Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award Guidelines

The Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award recognizes and honors Cornell students for their outstanding humanitarian efforts. In addition, the award provides support for students’ projects addressing a community’s social needs.

Awards of $1,500 each will be made to three students at Cornell for use in community-service activities as directed by the recipients. A total of $4,500 will be distributed. The focus of an applicant’s efforts may be the Cornell campus, the Ithaca community, or a location outside Tompkins County (but within the United States and its territories.

Students are to apply for the awards, and members of the wider community are invited to encourage students to apply directly. Letters of recommendation and application forms are available at the Public Service Center in 200 Barnes Hall (255-1148) and at the Office of the Cornell Tradition in 103 Day Hall (255-8595). Completed applications, including a letter of recommendation must be received by 4:00 p.m. on the third Friday of March in the Public Service Center, 200 Barnes Hall to be eligible for the award. Semifinalists must be available to attend a 20-minute interview between 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the third Friday in April, as well as the award dinner from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. that evening.

The Award will be granted on the basis of:

  1. The candidate’s proposal to use the award money for an innovative approach to a social, governmental, or legal problem within a community. This effort should demonstrate the student’s initiative and ability to translate ideas into the practical result of meeting community needs. Projects should not be part of academic coursework, dissertation research, or for academic credit, but may be an outgrowth of previous work or course experience. Proposals should include a timeline for completion, plans for evaluation, and a budget outline. All applications must be accompanied by supporting documentation and/or a letter of recommendation from agency personnel or a member of Cornell’s faculty or staff.
  2. To better judge the student’s capability of carrying out the project, the committee needs an understanding of previous ability of outstanding humanitarian service during the preceding twelve-month period. The service experience may be in any field: for example, with on-campus organizations such as EARS, or Into the Streets; with local organizations serving a particular clientele such as the disabled or elderly, people who are homeless, prisoners, or at-risk youth; or with national efforts such as those that improve the environment, promote justice, or work for conflict resolution.

Important Dates

All letters of recommendation and application forms must be received by the third Friday in March. Send all required forms and information to the Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award Committee, Public Service Center, 200 Barnes Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-1601.

Interviews will be held the third Friday in April. Semifinalists must be available to attend a 20-minute interview between 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the third Friday in April, as well as the award dinner from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. that evening.


Download a printable version of the forms (Adobe PDF):  
Letter of Recommendation Form
Application Form

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the Cornell Public Service Center at (607) 255-1148.