Instructions/Application Process Community Engagement ☰ Menu Volunteer/Engagement Opportunities Events/Professional Development Certified Nonprofit Professional Service-Learning expand or collapse menu Service-Learning Leaders Project Here Course Designation Service-Learning Institute Honors & Awards Newsletter & Podcast Strategic Planning Community Engagement Database UNI Centers & External Partnerships Staff & Contact Submit to: Koob Fund, c/o Kristina Kofoot at kristina.kofoot@uni.edu or to WRC 203 A typed application is required. Applications that do not meet application guidelines will not be considered. For internships occurring in Spring 2024, the application deadline is November 15, 2023, by 5 p.m. For internships occurring in summer/fall 2024, the application deadline is: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 5 p.m. Finding an internship: Students should work with their academic advisor and/or the Cooperation Education & Internships Program (273-6041) to find a suitable location for an internship. Internships must also be approved by the student’s academic adviser. Students may apply for one semester of support at a time. Awards up to $2,000 for undergraduate students and up to $3,000 for graduate students Students who have received an award once may apply in future cycles. If re-applying, students should describe what they accomplished during the previous period(s) in which they received Koob funds. Final Reporting/Agreements: Reporting: Both the student and the organization are expected to provide short reports describing the internship outcomes near the completion of the internship. Agreements: Organizational and student expectations should be negotiated through the academic department through which the student is gaining academic credit. Apply for Koob Fund Agency/Organization Qualifications Sites: 501(c)3 non-profit organizations (other organizations may contact the committee chair to discuss eligibility) City, county, state and federal governmental agencies One of UNI’s outreach programs (e.g., Institute for Decision Making, Regional Business Center, Iowa Waste Reduction Center, Recycling, Reuse & Technology Transfer Center). Note: the goal of the fund is to support interns whose work has an impact in the community beyond UNI. Religious and faith-based organizations are permitted to apply, as long as the student’s activity is not focused on proselytizing or religious education. Internships to assist candidates who are running for elected office are not appropriate for the fund. Full time AmeriCorps positions receiving a living stipend and Segal Education Award are not eligible for funding Geography: All funds will be allocated to interns in Iowa. Semesters: Internships in summer, fall and spring semesters are eligible. Project Requirements: Among the internship responsibilities, interns are to be responsible for at least one substantial project that benefits the student, the organization and the community through their project. The project should have ongoing value to the organization and community, beyond the time of the student's service to the organization. This project should be described in the application materials. Student Qualifications Year: Available to any UNI undergraduate of at least sophomore classification and any graduate student. Major: Applicants may come from any academic discipline at UNI. Undergraduate Minimum GPA: 2.75 cumulative -- students with lower GPAs may appeal prior to application, email kristina.kofoot@uni.edu. Graduate Minimum GPA: 3.00 in the student’s program of study. Need: Selection is not based on financial need, however, applications will be reviewed to determine if other sources of funding (such as Community Service Learning, pay, etc) are supporting the intern. Students on an internship that aren’t receiving any compensation or support will be considered more than financially supported internships. The committee will not award more than $9.00/hour to undergraduates or $12.00/hour to graduate students when combing all sources of funding (Community Service Learning, pay, Koob Scholarship, etc). Project Requirements: Among the internship responsibilities, interns are to be responsible for at least one substantial project that benefits the student, the organization, and the community through their project. The project should have ongoing value to the organization and community, beyond the time of the student's service to the organization. This project should be described in the application materials. Hour & Credit Requirements: Minimum number of hours per week with the organization (averaged over semester): 10 hours. Maximum number of hours per week with the organization (averaged over semester): 40 hours. Minimum number of academic internship/field experience credit the student must be enrolled in each term (actual course title is dependent on department): 3 hours per semester or a transcript notation through Career Services. Criteria/Selection Committee Interns chosen to receive awards through the Robert and Yvonne Koob Fund for Student Community Engagement will be selected for their potential to benefit the student, the sponsoring organization and the community. Applications are reviewed on the following criteria: 1. Student benefits Skills, knowledge, and professional network that the student will gain, including the ability of the internship to broaden or deepen the student’s skills and knowledge. Alignment of the student’s professional and civic goals with the internship activities, especially the intern’s project. Capacity of the organization to provide a positive learning environment. 2. Organizational & Community Benefits Student’s ability to positively contribute to the work of the organization, especially through the intern’s project. Ability of the organization to create positive community change among the public. Internships should have ongoing value to the organization and community, beyond the time of the student's service to the organization. Outcomes (for community) that will result from student/organization’s efforts, especially through the intern’s project. 3. The committee will review the intern’s project most heavily in the application process therefore, throughout the application the focus should be on the intern’s project. 4. Awardees are selected by a committee of community and university representatives. 5. Committee members sign conflict of interest statements and decline from voting in instances of conflict. For more information, please contact Kristina Kofoot at kristina.kofoot@uni.edu or 319-273-4507.
