The UCGHI Women's Health, Gender, and Empowerment Center of Expertise (WHGE COE) will fund up to $2,500 to support University of California undergraduate students pursuing internships/fellowships during the summer of 2019.

This opportunity is for UC undergraduate students involved in research, programs, and policy development activities in the areas of women's health, gender, and empowerment – specifically for scholars who are investigating the intersection and interrelated nature of these three areas. The WHGE COE will fund four to six scholars at $1,500 to $2,500 depending on applicants' needs and the number of meritorious applications received.

About the opportunity

• Activities during the internship/fellowship must be at the nexus of women’s health gender and empowerment subject areas.
• The internship/fellowship can be conducted domestically or internationally.
• Applicants must be enrolled at a UC campus for the following academic year (i.e., typically not seniors unless enrolling in a graduate program at a UC.
• Awardees are required to attend the WHGE COE’s annual retreat in winter 2020 and make a 5-minute presentation on their internship/project (travel expenses paid).
• Awardees are matched with a WHGE COE mentor, based on the topic of their internship/project. The awardee will be expected to set up at least two meetings (in person or via telephone/Skype) with her/his COE mentor during the award period and seek feedback about her/his project presentation to be made at the annual retreat.
• Funds can be used for paying a stipend for unpaid internships, purchasing project supplies, travel (international or domestic), and other reasonable expenses (but typically not for equipment). Stipends take longer to process than reimbursement for expenses, sometimes up to one year.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to all undergraduate students at any UC campus, with preference given to low-income students.

Low-income status is determined based on the financial aid the applicant is currently receiving. For example, students with Pell Grants or other need-based grants will qualify as low-income. Low-income applicants should include documentation of such need-based financial aid.

Apply

Applications are due by April 22, 2019 at 5pm PST. Applicants may request up to $2,500, with plans to spend the award by September 22, 2019, after which remaining funds revert to the WHGE COE. Award announcements will be made in May 2019. Please note that funds used for stipends take up to one year to be processed, therefore travel funds can be dispersed via reimbursement immediately.

Application Format

Submit the following to Stephanie Sumstine by April 22, 2019.

• A two-page concept proposal that provides a brief background of the issue(s) to be addressed during the internship/fellowship and a description of the project aims, the activities to take place, the team’s expertise (including the mentor), and a timeline.
• Budget synopsis (not counted against the two-page limit).
• Resume.
• Proof of need-based financial aid.
• Faculty mentors must submit a letter addressed to the WHGE COE committee describing the resources that will be made available to the student applicant, including mentorship and equipment. Faculty letter is due by the application deadline, April 22, 2019.
• If the faculty mentor is not a WHGE COE member, then the faculty mentor can join the WHGE COE, or the WHGE COE can match the student with a WHGE COE faculty member. WHGE COE leadership can serve as a WHGE COE mentor for students. For a list of WHGE COE members on your campus, email Stephanie Sumstine.

For questions, contact Stephanie Sumstine at SSumstine@mednet.ucla.edu.

About the Women’s Health, Gender and Empowerment Center of Expertise

The Women’s Health, Gender and Empowerment Center of Expertise envisions a world in which equitable gender norms lead to healthy and empowered women — including University of California students. The COE promotes research, education and community engagement both globally and locally to reduce gender and health inequities.

Application deadline: April 22, 2019 at 5pm PST.