Are you a college senior ready to spend a year pursuing public service after graduation? If so, the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award (SHPSA) could be your chance to make it happen!
I first discovered the Samuel Huntington Public Service Award (SHPSA) during my freshman year. At that time, I had just wrapped up the Davis Projects for Peace and was eager to dive into another grant-funded opportunity. When I learned about the SHPSA, I made it a goal to position myself as an ideal candidate by my senior year. Thankfully, all that preparation paid off, and I was blessed to win it in 2020. Below, I’ll guide you through the steps to apply and share some tips that helped me along the way.
Step 1️⃣: Check Your Eligibility
To be eligible, you must be a graduating senior from a U.S. college or university with a strong passion for public service. You can demonstrate this by highlighting past internships, projects, research, and courses you have pursued, which showcase your dedication to service. You do not need to be a US citizen to apply for this opportunity.
Step 2️⃣: Review the Key Information
Take the time to read through the FAQs, impact page, and application document to familiarize yourself with the award’s purpose, selection process, and important information/dates. Knowing this will set you up for success!
Step 3️⃣: Get Inspired by Past Winners
Browse the projects of past SHPSA winners to inspire your own application/project.
Bonus Tip: When I applied, I reached out to past winners to learn from their experiences. I highly recommend doing the same! If you have questions, please contact me—my details are on my "about" page. You can also contact your college/university's career center for advice on applying for the Award.
Step 4️⃣: Prepare Your Application
The application process doesn’t have a portal, so you must fill out an application form and submit the required materials via email (preferred) or mail.
Here's what to keep in mind:
Tip #1: In your proposal, clearly demonstrate your understanding of the problem you're addressing and outline the innovative approach you plan to take.
Tip #2: For the budget section, remember that while part of the award can cover living expenses, the majority of it should be allocated to the project itself. You can use websites like Numbeo to estimate the cost of living in different countries.
Tip #3: You’ll need three one-page recommendations, so reach out to your recommenders well in advance to ensure they have enough time to submit before the deadline.
Step 5️⃣: Submit Your Application
Once everything is ready, submit your application! Best of luck! Then, wait eagerly for news of whether you’ve made it as a semi-finalist (typically announced by late February) and, if you're lucky, as a finalist (chosen by late March).
Step 6️⃣: Interview Preparation
If you're selected as a finalist, get ready for the interview! In my experience, it wasn’t too difficult. You just need to be able to clearly explain your project, why you’re passionate about it, and demonstrate your commitment to public service. For some great interview tips, check out my favorite resources here.
Step 7️⃣: (If) You’re a Winner...
Congratulations! Typically, you’ll receive half of your funding at the start of your project, and the second half will be sent once you submit a mid-year project update. You’ll also need to submit a final update at the end of your project. Be sure to document your expenses against your budget and take plenty of photos to share.
Why You Should Apply for the SHPSA:
🌟 Flexibility: The SHPSA has a broad definition of public service, which means you can use the funds for any type of service project anywhere in the world. Many other grants have more restrictive guidelines, but this one encourages you to think creatively about how you can make a difference. Also, the Foundation offering the Award allows you to apply the grant towards your travel, housing, or food in addition to your project-related expenses.
🌟 Leadership Development: Similar to my Davis Projects for Peace experience, pursuing my year of public service significantly honed my leadership and project management skills, including budgeting, problem-solving, and collaboration. Overall, this opportunity boosted my confidence in my ability to create meaningful change!
🌟 Supportive Community: The Foundation behind the SHPSA is highly supportive and fosters a sense of community that goes beyond simply awarding funds. Their approach makes the entire experience feel special.
I highly encourage you to apply. If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out. Best of luck, and I can’t wait to hear about your project!
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