Pilot Projects

Are you passionate about social change, but not sure where to channel it? Do you need modest funding and other support to conduct a community assessment or stakeholder engagement?  Pilot project grants are designed to support individuals and groups of students who wish to link their academics with action in a small scale or short term project with its own mission, goals, and objectives. Such projects could include feasibility studies; assessment of community assets, interests, and needs; prototyping or testing a new product, service, or program etc. in the US or elsewhere in the world.

Apply

There is a multistep process for Summer 2027 pilot project grants. View the application process and questions here. 

  • Attend an Impact Gaps Analysis workshop, which will help you craft your project proposal. The first workshop is Friday, September 25, 12:30-1:30, Lang Center Keith Room. More dates to follow! 
  • Register for PEAC 009. Introduction to Engaged Scholarship and participate in Systems Thinking for Social Change in January 2027.
  • Submit pilot project application by NOON (Eastern) on March 15 via Wizehive. Contact Jen Magee for the link.

Pilot project applications are reviewed by members of Lang Center staff and faculty or subject experts, as needed, and in some cases, applicants are interviewed. 

All students are required to receive advising prior to applying.

Schedule an appointment with Jen Magee
Click here!

Eligibility

The Lang Center exists to support all Swarthmore students, regardless of political affiliations or views, age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. To be eligible for summer funding from the Lang Center, students must be

  • a currently enrolled Swarthmore College undergraduate (available to first years, sophomores, and juniors — both individuals and teams of students can apply)
  • enrolled in the spring semester prior and/or fall semester following the proposed summer experience
  • in good standing at Swarthmore College.

If you are an international student (on an F1 or J1 visa) considering opportunities to work off campus (in either a paid or unpaid position), please contact Jennifer Marks-Gold before you accept any positions to ensure you maintain your legal status.

 

Note: This grant is not in service of Swarthmore College and does not create an employment relationship between the student(s) and Swarthmore College.

 

Pilot Project Contacts

Jen Magee

Director, Program Development, Implementation, & Assessment

Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility

Peace & Conflict Studies

Contact

  1. Phone: (610) 328-7320
  2. Lang Center for Civic & Social Responsibility 204

Links

  1. Profile

Dr. Magee provides leadership, implementation, and assessment of key programs of the Center that fund the work of social responsibility, including the Engaged Scholarship Research Grant program for faculty and for students: Faculty-Led Engaged Research Grants, Lang Opportunity Scholarship Program, Newman Civic Fellows, Pilot Project Grant Program, and Projects for Peace. Office hours by appointment.

Headshot of Jen Magee