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 Service Grant proposal includes:
- What is your proposed service project, and how will you help or support others during it?
- Why does your proposed project need to be conducted internationally and cannot be completed on campus?
- Why must you complete this project at this time?
- Clarify any specifics about why this location, itinerary, accommodation, and method of travel.
- How will the proposed service experience help you better understand an aspect of yourself or your interests, whether academic or career-related?
- What are your plans for accomplishing this project? Specifically, what will you be doing?
- Will you be working with a specific organization? If so, please provide a website if available.
- What preparations will you need to complete before departing to make your service project successful (e.g., contacting a specific organization to collaborate with)?
- Do you have specific expertise, such as language proficiency, relevant coursework, or knowledge (e.g., medical terminology, construction building, previous teaching) that will assist you in this project?
- If there is a language barrier to consider, how will you prepare to mitigate it?
- What considerations are important regarding personal and social responsibility while engaging in this project?
- Can you complete the proposed tasks with the requested budget and within the proposed time frame?
- What are your plans for presenting your service experience, both on campus and to the broader community, in an accessible way?
- How will personal reflection be highlighted during your project, and how will you connect your service experience back to Davidson and/or the classroom?
Deadline
Summer 2025 Service Grants application is now open. Application deadline is February 1, 2025.
To start your application, use this link.
Recently Funded Service Grants
Wakami Foundation Internship
Annabel Semans ‘26 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
Isabella McCormick ‘25 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
Gabriella Cubias Aguilar '26 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.
