Who is eligible to apply?
All undergraduate students currently enrolled at Cornell are eligible to apply. During the application process we will ask for your name and NetID so that we can verify your enrollment status. If your project is selected for funding, you will need a valid Cornell ID in order to claim your funds.
Can I apply more than once?
No, you can only apply once. This means that you cannot apply as an individual and as part of a group; nor can you apply as part of multiple groups. If you are weighing multiple ideas, please consider what contribution is most important to you.
Can I apply as part of a group or organization?
Yes, you are welcome to submit as part of a group or collaborative team. However, please note that each group or collaborative team member must be eligible (see eligibility description) to receive funds and will be verified using the eligibility criteria for individuals. If the team is selected for funding, this will disqualify each group member from any other subsequent individual or group submissions that include them.
Can I request a different amount of funding?
No, every project that is selected for funding will be awarded $400. Of course, it is entirely up to you as to how you allocate these funds as you pursue your contribution.
Where do the funds I would apply for come from?
The funding for this project comes from a grant from the HopeLab. The motivation for The Contribution Project is to support Cornell students wishing to make meaningful contributions and who could benefit from money as they do so.
How are we selecting ideas to fund?
Our application process is meant to be short and simple. From all of the ideas that meet our criteria (see the FAQ below), we will select 100 ideas by random drawing. Your idea has a good a chance of being selected as anyone else’s.
What topics are we looking to fund?
We are looking to fund any idea you have for making a meaningful contribution. This is intentionally broad. We believe that any idea can be a meaningful contribution, but we are not funding research projects. Other funds at the university can be used for undergraduate research and participant payments. Please note that a primary consideration when judging any idea will be its feasibility. Ideas are not likely to be funded if they cannot be completed within a reasonable timeframe. To be clear: we believe an idea is feasible even if the money will be used to take a step toward a larger goal. The larger goal does not have to be accomplished within the timeframe. Describing how the step moves you closer to a larger goal is appropriate. If you have a feasible idea, your odds of receiving funding are the same as all other applicants.
What is the application deadline?
All submissions must be received by the end of the day on February 17, 2023.
I got funded! Now what?
Congratulations! You will receive a detailed description of how to retrieve your funding via email shortly after being selected. Every student who receives funding from the Contribution Project will be asked to provide us with an update regarding their progress and experience as part of the project.