CCRRJ Student Scholar Fund

The 2023 Student Scholar Fund award cycle is complete. Read about the winners here.

The Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice is proud to announce its new Student Scholar Fund. The purpose of the CCRRJ Student Scholar Fund is to alleviate the financial burden on students who are currently involved or interested in the academic, research, legal, or practical application of advancing civil rights and racial justice for communities facing systemic disparities in areas including but not limited to: police violence, incarceration, housing, education, labor and employment, and health.

Funding for this opportunity was graciously made available by the "Race &..." Initiative.

Up to five awards of $1,000 each will be given to selected students.

Student Eligibility

Full-time graduate and professional students enrolled at any University of Pittsburgh campus are eligible for the award. Priority will be given to at least one or two current 1L and 2L law students.

Eligible Uses

Research/Academic
  • Travel to conferences/workshops to present or help support research, including registration fees, ground/air transportation, and lodging and meal expenses.
  • Stipend for unpaid research (both self-directed or with faculty).
Experiences/Practical/Legal
  • Stipend for unpaid/low-paid internships on topics relevant to the Center’s foci.
  • Financial support for self-directed or supportive programming that is relevant to the Center’s mission (lectures, workshops, panel discussions, etc)

Note: Scholarship funds may not be used for travel expenses for individuals other than the applicant, travel and accommodation expenses for non-research or activities not related to the student’s focus area, tuition or course fees, or any other expenses deemed non-allowable by CCRRJ. Students will be required to submit a detailed budget as part of their application.

CCRRJ Spring 2023 Scholar Award Application Timeline 

Applications open Noon, Friday, February 10, 2023
Application deadline 5 p.m., Friday, March 3, 2023
Finalists are notified Friday, March 17, 2023
Finalist interviews Monday, March 20 – March 24, 2023
Award recipients notified Friday, March 31, 2023
Recipient reception and orientation Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 11am to 1pm

Expectations

All award recipients will be required to engage with the CCRRJ during and after the school year. Awardees must write and submit a report of their experience and how it helped them academically and/or professionally. Additional participation may include (but is not limited to):

  • Attending and/or volunteering at CCRRJ-hosted events.
  • Presenting research findings to the CCRRJ Student Advisory Board.
  • Meeting with CCRRJ staff to provide updates on research.
  • Representing the CCRRJ at conferences, including Pitt’s Race and… Conference.

The presentation of the recipient’s research, work, or experiences should be directed at one or more of the following areas:

  • Local Impact: Presenting work to or collaborating with relevant local or regional partners. This could include Pitt community engagement centers and like-minded, non-university organizations with similar goals to the CCRRJ.
  • Interdisciplinary Focus: Presenting work to or collaborating with Pitt departments, centers, and institutes outside of the recipient’s degree program.
  • Youth: Presenting work to or collaborating with relevant K-12 educators, school districts, or nonprofit organizations dedicated to youth programming.

Obligations

Recipients are required to provide proof of expenses and experiences, including but not limited to the following:

  • Receipts for reimbursement of travel and hotel stays or invoices/charges to be paid by the Center.
  • Internship or research hours.
  • Proof of conference or event registration.
  • Relevant research and other written materials related to the disbursement of funds.

Application Process

Please complete this form before submitting the following necessary supporting documentation:

  1. CV/Resumé.
  2. Budget and Narrative. Budget narrative should be fewer than 200 words and include how you propose to use the funds (living expenses, conference attendance, research funding, etc.).
  3. Essay. In 500 words or less, explain how this award will help further your academic or career goals, as well as how it relates to the Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice's mission and focus areas. Please include information describing the mission and objectives of the organization(s) you will be working with. Applicants may include additional information that highlights their commitment to the CCRRJ mission, participation with student organizations, and any relevant volunteer experience.

To submit this supporting documentation, please send an email to CCRRJ@Pitt.edu with the following subject line: "Student Scholar Award App - YOUR NAME."