Beat the Odds Scholarship Program The Beat the Odds® scholarship program honors outstanding high school students who have overcome tremendous adversity in life to achieve academic excellence, demonstrate leadership in their communities and aspire to attend college. Each year, through a competitive review process, Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota selects five of the most deserving Twin Cities-area high school students for a Beat the Odds® scholarship to be put toward college expenses.
If you want to nominate a student, complete and submit the application located here by Friday, October 16, 2015 at 11:59 PM. |
Category Archives: Competition
The Global Challenges Youth Music Contest (GYMC) 2015
Deadline: 27 September 2015
Open to: applicants under the age of 35 from all over the world
Prize: trip to Paris, France, a GYMC15 Champion Trophy and a cash prize of 1.500 €
Description
The Global Challenges Youth Music Contest (GYMC) is an online music video competition for young people organized by International Association for the Advancement of Innovative Approaches (IAAI), a Civil Society Organization based in Klagenfurt/Austria in cooperation with UNESCO Management of Social Transformation (MOST) programme, UNFCCC Climate Secretariat and other partners.
The overall objective of the Global Challenges Youth Music Contest is to use the power of music to promote the understanding of the importance of global challenges – like e.g. climate change – for every global citizen and to engage young people in activities that contribute to global and local public good in the context of goals and programs of United Nations system.
With the 2015 edition of Global Challenges Youth Music Contest (#GYMC15) the organizers aim to
- Communicate the topics of the World Climate Conference UNFCCC COP21 which will be held in Paris in December 2015 to young people through peer communication (= “informal global citizenship education”)
- Create and spread positive messages about youth led climate action
- Promote low-carbon lifestyles and ‚think global – act local‘ values and action
- Show to policymakers that young people demand strong global cooperation and bold action on climate change
The 2015 Global Challenges Youth Music Contest consists of 2 main parts:
- the online competition which will identify 3 finalists and
- the TV Show (which will be held during COP21 at UNESCO Headquarters and will be globally broadcasted in cooperation with strong media partners) in which the GYMC15 overall winner will be identified through live on-site and online voting
and has been certified by the authorities of COP21 host country France as a ‘COP21 certified project‘ which is authorised to use the official COP21 logo (see image below)
Eligibility
- the age limit for participants is 35 years (older team members, like e.g. teachers, social workers, partners from entertainment sector etc., are welcome, too but the main creative work has to be contributed by team members below the age limit of 35 years)
- Entrants must own all content (song, video and all parts of the content), or must have secured all necessary rights from any relevant third parties with respect to such content they upload
- Only songs that are original in all respects are eligible to participate. No cover versions!
- Songs that have been submitted to other online music video competitions (e.g. Rio+20 GYMC) are eligible for participation in GYMC15 unless they have already won an award in any international competition
Awards
- The 3 GYMC15 Finalists will receive a Round trip for 1 person for participation in COP21 World Climate Conference in Paris, France December 2015; and the opportunity to participate in 2015 GYMC TV show to present their music and story on youth and climate change action
- The GYMC15 overall winner will receive in addition a GYMC15 Champion Trophy and a cash prize of 1.500 €
Application
- 12th August 2015: Start of the competition with uploading on http://wshe.es/JyaxcYSZ
- 27th September 2015: end of upload phase
- 1stOctober: internal jury presents list of 30 GYMC15 participants & start of public worldwide voting in combination with expert/celebrities jury
- 1st – 31st of October online and jury voting
- early November 2015 public announcement of the 3 finalists
- 3rd of December, presentation of the 3 finalists at COP21 conference Young and Future Generations Day
- 6th of December, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, 2015 GYMC TV Show with live voting on overall winner
GYMC Contest Quality Criteria
2015 GYMC entries pre-selection (identifying the 30 pre-finalists entries on 30 September) will be accomplished by IAAI team members and cooperation partners and guided by following considerations (no appeals possible):
- creativity: is the story of the song innovative and compelling for a global audience
- knowledge and action: does the song help explain to a broad audience what climate change is, why it is important for young people and why global and local collaborative action are needed
- power of music: does the music touch the heart
- celebrating diversity: does the entry contribute to geographic, cultural etc. diversity of GYMC
Good Luck and a great “Thank You!” to all who will submit their artwork!
