Student Opportunities

The Stephenson Institute Student Support Grants

One of the functions of the Stephenson Institute for Classical Liberalism is to provide financial and logistic support to students, student-groups, and related organizations at Wabash College that seek to develop innovative extra- and co-curricular programs that advance and promote the mission of the Institute to curate informed inquiry into the nature, operations, potentials and limits of a free society.

Supported student and organizational work may be from any individual student or student group and focused upon any topic or thematic issue that directly addresses questions and topics related to individual liberty, personal responsibility, private property rights, and the intellectual history surrounding the normative and practical operations of a free society broadly construed and described on the “About Us” link of the Stephenson Institute’s homepage.

The available support grants can vary in financial amount and the duration of work involved. Possible projects include, but are in no way limited to the following: visiting-speakers, debates, receptions, conference registration fees, travel funds, or any other student extra- or co-curricular opportunity that synergizes with the Institute’s purpose. Funding allocation is intentionally open-ended to allow for and encourage innovative and experimental program initiatives. When in doubt please apply, all are welcome.

Proposals will be reviewed by the Stephenson Institute steering committee and director. Applications are perpetually open and reviewed on a rolling basis as long as dedicated annual funds remain.

At the conclusion of any supported project, the awarded student or group will submit a brief report of the work accomplished.

To apply for a student support grant, please send the following materials to Stephenson_Institute@wabash.edu.

1. Letter of request explaining the project title and description, including the duration, the goals of the project, program, or event for the student group and the broader Wabash community. The cover letter should clearly explain how the request relates and fits within the topical research themes of interest to the Stephenson Institute’s mission. Again, please refer to the “About Us” link on our homepage. And describe the proposed location, attendance and estimated campus interest in the event and themes involved.

If a speaker has a long and established career of output, it is helpful to explain clearly what specific topic and theme the proposed event will focus upon.

2. Budget proposal that itemizes how various portions of funding will be spent and makes note of any additional funding support currently approved of and or being sought after from other funding sources. Will the event or program be able to proceed if the amount provided by the Institute is less than requested?

Some additional things for individual students or student groups to keep in mind when drafting their proposals.

If the proposal involves funding for a guest speaker, the student must inquire from the proposed speaker if they coordinate their visits by means of a promotional agency. Be sure to provide the contact information for said agency, and communicate any and all contractual requirements that said agency may insist upon within your proposal.

Key items of such speaker contracts to look out for and communicate as early as possible may entail: preferred honorarium amounts, travel requirements that may entail expenses beyond standard coach fares, and required security needs.

In the event that a speaker’s contract requires a security detail, the requesting student or group is responsible to gain clearance and approval through the relevant campus services prior to the Institute’s ability to pledge financial support for the event. In other words, the policies and procedures of campus facilities in terms of both space availability and security protocols take precedence over the Institute’s ability to financially support such programs. We cannot commit funding support until it is certain that the campus can logistically accommodate the size, scale and or scheduling of a particular program or event.