The Elm

The Langenberg Legacy is a grant program through the University System of Maryland (USM) designed to fund student-led projects focused on civic education and/or civic engagement. Each institution can nominate one student (graduate or undergraduate) to compete to become a Langenberg Fellow.

Purpose

The Langenberg Legacy offers students the opportunity to launch projects related to civic engagement, enabling students to bring together their unique vision related to four civic engagement imperatives: news literacy, inequality, climate justice, and engagement with the democratic process.

Program Description

In 2022-2023, the inaugural year of the Legacy program, there were sufficient funds to issue grants to one student from each USM institution. This is a competitive award program. We invite each institution to nominate one student (graduate or undergraduate) to compete to become a Langenberg Fellow. The number of awards will depend on the available funds in the Langenberg Legacy Fund account. The USM encourages participation from students representing a diversity of backgrounds and perspectives.

Funds will originate at the University System of Maryland Foundation and be transmitted to institutions to distribute. The USM will publish all student final project reports in an annual publication and host digital copies of reports on the USM website.

Through the Langenberg Legacy, students will receive:

• $1,000 stipend at the beginning of the project;
• $500 at the end of the project; and
• Invitation to participate in Langenberg Legacy community building events (e.g., webinars, recognition events, meet and greet).

Through the Langenberg Legacy, faculty/staff sponsors will receive:

• $500 at the end of the project;
• Invitation to participate in Langenberg Legacy community building events (e.g., webinars, recognition events, meet and greet).

Student Eligibility

• Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.
• Students must be currently enrolled and be enrolled at the completion of the project.

2023-2024 Grant Program Timeline

March 22, 2023: Students submit their application materials to their Student Affairs Dean, for Nursing: Jennifer Schum jennifer.schum@umaryland.edu (who will submit to Dr. Alvarez) or directly to Dr. Patty Alvarez (palvarez@umaryland.edu), UMB Chief Student Affairs Officer.

• March 31, 2023: Universities send the name and contact information of Langenberg Legacy fellows to USM.
• April 2023: USM hosts Fellows and Sponsors Meet and Greet (exact date TBD)
• Jan. 31, 2024: Final date for students to complete projects
• Feb. 29, 2024: Students submit final project report to USM
• April 2024: Celebration and Project Presentations (exact date TBD)

Student Application Requirements

Student application includes the items listed below:

• Description of what civic engagement means to the applicant and how civic engagement contributes to a more just society (500 words or less)
• Description of the proposed project, including scope, participants, goals, anticipated outcomes (500 words or less).
• One-page resume that speaks to applicant’s previous experience relevant to the proposal.  Experience may include paid or volunteer jobs, internships, campus involvement, or relevant coursework.
• Letter of recommendation from faculty/staff sponsor that speaks to the student’s strengths.