The World needs Your Music!
Submit here: http://wshe.es/JyaxcYSZ
2016 Animation Artist in Residence Tokyo (A-AIR)
Deadline: 10 September 2015
Open to: young artist interested in animation production from around the world
Venue: 7 January to 17 March 2016, Tokyo, Japan
Description
This project, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan (Bunka-cho), is an artist in residence program that provides three outstanding young animation artists from around the world with an opportunity to come to Tokyo and create new works while directly interacting with Japanese animation culture. It aims to promote both the creation of excellent works of animation and a better understanding of Japanese culture. This project will take place in Tokyo, Japan between 7 January and 17 March 2016.
Eligibility
- Reside outside of Japan and be a citizen of a country other than Japan;
- Have had one of their animated works screened at an international film festival, exhibition or similar event where works from countries other than their own were also screened/featured;
- Be between the ages of 20 and 35 as of 10 September, 2015;
- Be able to speak either English or Japanese at least well enough to communicate in everyday situations;
- Be in good health;
- Have access to the equipment necessary to participate in a remote interview (i.e. a computer capable of connecting to the internet and using Skype).
Costs
Organization offers following support:
- Travel expense;
- Living allowance;
- Travel insurance;
- Rental accommodation (including workspace);
- Expert assistance;
- Opportunity to present work done during residency;
- Opportunities to interact with Japanese creators.
How to apply?
Fill out application forms A, B, C. Download HERE.
Documents/materials to be submitted:
- Reference materials describing the work to be created as part of this program (at least three minutes in length). It is preferable that applicants submit documents (story board, script, etc.) which make it possible to understand plans for the work in detail;
- Proof of a work having been screened at an international film festival, exhibition, or similar event (e.g. a copy of the list of screened works in a festival catalogue). Please make sure that the proof shows the event’s internationality (i.e. proof that it screens/features works from countries other than your own). Proof of more than one film having been screened is not required;
- Proof of age and citizenship (e.g. a photocopy of your passport).
To complete the application process, please send application forms and required documents and materials via email attachments to the following address: entry2016@japic.jp
For more information, please check the official web-page.
Apply for Telenor Youth Forum
Telenor Youth Forum
Date:
8-11 December 2015
Venue:
Telenor Headquarters and other exciting locations across Oslo, Norway
Accommodation and travel expenses will be undertaken by Telenor Group and its affiliates, please refer below for application process.
*******
Join us at the Telenor Youth Forum, and engage in dialogue and communication across boundaries — real or imagined, physical or mental — that aim to foster understanding, prosperity and ultimately peace.
We’re not looking for simple solutions, we’re looking for interesting perspectives, unexpected stories, and insightful dialogue. We’re offering you a global stage, opportunities to meet and discuss with leaders and luminaries within their fields, and a social and professional experience of a lifetime.
We will selected 2 candidates per Telenor 13 markets.
Application Process
http://www.telenor.com/youthforum/application-requirements/
Telenor offers communication services in 13 markets.
With 33,000 employees worldwide, Telenor Group is able to offer a wide range of telecom-related services to consumers and enterprises. Our main operations are concentrated in three geographic regions:
The Nordics : Norway, Sweden, Denmark
Central and Eastern Europe : Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro and Bulgaria
Asia : Thailand, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Myanmar
AECOM’s Global Student Competition
Deadline: 21 August 2015
open to: undergraduate and graduate students at all levels of higher education around the world
Prizes: $15,000 in prizes, which may be divided among one or more teams, $25,000 of cash and in-kind staff time to support the implementation of a prototype
Description
All Systems Go is the sixth student design competition in AECOM’s Urban SOS program. Urban SOS was created to engage students in urban planning and design, architecture, landscape architecture, economics, environmental studies, and engineering with the issues confronting modern cities and allowing them to propose solutions that, if worthy, will be seen by established professionals in their field. This year, the program is presented in concert with the Van Alen Institute and 100 Resilient Cities –Pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation.
