Vimy Global Team Award

About

Inspired by the adventures and pioneering spirit of UNC alumnus Peter McMillan ’81, the Vimy award is given annually to one interdisciplinary team of students (Vimy scholars) working collaboratively to pursue research or service projects outside the United States. Made possible by the Global Education Fund, up to $15,000 is provided to fund a summer team project abroad. This award is intended to support UNC undergraduate and master’s-level students in completing self-directed or self-designed group projects internationally during the summer.

The award provides funding for travel as well as supplies needed to implement the project.

The Center embraces diversity in all of its forms and encourages applications from those less commonly represented in international work.

Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, the proposed project must:

• Include at least three students from diverse majors, backgrounds and perspectives;
• Take place outside of the United States;
• Be self-designed or self-directed; and
• Team members must be returning to UNC the semester following the project. (In certain circumstances an exception can be made for one team member. Please contact the program officer with questions.)

We encourage project teams which include both undergraduate and master’s students as well as projects which include elements of social innovation and bring back the work to the UNC community.

Restrictions

• Team members may not be in a Ph.D. program or be faculty/staff.
• Team members may not apply for the Center for Global Initiatives’ other funding opportunities for the same project in the same year.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Application Instructions

Application Resources

We strongly recommend that you seek advice from a faculty member in designing and planning this project. To find a faculty member with expertise in your area of interest, check out our Faculty International Expertise Database.

For additional guidance on developing your project budget and timeline, please review our “Travel Application Tips” document.

Written Application

The application should be completed by the team leader, in consultation with the entire team. The full application process is completed online, and you can view a preview of the application before you begin. The application consists of the following:

• Basic information for the team leader and team members
• Project title and summary
• Project description
  Please include the objective, need for the project, methodology or process for implementation.
• Impact and engagement
  What affect the project will have? How will the work be sustained after your return? How will you share what you have learned, plans you have for expansion or other engagement beyond the community where you will be working?
• Project timeline
  Please share a high-level overview of your project planning and implementation timeline, including project benchmarks and important events.
• Team members
  Why is this the best group to conduct this work? What skills, perspectives, experiences do individual team members bring to the project? How will each team member benefit from the experience and use this experience to achieve future goals?
  
• Budget items (budget details and justification)
  How will the award be used to support the project? What other funding has been received or is being pursued?

Applicant Presentations

Teams selected as finalists by the review committee may be scheduled for a interview/pitch session in front of the review committee.

In addition, a faculty adviser must provide a letter of support for the team.

Timeline

• Initial application deadline: Feb. 12, 2018, 11:59 p.m. EST
• Notification of finalists: mid-March
• Finalist presentations: late March
• Final decisions: late March

Award Requirements

If selected for funding, all team members must:

• Submit a project reflection after completion.
• Secure IRB approval, if required. Potential IRB-related issues should be discussed in your project proposal.
• Contribute to the Center’s Carolina Navigators program by bringing back items for a culture kit, putting together a photo essay for the program or taking part in a virtual presentation to K-12 students.
• Attend the daylong GO! Global Orientation on Culture and Ethics Pre-Departure Orientation.
• Present at one of the Center for Global Initiatives’ Global Projects Showcases or another approved speaking engagement.

Available Funding

Estimated Available Funds: $15,000
Estimated Range of Award: $15,000
Number of Awards: 1 (2-4 finalists)
Typical Number of Applicants: 14 teams

The Center for Global Initiatives is not bound by these estimates. Awards will be made as a combination of stipends, travel and travel advances at the discretion of the Center for Global Initiatives and depending on the proposed budget.

Evaluation of Applicants

Applications will be evaluated in the following areas:

Feasibility and Planning

• Is the proposed project adequate and appropriate to achieve the team’s expected goals?
• Is the team prepared to implement this project successfully?
• Has the team considered possible challenges to implementation?
• Are the questions who, what, when, where and why articulated?

Need

• Is there a clear financial, academic and professional need for the team to receive this award in order to undertake this project?
• Does the project serve a need in the community of focus?
• Is the project original and not a replication of existing work?
• Is there demonstrated support for this project from a community partner?

Impact

• Will the project advance the team’s academic and professional careers?
• How does UNC benefit from this project?

Sustainability & Engagement

• Does the project include a plan for sustainability and continuity of the work and learning after the end of the award period?
• Has the team outlined a reasonable documentation strategy and planned for engaging the campus community upon their return?

Team Composition & Diversity of Approach

• Does the team bring a diverse set of skills and approaches (academic, personal background, past experience, etc.) to the problem?
• Does the team have the necessary skills to successfully implement all areas of the project?

Budget

• Is the budget clear, adequate, reasonable and justified?