Active Minds

Emerging Scholars Fellowship

The Emerging Scholars Fellowship (Emerging Scholars) is a program of Active Minds, Inc. generously supported by the Scattergood Foundation for Behavioral Health.  The program is dedicated to supporting behavioral health research by college-aged scholars.  The Fellowship provides an opportunity for students to complete funded, independent mental health projects and to be connected with a network of young scholars and national experts in the field of behavioral health.  Emerging Scholars aims to expand the body of literature, creative expression, and discourse devoted to mental health with a particular emphasis on issues relevant to younger communities.  Emerging Scholars is committed to the cultivation of the next generation of behavioral health advocates and experts. The Emerging Scholars Fellowship funds six months of independent research and public dissemination for up to six college-aged scholars each year.  The fellowship runs from January through July, coinciding with the spring semester and summer.  Exemplary projects will be selected to be showcased at the fall Active Minds, Inc. National conference. 

Announcing the 2010 Emerging Scholars, Projects and Mentors!

We have a fantastic group of students completing diverse projects which will expand the body of research, literature, creative expression and discourse devoted to mental health.  Read on for more information about our scholars, their fellowship projects and their program mentors.  

2010 is the second year of the Emerging Scholars Fellowship.  Click here to learn about the 2009 Emerging Scholars and their work.  We're proud of all that they did to improve the conversation around mental health.  

Call for Proposals

Check back here in November for the 2011 Call for Proposals

The Emerging Scholars Fellowship seeks proposals for unique and thought-provoking research or creative projects related to mental health.  Any and all undergraduate and graduate students in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for this round of funding.  Proposals are due in late fall/early winter.  For more information, download the 2010 proposal information, guidelines and application here.  

The Emerging Scholars Fellowship program encourages creativity in the development of a project that reflects interest in behavioral health issues; a wide range of project types are likely to receive funding.  Each Emerging Scholars project must include a public dissemination component such as a public lecture, film screening, website, blog or installation/exhibit.  The public dissemination component of Fellowship projects is meant to provide an opportunity for productive mental health dialogue and learning among peers, faculty and each scholar's greater campus community.  

Emerging Scholars are awarded a $750 stipend to support their work.  Awardees may also apply for an additional $250 in reimbursement for material expenses.  Scholars will complete their projects during the Spring semester; scholars should expect to spend 1-3 hours per week on their project between January and July.  Projects must be completed, finalized and submitted by June 30.  Emerging Scholars encourages proposals from all interested undergraduate and graduate students in PA, DE, MD and DC and is dedicated to maximizing diversity within the Scholar network.    

Participation in the Emerging Scholars Fellowship provides a unique opportunity for leadership development and mentorship in the field of mental health.  Scholars are required to apply with a campus advisor in mind to help support and guide the project.  Scholars will also be matched with an Emerging Scholars Fellowship mentor.  Mentors will review and approve monthly progress reports from scholars, as well as provide overall project guidance and support.  The Emerging Scholars Fellowship program brings mentors and scholars together for two leadership ‘meetings of the minds' between January and July. 

Exemplary projects will be selected for presentation at the Active Minds National Mental Health on Campus Conference.  Scholars whose projects are selected will have the opportunity to present their project at a national conference and share their findings and research with student mental health advocates from across the country. 

Proposal Guidelines 

The Scattergood Emerging Scholars Program application includes five questions to be answered in a thorough yet brief manner, not to exceed three pages.  Proposed projects should have concrete objectives and timelines and must include a public dissemination component.  Although we are looking for ambitious Scholars, we encourage applicants to focus on achievable objectives which will realistically fit within the constraints of the spring academic semester. 

Proposals will be judged on a) topic relevance and innovation; b) clarity of the proposal; c) feasibility of the project; d) the ability of the project content and dissemination strategy to garner general interest, stimulate dialogue and raise awareness of mental health issues, and e) the overall qualifications and strength of the student applicant.    

Proposals should be submitted along with a one-page C.V. or resume to: scholars@activeminds.org.  Early submissions are highly encouraged.  Applicants may also include one (1) letter of recommendation from a mentor or advisor who can help us better appreciate the applicant's aptitude as an Emerging Scholar.

For more information, email Sara Abelson, Program Director at Active Minds: sara@activeminds.org.

A few possible project ideas (these are just potential examples, please feel free to propose your own unique idea):

1. Photo journalism piece, photography exhibit or film depicting student experiences with mental health disorders in college

2. Research project, blog or essay on some aspect of mental health history

3. Creative writing, poetry or stories related to mental health

4. News piece, series of new articles, letters for the editor or submission for local or national news or media

5. Screenplay, theatrical piece or radio show related to mental health 

6. Mental health-related policy proposal or analysis

7. Project combining various interests and topics with mental health: mental health and the media, mental health and sports, mental health and literature

8. Plan a mental health-related event, panel, art show, music performance

9. Project on mental health or mental illness in your local community