Eligibility
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students at all levels of higher education around the world. Entrants must be enrolled in a certified program during the 2015 academic year at Bachelors, Masters, or Ph.D. levels. Submissions must come from multidisciplinary teams of up to four members; individuals may not participate alone. Students from the design fields (Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Urban Planning) who form teams must include members from at least one other discipline outside of their own, including anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, international development, sustainable economics, engineering, ecology, natural resource science, food policy, and other relevant fields.
Prizes
Three short-listed teams will be invited to present their proposals before an interdisciplinary panel at the A D Museum in Los Angeles in October 2015. Urban SOS: All Systems Go jurors will award $15,000 in prizes, which may be divided among one or more teams. In addition, AECOM will make available up to $25,000 of cash and in-kind staff time to support the implementation of a prototype of the winning team’s strategies.
How to apply?
The deadline for applications is 21 August 2015. For successful application, please fill out the online application form.
For more information, please check the official web-page.
The Chevening Scholarships Programme 2016/2017
Deadline: 3 November 2015
Open to: citizen of a Chevening-eligible country
Scholarship: covers: tuition fees, travel costs, an arrival and baggage allowance costs, read more here
Description
Chevening Scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme, funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and partner organisations. The programme makes awards to outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world to study postgraduate courses at universities in the UK.
The programme provides full or part funding for full-time courses at postgraduate level, normally a one-year Master’s degree, in any subject and at any UK university.
The Chevening programme makes awards to talented individuals who demonstrate the potential to become future leaders, decision makers and opinion formers. Chevening Scholarships are awarded across a wide range of fields; including politics, government, business, the media, the environment, civil society, religion, and academia.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Chevening Scholarship you must:
- Be a citizen of a Chevening-eligible country.
- Return to your country of citizenship for a minimum of two years after your scholarship has ended
- Have an undergraduate degree that will enable you to gain entry to a post-graduate programme at a UK university. This is typically equivalent to an upper second-class 2:1 honours degree in the UK.
- Have at least two years’ work experience
- Apply to three different eligible UK university courses and have received an unconditional offer from one of these choices by 14 July 2016.
- Meet the Chevening English language requirement by 14 July 2016.
Scholarship
The funding you receive through your Chevening Fellowship is intended to support costs related to your participation in the programme. Your Chevening Fellowship will usually cover academic/programme fees, return economy travel and a living stipend. The funding amounts may vary per programme as they will be adjusted to account for inclusions built in as part of the fellowship programme structure. The UK has a reputation for being expensive, especially if you live in London. While many of the costs you will incur in the UK may be covered by your fellowship, some things won’t be. The information below will give you some tips on expected costs, how to budget and ways of making the most of your money.
How to apply?
Applications for Chevening Awards can only be submitted using the Chevening online application system, available through the ‘apply’ button on your country page.
Prior to starting your application for a Chevening Scholarship please ensure you have the following ready:
Essential:
- Two references to be provided in a letter format and written in English
- Valid passport/national ID card
- University transcripts (undergraduate, postgraduate)
- Three different UK Master’s course choices
Please note that only documents in PDF format can be uploaded and documents cannot be over 5MB in size.
Optional:
- English language (if already met the requirements)
- UK Master’s university offer (if already met the requirements)
You can submit your initial application without these optional documents and upload them to your application at any point up to 14 July 2016.
Please note that if you are eventually conditionally selected for a Chevening Scholarship, it is essential that you provide evidence that you meet the Chevening English language requirements and that you have at least one offer from an eligible course before 14 July 2016 in order to remain in the process.
