Student Awards, Scholarships and Grants
The Center for Public Service manages several award, scholarship and grant programs to help support students in their service interests. The scholarship programs are offered to students in recognition of their dedication to service as well as to support their service efforts during their Tulane career. Grants are available to for student-initiated academic and extracurricular programs. The award programs recognize those students who have made a sustained commitment to service in New Orleans and around the world. For more information about any of these opportunities, please contact Maurice Smith, unless otherwise noted
The Jena Hellman Leblang Emerging Leader in Service Award was established in recognize the work of one undergraduate student who is following in Mrs. Leblang’s path by bringing smiles to the faces of those who need it. This student, like Mrs. Leblang, will have dedicated their time to enhancing the quality of life of those around them through volunteering, organizing, donating and, above all, caring. Mrs. Leblang may no longer be with us, but her spirit of selflessness and generosity lives on in the Foundation, this award, and the many individuals who believe that everyone needs a smile. The recipient will be honored during the annual Community Involvement Award ceremony held in April and receive a cash award totaling $500.
The Jim Runsdorf Excellence in Public Service Student Award will identify and recognize students who demonstrate social responsibility and awareness of the needs of the community through significant contributions throughout their undergraduate tenure at Tulane. These students should embody the best practices of civic engagement, be committed, compassionate leaders and show dedication to the rebuilding efforts in the city of New Orleans. Student must submit a resume, personal statement, and letter of recommendation to be considered for this award. The recipients will be honored during an event with various Tulane administrators as well as representatives from the Runsdorf family and receive a cash award totaling $500.
The Leaders in Service: Top Public Service Student Award recognizes students who have committed their Tulane University career to improving the community around them. Whether through service-learning courses, internships, student leadership or volunteerism, the students recognized have shown dedication in their commitment to the New Orleans community and beyond. This is a non-monetary award.
The Stair Award for Excellence in Community Engagement in New Orleans recognizes undergraduate students at Tulane who have dedicated exceptional time and effort to public service activities in the greater New Orleans area and whose skills and experiences prepare them to continue as engaged civic leaders upon graduation. The recipients will be honored by a member of the Stair family during the annual Community Involvement Award ceremony held in April and receive a cash award totaling $1000.
The Community Involvement Awards are a collaboration between Community Action Council of Tulane University Students and CPS that recognize outstanding students, student organizations, service-learning course and community partners that have had a positive impact in New Orleans communities. These are non-monetary awards.
The Fran and Mark Berg Public Service Scholarship provides tuition assistance ($4500 non-renewable scholarship) to at least one Tulane University rising junior or senior who has shown significant commitment to community engagement activities and has an interest in working in a public service or social service occupation after graduation. In addition to responding to application questions, students must provide a current resume, personal statement reflecting on the impact of their community engagement experiences, digital copy of university transcript and two professional references.
The Felson Service Fund awards small grants to students interested in starting new programs, expanding existing programs or further their development within community engagement. Grant requests are reviewed during the fall and spring academic terms by the CPS Student Advisory Board. Funds are generally limited to $250 for individuals and $500 for student organizations. The Felson Service Fund is made possible by the generosity of the Felson family and the Jayme and Kara Felson Endowed Fund for Public Service. Out of an abundance of caution, the CPS Felson Fund has been temporarily suspended. The Committee will continue to review applications as usual but will not disburse funds until the university lifts its policy on non-essential travel and in-person contact.
CPS Research Grants support students conducting community-based research as part of an independent study course or an approved honors thesis. CPS defines community-based research as collaborative, change-oriented research that engages students and community members in projects that address community needs. The research grants provide Tulane students with the financial resources up to $500 to conduct research that advances Tulane's research and civic agendas in the context of contemporary New Orleans.
Proposals should address the following information and should not exceed three pages.
- Honors Thesis/Independent study description including:
- Project rationale
- Plan for community partnership
- Research plan
- Dissemination plan
- Explanation of public service contribution (Why is this research a public service?)
- A detailed budget and budget narrative
- Thesis director or Faculty advisor contact information
Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until grant money has been fully utilized and should be electronically submitted to Myriam Huet. Honors Thesis proposals should also be submitted to Dr. Charlotte Maheu Vail. For more information, please contact Myriam Huet.
