Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships

The Wisconsin Idea is a tradition of service that originated with University leaders over 100 years ago when they declared, "the boundaries of the campus are the boundaries of the state." Today, the Wisconsin Idea calls us to extend our boundaries beyond the state to the global community.

Since 1999 the Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships (WIF) have provided opportunities for UW-Madison students to reach out, share their expertise, serve the community and learn outside the classroom.

These fellowships support innovative projects where undergraduate students, faculty/ instructional staff and community organizations collaborate in service activities and/or research designed to meet a community need while enhancing student learning.

WIF Information Sessions

Students who would like to learn more about the WIF program should attend an information session in November or December. The WIF information sessions will occur:

• Monday, November 16 : 6 -7 p.m. in the Red Gym, Mezzanine AB
• Tuesday, November 17: 5 -6 p.m. in the Morgridge Center for Public Service
• Tuesday, December 1: 4:30 -5:30 p.m. in the Morgridge Center for Public Service

Past Projects Examples

• The Kelly Nachreiner Donor Education Project: the design and evaluation of an educational module on organ donation for driver's education programs throughout the state
• Youth Spotlight Project: created an emotionally supportive after school reading and writing club for 5th grade girls.
• Village Health Projects: Build water filters in Uganda to address health and safety of rural villages

Past Projects Full Descriptions

• 1999-00 Projects
• 2000-01 Projects
• 2001-02 Projects
• 2002-03 Projects
• 2003-04 Projects
• 2004-05 Projects
• 2005-06 Projects
• 2006-07 Projects
• 2007-08 Projects
• 2008-09 Projects
• 2009-10 Projects

Program Specifics

Undergraduate students with at least sophomore standing* submit a project proposal (five double-spaced pages) that focuses on addressing a need identified by the community. Project areas include (but are not limited to) community development, health related issues, economic development, the arts, education, environmental issues, criminal justice, hunger and poverty alleviation, etc.

Examples of community organizations include private nonprofit organizations, government agencies, the K-12 school system, and business and trade organizations working on issues like those listed above.

Proposals may address a community need anywhere in the world. While many past projects have focused on the Madison/Dane County area, others have addressed community issues in other parts of Wisconsin, other states and South Africa.

*students must maintain their undergraduate status throughout the implementation of the project.

Academic Credit
Students awarded a Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowship receive three (3) academic credits of directed study, supervised research or senior thesis.

Financial Support
Academic Year $3,000
Semester $1,500
Summer $1,000
Summer & Fall $2,500
Group Project $5,000 ($2,500 for summer-only)

Faculty/instructional staff and the community organizations working with the student(s) each receive $1,000 ($500 for summer only projects) to help defray project costs.

WIF Application Form and Instruction Sheet can be found here and here.

Frequently Asked Questions can be found here.
Sample WIF Budgets and application tips can be found here.

Sample WIF Proposals can be found here and here.

Resources for Human Subjects Review Process by can be found here.

Experience The Benefits
Employers are looking for college graduates with experience as well as expertise. With the Wisconsin Idea Undergraduate Fellowships, you can:

• Directly address community issues
• Gain community-based research experience
• Share your knowledge and expertise
• Develop campus and community contacts
• Enhance your interpersonal skills
• Become an engaged citizen
• Expand the Wisconsin Idea

Application Timeline
WIF applications are now available!  The application deadline is February 12, 2010 at 5 PM. No late applications will be accepted!  Accepted projects will start the following academic year, and may begin as early as June 2010. Fellowships will be awarded the week of March 22, 2010. Applications can be downloaded at the above link, or picked up in person at the following locations:

Office of the Associate Vice Chancellor
117 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706

Morgridge Center for Public Service
154 Red Gym
716 Langdon Street
Madison, WI 53706

For answers to any questions or information about community organizations contact:
Elizabeth Tryon, Community Based Learning Coordinator
608-8900-3334
etryon@wisc.edu