Davis Projects for Peace
The application for summer 2013 projects is now closed.
(Deadline: Friday, December 7, 2012.)
Congratulations to the 2013 prize winners! Read the proposals:
- Julu Katticaran '15 - La Esperanza: Facilitating Economic Opportunity at the Cusco Prison (Peru)
- Asmod Karki '16 and Ari Satok '14 - Computer Education and Creative Arts for Peace (Nepal)
- Azza Cohen '16, Katherine Horvath '15, Elizabeth Martin '14, and Shaina Watrous '14 - Specks of Dust: Documenting the Fight Against Human Trafficking (India)
Program Description
Davis Projects for Peace (2011 Photos) is an invitation to undergraduates at American colleges and universities in the Davis United World College Scholars Program (of which Princeton is one) to design their own grassroots projects for peace that they themselves will implement in the summer of 2013. Through a competition on over 90 campuses, the most promising and achievable projects will be selected for funding at $10,000 each. The Princeton University Davis Projects for Peace competition is coordinated by the Pace Center for Civic Engagement.
Davis Projects for Peace is made possible by Kathryn W. Davis, a lifelong internationalist and philanthropist. On her 100th birthday in February 2007, Mrs. Davis, mother of Shelby M. C. Davis, who funds the Davis UWC Scholars Program, chose to celebrate by committing $1 million for one hundred Projects for Peace. “I want to use my 100th birthday to help young people launch some immediate initiatives…that will bring new thinking to the prospects of peace in the world," said Mrs. Davis. She believes that today’s youth—tomorrow’s leaders—ought to be challenged to formulate and test their own ideas.
What do you mean by "projects for peace?"
Intentionally, no clear definition is offered so as not to limit the imagination. We leave it up to the students to define what a “project for peace” might be. We hope to encourage creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship. The overall program is to be worldwide in scope and impact, including in the U.S. (Please note: University policy does not permit students to travel to places on the U.S. State Department Travel Warning list.)
Who is eligible to design a "project for peace?"
All undergraduate students enrolled at Princeton (including seniors who would complete their projects after graduation) are eligible. Groups of students from the same campus, as well as individual students, may submit proposals. You do not need to be a UWC Scholar to be eligible.
How does the funding for these projects work?
Mrs. Davis has committed $1 million to fund projects for peace in 2013, with Davis funding limited to $10,000 per project. Given the substantial and generous amount of this funding, it is anticipated project costs will be adequately covered to implement and complete your project during the summer.
Please note: While Princeton University cannot give tax advice to students, applicants should understand that the $10,000 grant may be counted as taxable income in 2013 for winning students. Applicants should prepare their budgets accordingly.
How does a student (or group of students) make a proposal?
To be considered, a student (or group of students) must complete an online application by Friday, December 7, 2012 which includes preparing a written statement describing the project (who, what, where, how) including expected outcomes and prospects for future impact (not to exceed two pages) as well as a budget (one separate page).
Final proposals will reflect feedback from the review committe and should include pre-approval of all involved parties and organizations involved in the project.
Students are strongly encouraged to schedule a meeting with the Pace Center to discuss their proposed projects, prior to submitting their applications with the Pace Center. Contact Pace at pace@princeton.edu or 609-258-7260.
How are these proposals submitted and judged?
A campus committee will evaluate the preliminary applications and the final project proposals and will select finalists to submit to the Davis family. Final review and approval of all recommended proposals from individual campuses rests solely with the office of the Davis UWC Scholars Program, which will then forward the appropriate grant funds for winning project(s) to Princeton to be distributed by the Pace Center to the student winners.
What is the timeline for the 2013 Projects for Peace process at Princeton?
- Friday, December 7, 2012: All applications submitted online to Pace Center
- Monday, December 10, 2012: Applications forwarded to campus review and selection committee
- Tuesday, December 11, 2012: Committee meets to review and rank
- Wednesday - Friday (December 12-14, 2012): Selected applicants are interviewed on-campus by committee
- Mid-December: Selected applicants are notified of decision to move forward
- Late December - Early January: Students revise and prepare final proposals to submit to Pace Center
- Mid January: Students submit final proposal to Pace Center
- Late January: Project proposals submitted by Pace Center to Davis UWC Scholars office
- Early March 2013: Final decisions on winning proposal rendered by Davis UWC Scholars office and announced to Pace Center
- Late March 2013: Signed grant payment forms due to Pace Center
- April 2013: Grant funds distributed to students
- Summer 2013: Projects implemented and completed
- September 6, 2013, 12 Noon: Drafts of final reports due to Pace Center for review
- Friday, September 13, 2013, 5PM EST: Final reports due to Pace Center for submission to Davis UWC Scholars office
What is required for each project’s final report?
The responsible student(s) for each funded project must prepare and electronically submit a draft of their report to the Pace Center for review by September 6, 2013. The final report will be sent by the Pace Center to the Davis UWC Scholars Office by Friday, September 13, 2013. The final report should be limited to two pages of narrative using the final report form posted on the Davis Projects for Peace website. The final report will also include an additional one-page accounting of the funds expended. Students must submit at least three digital photos with their two-page final report. Reports will be posted on the Davis and Pace Center programs' website for all to see and learn from.
For more information on Davis Projects for Peace:http://www.davisprojectsforpeace.org/