Apply Here!
Deadline: Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
The Experiential Learning Award (ELA) provides money for UC Davis undergraduate students participating in unpaid experiential learning (internships, undergraduate research, many forms of community service, etc.). If you're participating in one of these experiences and are in need of financial support, this opportunity is for you!
Not sure if the experience you are participating in would meet the definition of experiential learning? Contact Career Center Assistant Director Ken Barnes, klbarnes@ucdavis.edu.
Funding for this program will be approximately $4,500, comes from a variety of sources, and provides financial support for those engaged in the following types of positions:
- Community service
- Experiences that serve the Chi/Lax community
- Experiences that support your career development (regardless of industry of interest, for profit, non-profit or government)
Preference will be given to applications with the following:
- Description of how, without this funding, the applicant would likely not be able to participate in the experiential learning opportunity they have identified. If this is your situation, be sure to mention it in your application!
- Articulation of the connection between the experiential learning position and applicant’s personal, academic, and/or career goals.
- Identification of the impact the applicant hopes to make through their engagement in the experiential learning activity.
- Applicants who have secured experiential learning positions and fully describe the positions in the ELA application. If you are in the process of applying for positions, there will be a place in the ELA application to share that as well.
- A minimum of 20 scheduled hours per week for the duration of the two summer sessions. Please note: opportunities of fewer than an average of 20 hours per week and multiple short-term experiences may be considered, but will not be prioritized. If your ELO is close to 20 hours per week, we encourage you to apply.
ELA funding cannot be used for summer session fees, and requires students to participate in a weekly professional development seminar during both summer sessions (Fridays, 12:10 - 1 PM pacific time via Zoom). The seminar is intended to offer support and help recipients make the most of their experiences. Topics will include professional communication in the workplace, building a professional network, and other topics designed to clarify career goals and set ELA recipients up for success. Transcript Notation will also be required.
This program is open to all UC Davis undergraduate students returning in the fall of 2025 for instruction.
Immigration status is not a factor to receive an Experiential Learning Award. All are encouraged to apply regardless of status.
Elements of the application:
- General information (name etc.)
- Short answer questions on topics including:
- Name and description of experiential learning position and connection to personal, academic, and/or career goals
- Intended impact of experience on others
Deadline to submit application: Thursday, April 3, 2025.
If you have questions, contact Ken Barnes at klbarnes@ucdavis.edu