Application Process

Students apply to receive Sandy Maisel Internship Grants through DavisConnects. Applications that align with the purpose of the Sandy Maisel Student Grants are in turn forwarded to the Goldfarb Center for review and an award decision. Students receiving internship grants will be named Sandy Maisel Student Fellows for the academic year in which their work is completed and should include that designation on all work that results from this grant. Recipients are required to submit a brief report following completion of the internship summarizing the experience, as well as a detailed report of all expenses paid for by the grant money (including copies of receipts organized by date) must be submitted. Additionally, Sandy Maisel Student Fellows are expected to attend Goldfarb Center events throughout the year regularly.

Application Process

Applicants wishing to be considered for a Sandy Maisel Internship Grant will complete 3 application components:

1. Prepare and submit a General Application Part 1 through DavisConnects. 

2. Prepare and submit a General Application Part 2 through DavisConnects.

3. Prepare and submit a short, supplementary essay-style application through DavisConnects that becomes available upon submission of the General Application Part 2 and includes the following prompts:

1. What specific topics or issues in the fields of policy, politics, journalism, or public affairs interest you and how do you hope this internship will help you deepen your understanding of these topics/issues? (Please answer in approximately 150 words)
2. Please tell us about some of your current goals for personal or professional growth and how you hope this internship will serve those goals. (Please answer in approximately 150 words.)
3. What coursework, co-curricular, extra-curricular, or job-related activities of yours (if any) do you feel you bring as an asset to this experience and why? Alternatively, you may also use this space to describe a personal experience (in the classroom, at Colby, in your community, or from any other setting) that you feel has given you an valuable insight that you can bring to this experience. Please describe the experience, the insight, and why you feel it has value. (Please answer in approximately 150 words.)
4. In one or two sentences, what advice would you give your future self about how you want to make the most of the opportunity you’ve described? How would you coach yourself to be ready to take on the hopes and goals you have shared?  
5. (Optional): Is there anything else you’d like to share with the selection committee that you feel is important to its evaluation of your application? 

Note: Applicants should also be prepared to submit a resume, a copy of their transcript, and the name of one faculty reference.

Summer ’26 Funding Cycle Deadlines and Dates:

• Application Opens: Monday, March 16 @ 12:00 AM
• Application Closes: Thursday, April 2 @ 11:59 PM
• Award Notifications: Wednesday, April 22
• Fund Disbursement Requirements: May 22

For questions about the grant process, contact Scott Lamer at [email protected].

For all other questions, contact Goldfarb Center Deputy Director Erica Buswell at [email protected]

Students receiving research grants will be named Sandy Maisel Student Fellows for the academic year in which their work is completed and should include that designation on all work that results from this grant. Sandy Maisel Student Fellows are expected to attend Goldfarb Center events throughout the year on a regular basis.

Application Process

Sandy Maisel Research Grant application and funding cycles track with DavisConnects process for funding research and other independent studies. Students will submit a general application as well as a supplemental application that responds to the following questions:

1. What specific topics or issues in the fields of policy, politics, journalism, or public affairs interest you and how do you hope this research project will help you deepen your understanding of these topics/issues? (Please answer in approximately 150 words)
2. Provide a brief abstract describing the project. (Essay)
3. Research Design Proposal (Essay responses to all):
   1. Describe the specific research question(s) to be examined.
   2. Provide a brief literature review (consult with your faculty sponsor for examples relevant to your field) that indicates the significance of your research questions.
   3. Describe the methodology, including a clear indication of how data will be gathered and how variables will be defined.
   4. Please provide evidence that you have the skills necessary to gather the information in this way, usually indicated by significant coursework. Please cite relevant classes.
   5. If the project involves research in a foreign country, indicate and identify local contacts with whom you will work and locations of source material. If this is not applicable please write “NA.”
   6. What is your timeline for data-gathering and writing?

5. (Optional): Is there anything else you’d like to share with the selection committee that you feel is important to its evaluation of your application?

Note: Applicants should also be prepared to submit a copy of their transcript.

Summer ’26 Funding Cycle Deadlines and Dates:

• Application Opens: Monday, March 16 @ 12:00 AM
• Application Closes: Thursday, April 2 @ 11:59 PM
• Award Notifications: Wednesday, April 22
• Fund Disbursement Requirements: May 22

For questions about the grant process, contact Scott Lamer at [email protected].

For all other questions, contact Goldfarb Center Deputy Director Erica Buswell at [email protected]