CCRRJ Student Scholar Fund

The Center for Civil Rights and Racial Justice is now accepting applications for its 2024 Student Scholar Fund Awards! Deadline adjusted to March 15, 2024.

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.

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 2024 Scholar Award Application Timeline 

Applications open 1 p.m., Monday, January 22, 2024
Application deadline 5 p.m., Friday, March 15, 2024 (DEADLINE EXTENDED)
Finalists are notified First Week of April 2024
Finalist interviews Week of April 8, 2024
Award recipients notified Week of April 15, 2024
Recipient reception and orientation TBD

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 the application available here.

You will need the following materials in order to complete the application.

  1. A CV/résumé
  2. Budget (including brief description of how you plan to make use of the award money)
  3. Application essay (500 words or less explaining how the award will further your academic or career goals and how your project relates to the Center's mission and focus areas; please include: the objectives and mission of the org you plan to work with, experience that highlights the applicant's commitment to the Center's mission, participation with student orgs, relevant volunteer experience, etc.)

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to receiving your applications.