Changes to take place in 2014-2015. For more information, contact Laura Di Maio at ion [at] mcgill.ca
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Is there an application fee?
There is no fee for applying.
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Who is eligible to apply?
Fellowships are awarded to graduating students. Undergraduates in their final year are eligible to apply, as are Master’s students who are completing their degrees. Fellows must be 18 to 29 years old at the start of their project.
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What counts as a graduating student?
A graduating student is anyone who will be finishing their degree requirements in the Fall 2013, Winter 2014 or the Summer 2014 semesters. The only restriction is that your classes and thesis papers must be finished and your project begun by mid-September, 2014.
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Is this an internship?
The PFF Community Leadership Program is not an internship, nor may a candidate apply for the program with a specific internship position in mind. Rather, the program aims to empower the student to create their own project.
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Is this a research fellowship?
A PFF Fellowship is neither a research fellowship nor a research grant. However, Fellows may conduct research that would contribute to the success of their action-based projects.
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Are there restrictions on the kind of project I can undertake?
No. Your community project can be based in any discipline or area of interest. However, the project must be realistic, sustainable, have an direct impact on the people of the community, and it must not take place in a country for which the travel advisory level exceeds level 2 (see below).
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Where can the project take place?
The project can take place anywhere in the world, as long as the location meets McGill’s guidelines for international travel. Locations with a Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) travel advisory level of 3 or 4 are not eligible. To check the travel advisory level for different countries and regions, please visit the DFATD website.
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Do I need a local partner for my project?
You will need to provide at least one letter of support from a local organization, group, business or individual who endorses the project and its potential significance to the community. After all, we need to make sure that the project you intend on carrying out will have a lasting positive impact on the community, and that the community sees a need for the work you will be doing.
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What counts as a "community"?
“Community” is what you define it to be; its scope can range from a school to a country. The applicant's project should aim to bring positive and sustainable social change to the people of the chosen community. Part of your application should define the community and how the proposed project will strengthen it as a whole. Your project should be designed to respond to a demonstrated and prioritized need in the community: your aim should not be to create a community or - unwittingly even - impose your own perception of a need within the community. Rather, the project should address an issue that the community has expressed and highlighted as a priority in some way, and this should be reflected in your application.
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What costs can be covered by the Fellowship award?
The award may cover your living and travel expenses, including but not limited to: transportation/travel, housing, food and insurance. It is also meant to cover project-related expenses such as start-up and operational costs.
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Can two students apply as a team?
Yes. Two McGill students can apply as 'co-applicants' as long as they both fit the eligibility criteria. If a team of two apply then the Fellowship will remain $20,000 or $30,000 and split between the team members. In this case, your personal budget could exceed 50% of the total budget and you will need to submit either a combined personal budget or seperate personal budgets, but only one project budget. You will also only need to submit one expert evaluation and receive support from one organisation, but you will need to submit seperate reference letters (four letters in total for the application). The project hours will not be considered divided; therefore both team members will still be required to work full-time on the project and not hold other jobs simultaneously.
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What factors are considered in the evaluation of my application?
The selection committee will look at many things, including the quality of your application, previous work experience, past internships or fellowships, volunteer positions, training, etc. Your application will also be judged on its potential impact on the community in question.
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What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 12:00 PM (EST) on February 3, 2014. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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When will I know if my project has been accepted?
The selection process is two-tiered. In the first stage, applicants will be short-listed based on their applications. At this time, students may also be contacted for a pre-interview. In the second stage, the short-listed candidates will be invited for a formal interview. The Fellows will be announced late March 2014.
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Who sits on the Selection Committee?
A Selection Committee would be comprised of one or two academics, one administrative professional having experience in related fields (such as social entrepreneurship, international development, psychology, social work, etc.), a PFF representative, and one or two qualified external member (working in or familiar with the related field) for a total of 4 to 6 people.
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What are Fellows expected to do following selection but prior to starting their project?
Once selected, Fellows will be briefed by the Internship Offices Network on the nature of the agreement they will sign. Fellows must also participate in all mandatory orientation sessions offered by McGill, including a University-wide Pre-Departure Session and an International Preparedness Workshop if the project is taking place outside Montreal, or its equivalents if it is a local project.
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If selected, when would I have to start my project?
Fellows are expected to begin working on their projects before mid-September 2014.
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How much is the award, how is the award money disbursed, and is this award considered to be taxable income?
Successful candidates receive up to $20,000 for an 8-month project or up to $30,000 for a 12-month project. The money will be disbursed in four payments for an 8-month project and in six payments for a 12-month project. The specific payment method will be discussed with the Fellows upon selection. All fellowships are taxable income. For more information regarding taxes click here.
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While in the field, do Fellows have any other responsibilities besides the implementation of their projects?
Yes. Fellows are required to provide the Internship Offices Network with monthly reports on their projects, including information on project progress, an updated budget, personal comments/concerns, etc. Fellows must also submit a halfway report. Specific reporting instructions will be described in the PFF Fellows’ Handbook.
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What are Fellows expected to do following the completion of their projects?
Fellows are expected to prepare a final written report on the project, the challenges faced, and the impact it has had on the community. PFF Fellows must also participate in appropriate post-program activities offered by McGill. A debriefing session (a follow-up to the International Internship Preparedness Workshop) will be provided for Fellows who worked outside of Canada, the United States or Europe. Fellows may also be asked to promote the Program at the University (e.g., presenting their experience at information events).
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Can I work on the project part-time? Can I hold another job while working on my project?
Fellows are expected to work full-time on their projects.
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What if I am selected but end up being unable to start/complete the program due to an emergency or personal issue?
In such an event, the Internship Offices Network must be notified immediately and the Fellow must follow the procedures described in the PFF Fellows’ Handbook.
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How many fellowships are awarded per year?
Up to two fellowships will be awarded to McGill Students per year.
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What does PFF stand for?
Pathy Family Foundation.
The Pathy Family Foundation, a private family foundation based in Montreal, helps people meet their basic needs and assists them in developing and sustaining a better quality of life. In funding this fellowship, the Foundation aims to achieve these goals by investing in youth leadership and educational initiatives. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.