What does a project entail?
These projects might take several forms including independent studies, honors projects, or other academic-based experiences. The fund supports student community-engaged learning projects during the academic year in any discipline. The project undertaken should have a real-world and practical emphasis and the student recipients should collaborate with a community partner to identify and produce a useful deliverable for the community partner as part of their project. The project must have a Bowdoin faculty member serving as a mentor.
How much can I apply for and what can I use the funds for?
Students can apply for up to $500 in funding through the Ladd Fund. Traditionally, these funds are used for travel and other per diem expenses, supplies, small honorariums to participating organizations, etc. The McKeen Center expects this to still be the case, even for students studying and working remotely from their home communities.
When can I apply, what does an application entail, and how do I submit it?
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. Each application will be reviewed by McKeen Center staff and they will reach out to the student about next steps within one week. Students should submit applications at least three weeks prior to when funds are needed for projects.
A complete Ladd Fund for Community-Engaged Learning application includes:
- A one-page, single-spaced description of the project, understandable to a non-specialist. This should include the project’s start and end dates and must be written by the student. Applicants should also include previous community-engagement experience that has prepared them to do this project. The McKeen Center expects the faculty mentor to advise the student and to review the application and budget to ensure that all appropriate information is included.
- An itemized budget and detailed budget justification with all figures rounded to the nearest $10. Please note that the McKeen Center expects students to put forward a plan to use funds as effectively as possible.
- A PDF of the student's unofficial academic history from Polaris (for guidelines on how to save your unofficial academic history as a PDF, click here).
- One letter of support from the student’s faculty mentor.
The Ladd Application can be accessed and completed at the Application Link. Your faculty mentor should email their Letter of Support to Sarah Seames, director of the McKeen Center for the Common Good. Questions about the Ladd Fund for Community-Engaged Learning can also be directed to Sarah Seames.