In order to apply, register HERE.
If you have any questions, check the FAQ section
The TED2016 Fellowship Programme
Deadline: 20 September 2015
Open to: Media entrepreneurs, human rights activists and photographers from around the world
Venue: 15 – 19 February 2016 in Vancouver, Canada.
Description
Twice a year, a group of interesting and impactful people gathers for the week-long TED experience — which attendees have described as “the ultimate brain spa” and “a journey into the future in the company of those creating it.” It’s a winning formula of brilliant, curious minds and groundbreaking content in an immersive and focused environment.
TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design — three broad subject areas that are collectively shaping our world. But a TED conference is broader still, showcasing important ideas from any discipline, and exploring how they all connect. The format is fast-paced: 50+ talks over the course of a week, as well as morning and evening get-togethers. As they take in the program, attendees and speakers from vastly different fields can cross-fertilize and draw inspiration from unlikely places. This is the magic of TED.
TED is our historic, flagship event, taking place annually since 1984. TED attracts about 1,300 attendees, and three-quarters of its speakers and attendees are from the US.
TEDGlobal, held annually in Europe, is TED’s twin conference, sharing its format and audience — but with a stronger international approach. Of its 700 attendees, it draws a more global audience and speaker line-up (three-quarters from outside of the US).
Eligibility
Media entrepreneurs, human rights activists and photographers can apply for a TED fellowship to attend a conference in Vancouver, Canada. The program targets candidates ages 21 to 40 from the Asia/Pacific region, Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America and the Middle East, but anyone over 18 is eligible. Applicants must be proficient in English.
Costs
TED pays for round-trip economy airfare, ground transportation to and from the conference location, meals and shared accommodation on site.
Application
The TED2016 Fellowship application is now open! To apply, please fill out the online application form. In addition to basic details and contact information, you’ll need to answer essay questions and provide three references.
In order to apply, register HERE.
Before beginning your application, please review our Application tips, our Program FAQ, and our Terms and conditions.
Applications close Sunday, September 20, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. UTC / 7:59 p.m. ET.
If you have any questions, write to: fellows@ted.com
Call for Youth Social Entrepreneur from Good Money Challenge
The Good Money Challenge, sponsored by the Brady Corporation and Marquette University, is an annual competition highlighting high-potential business plans and ideas that address social or environmental challenges.
WHAT IS THE GOOD MONEY CHALLENGE
The Good Money Challenge is a funding competition for innovative ideas
and business ventures that have a social or environmental impact.
The Good Money Challenge recognizes the innovative ideas and passionate people
who can use money to make a difference. The top 10 finalists will make a live pitch
in front of judges and the community for a change to take home a share of $25,000.
Applications are due September 15, 2015
CELEBRATING SOCIAL INNOVATION.
See more on the winning teams in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Forbes
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honors USA students – Deadline: November 4.
http://spirit.prudential.com/view/page/soc/14869
Program Overview
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is the United States’ largest youth recognition program based exclusively on volunteer community service. The program was created in 1995 by Prudential in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to honor middle level and high school students for outstanding service to others at the local, state, and national level.
The program’s goals are to applaud young people who already are making a positive difference in their towns and neighborhoods, and to inspire others to think about how they might contribute to their communities. Over the past 20 years, more than 370,000 young Americans have participated in the program, and more than 115,000 of them have been officially recognized for their volunteer efforts.
We promote great deeds for youngsters across the United States of America, and welcome entrants also from across the world. Our list of extra locations is found below.
If you would like to find out more about us, do not hesitate to contact us .
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is also conducted in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ireland, India, and China, where Prudential has significant business operations.
- How does the program work?
- Who is eligible?
- What qualifications must be met?
- What do honorees win?
- What happens in Washington?
- Who is involved in the program?
- What are this year’s program’s key dates?
