Apply for College Grants

Grants of up to $350 are available to students, faculty, and staff across the College who need funds for activities that coincide with the Levan Institute's mission. Student groups and student-focused projects are given a strong first priority, as are collaborative efforts across departments and schools. Speakers, workshops, student group activities—if you write it up, we'll consider it. Awarded on a rolling basis. Complete an Application.

Past Levan Campus Grants awarded to:

Shahla Fatemi, funds used to sponsor her attendance at the Clinton Global Initiative U Conference at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Shahla also plans to use her Committment to Action to start rehabilitation programs for those women and girls that have taken to prostitution and sex slavery, either by poverty or force. 

Ross Cohen, Willowbrook director, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. In 1964, a young pediatrician begins his residency at Willowbrook State School, only to discover that the institution is conducting Army-funded experiments on developmentally-disabled children. Willowbrook is a short student film based on true events surrounding the school in Staten Island, New York. It explores the controversial and ethically ambiguous research experiments that took place under Dr. Saul Krugman in the 1960s. Using historical research, the film explores themes of conscience and ethics in addition to personal drive, ego and ambition within the world of scientific study. Click Here to View the Trailer 

Rachel Tobias with TedxTrojans, funds used to print advertising materials for Tedx Event, "Make Your Mark", based on the classic TED Talks, a collection of bright and motivated USC students had the opportunity to present and share their innovative ideas for a brighter future.

Anna Mkhikian with USC Fight On For Darfur, funds used to pay for Derrick Jensen to speak at "Genocide, Why it Happens in a Modernized World", a student run event focusing on questions of genocide, ethics and our role in the world we live.

Rolf Hoefer, Graduate of USC Roski School of Fine Arts, funds used to create the project, "Your Call" a performance art piece aimed at engaging the USC community in questions of personal connections in the digital age and stepping in to help a stranger.

Lee Cerling at the Marshall School of Business, funds used to bring speaker Justin Paperny, USC Alum and now ex-convict to speak to undergraduate studens about "Ethics in Motion" - the many ways in which life in the business world can undermine one's moral and ethical bearings.

Catherine Sullivan, USC Philosophy Club and Alpha Epsilon Delta, funds used for a screening of You Don't Know Jack, based on the real life story of Jack Kevorkian and his work in physician-assisted suicide, followed by a discussion on biomedical ethics led by Professor Shlomo Sher.

Ross Cohen, MFA Film Production Candidate, grant used in the creation of the film, Willowbrook. The fictionalized short film is staffed by volunteer USC filmmakers and is based on the true story of controversial research experiments in the 1950s and 1960s at Willobrook State School in Staten Island, New York - eventually leading to the vaccine for Hepatitis B. Willowbrook "explores themes of ethics, personal drive, ego and ambition within a world of scientific discovery".

Tiffany Scalia, Student Activists for a Beloved Community, grant used to screen the film, Bananas! a story of Nicaraguan farmers fighting the fruit company Dole, in the 1970's. The film was used as a kickoff event for the 1st Annual May Day Festival organized by Student Activists for a Beloved Community and other community organizations.

Chelsea-Anne Cymrot, USC Undergraduate, grant used for "Fat Talk Free Week", an "international Tri Delta outreach program that promotes healthy living, positive body image, and aims to decrease negative language associated with eating disorders." 

Benjamin Stillerman, MFA Film Candidate, grant used in the creation of the film, Gray Noise. This film is set at the Santa Monica 3rd Street Promenade and films everyday peoples' reactions to homeless people in the area. It examines the psychological
 processes
 people
 develop
 which
 allows 
them
 to
 shield
 themselves 
from
 such harsh
 social 
conditions
 while 
they 
continue
 with 
their 
day‐to‐day
 lives.

Click here to see more ethics-related opportunities