The Michael Young Award is an award for IR students, especially first-generation students, who wish to pursue a summer study abroad, internship or supervised research opportunity in Europe. This scholarship awards between $500 to a maximum of $1500 which may be used to assist students in completing research projects, travel and accommodation expenses, or tuition costs.
Eligible topics seeks to explore global challenges, and could range from issues relating to sustainability, health, immigration to security and foreign policy. In order to qualify for funding the internship or project must be an academically approved activity. The application must include a concise proposal letter of outlining the summer study abroad program, internship or research project. If you are applying for summer study abroad funding, you must include proof of admission (i.e. a letter from the instructor of the course), where you will be studying, the number of weeks, and a program description. If you are applying for research funding you must create a research proposal identifying your research question, and you research methods. If you are applying for internship funding you must include where you will be working, the number of weeks and hours per week you will be working, and a job description.
Eligibility Requirements:
GPA of 3.0 or higher
The study abroad program, research, or unpaid internship must be completed before the student graduates from USC Dornsife.
Recipients must be registered for the Fall 2024 term.
Must be either a IR, IRGB, or IRGE major
Must have completed IR 210, and at least one other IR 200 level methods course
Application procedure:
1. Submit a completed application form to Akeya Harmon at akeyahar@usc.edu giving the student’s major, current GPA, and expected graduation date. Components include:
Include a resume or CV (make sure it is up to date and relevant to this Internship application, not a generic version).
Provide a research or study abroad proposal, please note if you have applied to other funding resources.
Study Abroad Proposal: Identify the sponsoring organization, its mission, its address, the name and contact information for the program’s supervisor, the nature of the course, the number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be valuable to enroll in this program.
Research Proposal: Identify the research question and methods used to answer the question. Detail how you will use funding to complete your research. Please include the number of number of weeks and hours per week, and why it would be value to fund your research.
Provide a simple budget showing living expenses and travel to and from the site.
Submit your STARS Report
2. Ask a USC faculty member to submit a Recommendation Document, found here.
(For students applying for Internship support): In order to disburse the award the School will need a letter from the organization offering the internship to the student for the specified period, and agreeing to provide the School with a simple report on the student’s work at the end of the internship. You may submit an application that contains all elements except this letter, and provide the letter if the grant is approved and you decide to accept it.