RDL Student Fellows Program

Do you have an innovative idea that will help solve a democratic problem? Submit your proposal here and if accepted, the RDL will fund your concept!

APPLY HERE. Note: to access the form, you must already be logged into your Rutgers account on the browser.

Is there a problem in our democracy you are passionate about? Do you have a solution in mind that requires funding, research, or support? Students from all disciplines, working individually or with others, are encouraged to submit a proposal for how you would solve a major issue in our democracy.

Project formats and work products can take many forms, including but not limited to:

Qualitative/quantitative research (any research involving human subjects requires IRB review and approval and faculty supervision)
Educational modules/toolkits
Training programs/workshops
Podcasts
Social media content
Ted Talk-style programs

Depending upon the type of project, selected RDL Fellows are required to produce a set of deliverables, including:

Work products that can be featured on the RDL website (e.g., report, article, white paper, explainer videos, webinar)
Participation at an RDL symposium at which you share your work.
Social media content documenting the work taking place.
Syllabi, course content, or programming materials from RDL-sponsored projects.

Need Inspiration?

Consider the following examples (applicants are encouraged to be creative so long as ideas fall within the RDL’s inaugural theme):

Creating and implementing a video game that will increase civics knowledge for middle school children.
Creating and implementing a student-led podcast to increase awareness of societal issues impacting young voters.
Designing a digital campaign that encourages respectful dialogue and can be featured on RDL’s social media channels.
Launching a public art campaign highlighting the power of people in directing change.
Producing a guide/manual on best practices for using social media for social good or etiquette for constructive engagement on social media platforms.
Pursuing research on effective voter mobilization techniques.
Proposing a technology advancement or solution that will have implications for democratic processes.
Creating an educational program to address societal challenges like climate change or health crises.
Developing a scientific literacy module that allows users to develop a great understanding of the importance of science in shaping democratic decisions and building trust in scientific institutions.

Proposal Submission Requirements

We encourage student submissions from all academic disciplines and campuses across Rutgers University. Students/teams must submit the following in one document (pdf or word):

Resume for each student involved in the project
Proposal addressing the following areas (3 pages maximum):
- Project overview: What problem are you trying to solve and how might you solve it?
- Statement of the problem: what issue/challenge will this project attempt to solve and why?
- Project timeline and implementation: How long will it take to implement (one semester or two?) and what steps are necessary to complete the project?
- Deliverables: what will be the output of this project? See examples above.
- Impact: What impact do you foresee as a result of the project?
Budget (Excel spreadsheet): Students may request up to $10,000 dollars to fund a project. Line items can include, but are not limited to:
- Stipend(s) to compensate student(s) for time spent on the project. For example, student fellows might receive a $2,000 total stipend for 10 hours of work each week spent on the project for the duration of semester
- Software expenses
- Equipment
- Event costs (food, event space)
- Printed materials
- Supplies
- Travel Costs
- Faculty supervisor stipend (up to $2,500 per semester to provide guidance and project support)
- Budget Justification: a short narrative should accompany the budget, outlining rationale behind each budget line item.

**Please note that all projects require a Rutgers faculty or staff supervisor. If you do not have a supervisor secured for your project, the RDL will try to pair you with someone.