Alumni Relations

The Alumni Enrichment Awards were created by the University of Delaware Alumni Association to provide, through financial assistance, opportunities for students to enrich their education at the University of Delaware.

Up to $2,000 per individual and up to $2,500 per registered student organization (RSO) may be awarded to allow students to take part in opportunities in which they may not otherwise be able to participate. These opportunities to enrich the UD experience may include, but are not limited to, academic competitions, leadership conferences, research, service-learning or other academic endeavors.

Applications will be considered on four occasions, according to the following schedule.  As of the February 2009 deadline, retroactive applications will not be considered.

Current undergraduates and graduate students at the University of Delaware are eligible to apply. A minimum 3.0 overall grade point average is required. Preference is given to undergraduates.

• Complete the Individual application.
• Attach an essay, not to exceed two pages, explaining why you are a good candidate for the award.
• Include, in essay or otherwise, a detailed description of the program, conference, competition, etc., for which you wish funding and indicate the dollar amount you would like to receive ($2,000 maximum per student per year). Include documentation that verifies the cost of the program (i.e. website printouts, quotes from travel agents, mileage estimates for gas costs from website, etc). See samples of cost documentation and a completed application in sidebar.
• Food, tuition charges and salaries/payments to individuals are not eligible for funding.
• Rent or hotel charges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Please limit your essays to two pages.
• All AEA projects or trips must be completed prior to graduation from UD. 
• Attach one letter of reference from your faculty advisor or a member of the UD community who endorses your proposal and how you would use the award.
• Attach an unofficial or official copy of your transcript.
• If the opportunity you are applying for is either an individual off-campus UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH or SERVICE-LEARNING project, additional steps in the application process are necessary before the application can be submitted to the Office of Alumni and University Relations for consideration. Complete details on the steps that need to be completed can be found on the Guidelines for Individual Off-Campus Projects for Undergraduate Research or Service-Learning. If you have questions or need more information regarding the service learning or undergraduate research project, contact Sue Serra in the Office of Service Learning at (302) 831-3188.

Examples of recent programs receiving individual awards include:

• Summer Research Fellowship at Hartford Hospital.
• Presentation of research at the International Conference of the Book in Madrid.
• Research assistantship at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica.

Registered student organizations (RSOs) at the University of Delaware are eligible. An RSO may only receive an award two out of every three years.

To apply:

• Complete the RSO application.
• Attach an essay, not to exceed three pages, explaining why your organization is a good candidate for this award.
• Attach a list of RSO members who would participate in this enrichment opportunity with expected year of graduation, major and degree program
• Include, in essay or otherwise, a detailed description of the program, conference, competition, etc., for which your group wishes funding and indicate the dollar amount you would like to receive ($2,500 maximum per organization per year). Include documentation that verifies the cost of the program (i.e. website printouts, quotes
  from travel agents, mileage estimates for gas costs from website, etc). See samples of cost documentation and a completed application in sidebar.
• Food, tuition charges and salaries/payments to individuals are not eligible for funding.
• Rent or hotel charges will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Please limit your essays to two pages.
• All AEA projects or trips must be completed prior to graduation from UD. 
• Attach one letter of reference from the organization's campus advisor.

Examples of recent RSO awards include:

• Attendance at the National Championship tournament for club soccer.
• Funding to support production of a live concert recording in Mitchell Hall.
• Attendance at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference of Amnesty International.