Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize (Nominate a Social Change Agent for $100,000 Prize)

Grinnell Prize:
Nominations

Program(s) Offered: Innovative idea
Program Level: Contest
Provider: Grinnell College
Country to Study in: USA

Programme Description
Since 2011 the Grinnell Prize has exemplified Grinnell College’s commitment to supporting and inspiring innovative social change makers throughout the world. With the creation of the Grinnell Prize, the College is extending its educational mission beyond the campus and alumni community to individuals anywhere who believe innovative social justice programs create a better world.

All of the individuals who have successfully won the prize in the past saw a particular need, designed creative and socially just solutions to address that need, and were able to make a tangible impact through their hard work and dedication.

Through student internships and staff fellowships, student and staff members have the opportunity to work with the Prize winners and their organizations. Nominations for the 2018 Grinnell College Innovator for Social Justice Prize are now open.

Eligibility
If you know a creative problem solver who meets the nomination criteria below, please submit the online nomination form by the deadline date announced below.

Nomination Criteria:

1. Nominee(s) must be nominated by a third party.
2. Nominee(s) must consent to their nomination. This consent must be given in the form of a letter (if you are nominating two individuals for collaborative work this letter should come from the two jointly) that will be uploaded to the nomination form and must include:
   
   1. A statement indicating the nominee(s) willingness to be nominated for this prize;
   2. A statement indicating confirmation that the nominee(s) will have completed an undergraduate degree between the years of 2001-2017;
   3. A brief (1-2 paragraph) description of the nominee(s) social justice work – in their own words. Please have the nominee describe the need they are addressing, how they designed creative and socially just solutions to address that need, and how they were able to make a tangible impact.
3. Nominee(s) must have earned a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) between 2002 and 2018.
4. Nominee(s) should be a force for social justice. They should have identified a concrete social justice need, designed creative and socially just solutions to address that need, and made a substantive impact through their hard work and dedication.
5. Nominee(s) should have demonstrated the essence of Grinnell College’s broad liberal arts education through serving the common good and demonstrating expertise in the areas of critical thinking, innovative problem solving, and measurable systemic change making.
6. Nominee(s) must not be widely known outside their immediate community or field.
7. Nominees may be nationals of any country.
8. Nominees do not need to be affiliated with Grinnell College.
9. Nominee(s) must have sufficient English fluency to engage with the Grinnell College Community.
10. Nominee(s) must be able to provide in English any supplemental information required as part of the selection process.

Selection Process:
The College does not have in mind one specific definition of social justice; instead, the College recognizes that there is more than one definition for social justice and it should be interpreted broadly. For purposes of administering the Prize, it would be up to the nominator (ideally, in collaboration with the nominee) to make the case as to how his or her nominee effects positive social change. Through thoughtful deliberation and consensus, the Prize Selection Committee will determine whether an individual is effecting positive social change in an innovative way that he or she should be recognized as a force for social justice.

Eligible groups
Citizens of ALL countries

Participating Institutions
Grinnell College, Grinnell, Iowa, USA

Fields of study
Innovative social changes and innovative social justice programs to solve particular needs in the society. Nominator/Nominee Focus Areas include Agriculture, Food; Animal Related; Arts, Culture, and Media; Buiness; etc . For the complete Focus Areas, click here.

Number of awards
Grinnell College reserves the right to modify the number of prizes awarded annually based on, but not limited to, the quality of nominations and financial considerations

Scholarship benefits
The value of the award is $100,000.

Winners of the Prize become part of a network of passionate visionaries who are both effecting change themselves and inspiring future generations to do the same.

There is an annual on-campus symposium and award ceremony to maximize Prize winners’ interaction with the College community, and there are exciting opportunities to further partner with winners to offer student internships, teach short courses, or collaborate on course materials.

Method of Application
If you know a creative problem solver who meets the nomination criteria set out above, please submit the 2018 online nomination form. The nomination form includes three essays that will be used to evaluate the nominee(s) ability to

1. Identify pressing social justice needs and utilize critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve issues related to that need.
2. Be innovative and socially just in the design and implementation of their solutions.
3. Demonstrate their solution’s current and potential social justice impact.

The essay questions are as follows: (Answers to these essays must be in English.)

1. Describe the social justice need(s) that the nominee(s) is addressing and how the nominee(s) has demonstrated the skills of critical thinking and creative problem solving in solving issues related to this need. (2000 character maximum)
2. Describe how the nominee’(s) is innovative in designing and implementing socially just solutions that address the need noted in question 1 above. Articulate how the nominee’(s) work is distinguishable from others doing similar work. (2000 character maximum)
3. Describe the current and potential impact of the nominee’(s) work as it relates to the need noted question 1 above. Articulate both the quality and/or quantity of the impact. Provide concrete evidence, when possible. (1750 character maximum)

It is important to read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and also to visit the official website (link to it is below) for complete information.

DEADLINES:
Nominations for the 2018 Grinnell Prize are open from July 15 until October 9, 2017 at 11:59pm CST

PLEASE NOTE:
Grinnell College is a private liberal arts college in Grinnell, Iowa, U.S. known for its rigorous academics and tradition of social responsibility. It was founded in 1846, when a group of New England Congregationalists established the Trustees of Iowa College.

Application Deadline: 9 October 2017
Open to International Applicants: Yes

More Scholarship Information and Application

Related: International Contests for International Students