Guidelines

The Cornell Civic Leaders Fellowship Program invites 2 community leaders involved in economic and community development efforts to join the Cornell community as both learners and teachers for an academic year. The program will award $5,000 to each selected fellow. Selection of fellows will be based on applicants’ experiences and their project  proposals, rather than on their educational backgrounds.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Prior record of economic or community development and/or prior history of community involvement.
  • A history of involvement or interest in developing relationships with university students.
  • Residence in Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Seneca, Schuyler, Tioga or Tompkins County.

Research Involving Human Subjects

The University Committee on Human Subjects (UCHS) exists as a safeguard to promote ethical and responsible treatment of human subjects/participants in research. As the institution's official Institutional Review Board (IRB), all research projects that use human subjects –regardless of the source of funding must be reviewed and approved by the UCHS before the investigator may commence the study. The UCHS has attempted to provide a  comprehensive, yet easy-to-navigate guidance on the policies/procedures regarding working with human subjects and the UCHS.

A selection committee consisting of faculty, university administrators, previous fellows and community leaders will review all complete applications. Proposals should be brief and include the following in the order stated:

  • A cover page with a brief abstract/summary of your proposal.
  • A project proposal, that includes:
    • a complete description of the project and its objectives.
    • an explanation of how the proposal addresses a community need or problem.
    • an explanation of how the project is linked to both on-campus work and community capacity-building needs. Identification of university resources, staff or departments with which you want to interact.
    • evidence of community support for the project (e.g. a letter of support).
    • method or criteria by which project will be evaluated and a plan for disseminating results of the project to the community.
  • A personal statement demonstrating; history of community involvement; how this experience will affect the applicant; or how this experience will affect the organization.
  • A current résumé and 3 references.
  • In addition to a hard copy application, we ask that an electronic version of the application be submitted to ljv1@cornell.edu by August 1.

Upon selection, all fellows must be available to:

  • Attend an awards dinner with program advisory and selection committee members and university faculty time and location TBD.
  • Attend an orientation that includes meeting with library and Cornell Information Technologies (CIT) staff, university faculty and others as relevant to proposal.
  • Complete a Cornell application for employment, W-2's and an I-9 form for Cornell University.
  • As appropriate, serve as an occasional guest lecturer in courses and colloquia.
  • Commit to being on campus a minimum of one day a month from September 2008-May 2009 to meet with the PSC's Assistant Director for Community Programs.
  • Present a progress report at the Faculty Fellows-In-Service (FFIS) symposium, location and date TBD in the spring of 2009.
  • Sign a Letter of Agreement in regard to the above expectations and requirements.

Fellowship Benefits/Privileges

  • $5,000 that can support travel, housing, sabbatical leave expenses and community project expenses or sponsoring agency support (award is not tax-exempt).
  • Affiliation with Cornell Public Service Center and the Department of Policy Analysis and Management.
  • Orientation to Cornell University and its resources; access to university libraries.
  • Assignment of Cornell net ID (for e-mail and access to Cornell electronic resources).
  • Limited support from and interaction with faculty, undergraduates and/or university staff.
  • Access to University Human Resource workshops.
  • 2 Visitor parking permits per month.
  • Assignment of one Federal Work-Study student to assist with the project at no cost to the fellow or the organization.


Submit completed applications by August 1, 2008 to:

Leonardo Vargas-Mendez

Executive Director
Cornell Public Service Center
200 Barnes Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-1601

In addition to a hard copy application, we ask that an electronic version of the application be submitted to ljv1@cornell.edu. For further information, contact: ljv1@cornell.edu or 607-255-1148.