Food Systems for Nutrition Innovation Lab and 1890 Universities Foundation Call for Applications: Second Cohort of the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Student Working Group

APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENDED: Thursday, October 31st, 2024 at 5pm ET

The Food Systems for Nutrition Innovation Lab (FSN-IL) and the 1890 Universities Foundation will create the second cohort of the working group led by graduate students from 1890 institutions focusing on student enrichment in leadership, research, careers, and institution collaboration. Stipends for these graduate students would be supported by FSN-IL during the academic year, including summer semesters. While faculty would be involved in this working group, the graduate students would take the lead and organize various activities. The 1890 Universities Foundation will select a faculty member to serve as the faculty advisor for the working group to help guide the working group in their activities.

Purpose of Working Group

The second cohort of the 1890 Professional Student Working Group would help to:

  • Conduct surveys to identify the needs of students at 1890 universities related to leadership and career-building opportunities in the global food systems space.
  • Based on the gaps, identified students will provide input and assistance to FSN-IL leadership in identifying student workshops in leadership and academic areas such as proposal writing, data analysis, budgeting, and global food system career opportunities. The student group would organize the appropriate workshops.
  • Serve as “boots on the ground,” identifying engagement opportunities among student groups and institutions within the 1890 community
  • Identify global food system research opportunities within the 1890 institutions and then assist students with finding those opportunities in research or leadership. Create a database of the relevant opportunities so that students in all institutions learn about the research opportunities.
  • Create contacts to build networks and foster collaboration between the 1890 Student Working Group institutions.
  • Create opportunities for 1890 students to engage with the global food system research, programming, and policy community through designed activities. This could be through participation in identified policy and academic seminars, webinars, and/or scientific symposia.
Eligibility

Interested applicants must be 1890 students currently conducting their master’s or doctoral degrees in fields related to food systems, such as food supply chains, food environments, consumer behavior, diets, and nutrition and health outcomes). These students should be interested in building a career in relevant research and education, policy and programming, or community engagement focusing on food systems. Ideally, members of the working group are students eager to build upon existing leadership skills and have a vested interest in learning about and sharing professional opportunities for all students in 1890 institutions

Scope of Work
  • Student commitment of at least 1 year in the group.
  • Eligible for up to $12,850 stipend throughout the academic year with full-time support during the summer term, where involvement in the group would be more intensive than during the academic year.
  • Organizing student meetings at least 1 per month with a working agenda based on the findings from the needs of the student body in each 1890 institution.
  • Prepare and submit status/accomplishment reports to be shared with funders, the FSN-IL Management Entity (ME), and the 1890 Universities Foundation on a monthly basis using a pre-designed reporting template. Weekly updates are prepared and presented to the faculty member guiding the group.
  • Check-ins with faculty advisor/s at the 1890 Universities Foundation as established at the start of the working group, and periodic check-ins are requested with the FSN-IL ME.
  • Presentations as required on group accomplishments and individual research/technical work.
  • Participation in FSN-IL activities, such as webinars, symposia, and workshops.
  • Involvement in local and state government advocacy for future programs on behalf of 1890. (what does advocacy at the government level mean for the student?)
  • Creation of databases for student networking, research projects for student involvement, and training.
Questions

Questions regarding this call for applications can be submitted to 1890universities.fsnil@gmail.com