Purpose

The Washington Evaluators “New Professional Scholarship" is intended to support new professionals in integrating evaluation practices and approaches within their respective organizations and/or future practice. Through this opportunity, the Washington Evaluators hopes to strengthen the sustainability of the evaluation community, by recruiting and helping to educate the next generation of evaluators. The Scholarship serves as one means to recruit new professionals into the evaluation community to facilitate continued diversity in the profession. The Scholarship is open to new professionals, currently enrolled students, postdocs and new graduates.  

Deadline for Submission

Monday, June 10, 2019 by 11:59 p.m. EST

Criteria for Award Selection

• Works and/or resides in the DC metropolitan area; /1

• Received a professional or graduate terminal degree between 2017 and 2019; or currently enrolled in a Master or Doctoral Degree program, or postdoctoral opportunity;

• Exhibited interest in the field of evaluation or willingness to learn more about evaluation; 

• Expressed interest in evaluation that includes analyses of disparities for critical subgroups of the population, including when stratified by age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics.

1 / Defined to include the following by the Office of Management and Budget:  DC, MD (Calvert, Charles, Frederick, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties), VA (Alexandria, Arlington, Clarke, Culpepper, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fauquier, Loudon, Manassas, Manassas Park, Prince William, Rappahannock, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Fredericksburg, and Warren cities and counties), and WV (Jefferson County).

Application Materials

The following items are required for a complete application for the scholarship:

1. Updated Resume/CV (be sure to include current email address and phone number)
   
2. One professional letter of reference
3. Statement of Interest that includes between 600 to 800 words on the following:
   • describes how attending training at The Evaluators' Institute in Washington, DC will enhance your career and support their organization's goals;
   • describes how better integration in the evaluation community could benefit your organization or future practice;
   • articulates interest and any demonstrated work in the field of evaluation or plans to do so in the future;
   • describes interests in analyzing disparities for critical subgroups of the population; 
   • indicates top 4 choices for one-day and two-day training opportunities through The Evaluators' Institute (TEI) available in Washington, DC during July 2019. Please select two options between the one-day and two-day courses. For more information on TEI training opportunities, visit: https://tei.cgu.edu/events/july-2019-program/
     
4. Statement of Financial Need to support professional development, including for those working in non-profit organizations or new professionals working in government agencies.
   

*Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

Benefits to the Scholarship Recipient

Individuals who receive the scholarship award will have the opportunity to become increasingly active in the local and national evaluation communities, including professional development events and networking opportunities. Specifically, funds will be awarded to support the recipients' participation in the July 2019 training opportunities offered by The Evaluators' Institute (TEI), in Washington, DC. In addition, Washington Evaluators will provide a one-year complimentary membership, with participation in the Washington Evaluators Mentor Minutes program.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by the Scholarship Task Force on a 100 point scale, allocated as follows:

• Letter of Reference, 25 points
  
• Statement of Interest, 55 points
• Statement of Financial Need, 20 points

Commitment of the selected New Professional Scholar

• Participate in the Washington Evaluators Mentor Minutes program
• Attend one-day or two-day training at The Evaluators' Institute (TEI), during July in the Washington, DC area. One-day and two-day courses based on availability. Washington Evaluators and TEI will inform the recipient of alternative course offerings if the recipient's choices are not available.
• Make a presentation to the Washington Evaluators Board and/or membership within four months of the TEI training to describe how (1) knowledge gained through the training, and (2) Washington Evaluators membership benefited the individual scholarship recipient and their organization where appropriate.

How to Apply

Please submit completed applications materials including all of the items listed under "Application Materials" above by 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, June 10, 2019 via email: communityengagement@washingtonevaluators.org with the subject line: “Application for 2019 New Professional Scholarship”

Scholarship Recipients will be notified via email by Friday, June 21, 2019 (at the latest) and confirmation to Washington Evaluators will be required from the Scholarship Recipient by Tuesday, June 25, 2019. Up to two scholars will be selected from applicants’ submissions.