If you have a plan to spread peace by improving the lives of others in any part of the world, this grant is for you!
I first heard about the Davis Projects for Peace (DPP) Grant in December 2016. I was immediately interested in applying because of the freedom given to winners to pursue virtually any service project in any part of the world (including the USA!). I was blessed to win this grant in 2017 and complete my project that same year in Accra, Ghana. The application process for my school was very simple and straightforward; I have outlined the steps below:
Step 1️⃣: Check if your school is one of the 99 U.S. colleges and universities in the Davis UWC Scholars Program here.
Step 2️⃣: Read the frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the DPP website to familiarize yourself with the mission of the organization, eligibility, and application instructions here.
Step 3️⃣: Create a general plan of how you plan to use $10,000 to change the world.
Step 4️⃣: Reach out to your Campus Liaison or Career Office, as direct communication with the DPP organization is prohibited.
Step 5️⃣: If the deadline has not yet passed and you are eligible, you'll likely be asked by your campus liaison to prepare and submit a formal proposal and a budget/expense report, along with a resume and recommendations.
Tip #1: In your proposal, highlight your familiarity with the problem you want to solve and discuss the ingenuity of how your proposed solution (remember, peace is not just the absence of war). FAQs on the DPP website also has some great information, click here to view.
Tip #2: For the budget, remember you can use part of the award to cover your living expenses, but the expectation is that you use most of the money for the project. Websites like Numbeo can help you estimate the cost of living in different countries.
Step 6️⃣: Submit your application (all the best!!)
Step 7️⃣: If you are selected, you will likely be notified in early spring
Step 8️⃣: Hopefully, you will be able to keep your excitement until your project start date in the summer! Make sure to document your expenses well and take lots of good pictures (you are required to submit at least 3 photos to DPP).
Step 9️⃣: Once your project is completed, submit a final reflection, pictures, and expense report to DPP through your liaison. Your project might even be featured in the annual report. I was fortunate to have mine included on page 27 of the 2017 report!
What I love about the DPP and why you should apply:
🌟This opportunity really challenges you to think about peace differently. After the summer I completed the DPP project, I began to understand that peace is not just the absence of war but also includes the protection of the most vulnerable in our society.
🌟Additionally, the leadership skills I gained while working on my DPP were invaluable!!
Completing my project allowed me to be more confident in my ability to come up with solutions to social problems, manage a budget, and work with others to deliver results.
🌟Lastly, I had the freedom to use the money for anything I needed for my project, including my travel expenses, housing costs, food, and direct project expenses!
I highly encourage you to apply; if you have any questions or feedback, find my contact details here and shoot me a message. All the best!
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