local

Alexi Ernstoff requested funding from Civic Engagement to support a fundraising event for a new student organization. Think Global, Act Local is a student-run group on campus with the goal of raising funds and awareness for local organizations that represent global issues. The money provided by Civic Engagement paid for supplies and transportation expenses accrued in organizing a clothing sale in partnership with Green Street Consignment Shop.

Common Ground Collective Trip to New Orleans

Georgia Lawrence applied to Civic Engagement requesting money to off-set the cost for four Bryn Mawr students to travel to New Orleans over winter break to work with Common Ground Collective—an agency organizing rebuilding efforts in areas of New Orleans destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

flowers

Contact Us

The Career & Civic Engagement Center

Phone: 610-526-5174