How does the program work? |
In the United States, each program year begins in September, when information and application instructions are mailed to all middle level and high schools in the 50 United States and Washington, D.C., and to the following officially designated local organizations:
- Girl Scout councils
- County 4-H organizations
- American Red Cross chapters
- YMCAs
- Affiliates of HandsOn Network
Through these schools and local organizations, students are encouraged to complete an online application by November 4.
Local Honorees are selected at participating schools and organizations in November. From these winners, an independent judging organization names the top middle level and high school volunteer in each state and Washington, D.C. Results are announced in early February. Then, 10 National Honorees are chosen by a panel of prominent public figures, and announced at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C., in May.
Who is eligible? |
Any young person who:
- is in grades 5-12 as of November 4,
- is a legal resident of any U.S. state or Washington, D.C.,
- has engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of application, and
- submits a completed application to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by November 4.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Eligibility.
What qualifications must be met? |
The application must:
- describe an individual’s community service activity or an individual’s significant leadership in a group activity that has taken place during the previous year,
- be completed and submitted to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by November 4, and
- be certified by the principal of a middle level or high school or the head of an officially designated local organization. These individuals should review implementation instructions carefully.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Applications by students and by schools.
What do honorees win? |
- Students chosen as Local Honorees receive a Certificate of Achievement from their schools or organizations. Those who qualify (50 hours of service for age 14 and younger, 100 hours for those older) also receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
- State Honorees receive an award of $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for national recognition events.
- National Honorees receive an additional award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their schools or organizations, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a non-profit, charitable organization of their choice.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Awards.
What happens in Washington? |
The national recognition events held in Washington, D.C., for the 102 State Honorees include gala award ceremonies at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, tours of the capital’s historic monuments and landmarks, Congressional visits on Capitol Hill, a festive dinner cruise on the Potomac River, and plenty of opportunity for the State Honorees to share their experiences and ideas with one another.
The honorees also hear from notable public figures. Past speakers have included Jimmy Carter, Barbara Bush, Mario Cuomo, Magic Johnson, Richard Dreyfuss, John Glenn, Madeleine Albright, Martin Sheen, Rudy Giuliani, Whoopi Goldberg, Colin Powell, Ted Danson, Peyton Manning, Sarah Ferguson (the Duchess of York), Laura Bush, Condoleezza Rice, Susan Sarandon, Eli Manning, Kevin Spacey, Forest Whitaker, Robin Roberts and numerous U.S. senators.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about National Recognition Events.
Who is involved in the program? |
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program is sponsored and administered by Prudential Financial, Inc. in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). The application and state-level judging processes are conducted by International Scholarship and Tuition Services.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Judging.
In addition, The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards are supported by:
- National 4-H Council
- Girl Scouts of the USA
- American Red Cross
- YMCA of the USA
- HandsOn Network (generated by the Points of Light Institute)
- America’s Promise
- American Association of School Administrators
- National School Boards Association
- Association for Middle Level Education
- Council of the Great City Schools
- National School Public Relations Association
- National Association for Music Education
- National Community Education Association
What are next year’s program’s key dates? |
November 3, 2015
Student application deadline.
November 10, 2015
Deadline for schools and officially designated local organizations to select and certify local Honorees for state-level judging.
February 9, 2016
Judging results are announced by NASSP and Prudential.
April 30 – May 3, 2016
National recognition events in Washington, D.C.
Read Frequently Asked Questions about Dates and Deadlines.
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The National Association of Secondary School Principals has placed this program on the NASSP National Advisory List of Student Contests and Activities for 2015-16. |
The #MigrantHeroes Smartphone Film Competition i
Deadline: 17 August 2015
Open to: Anyone can film a migrant story with a smartphone and compete for a prize.
Prizes: US$2,000.
Description
The #MigrantHeroes Smartphone Film Competition is a new IOM initiative to collect films shot on smartphones that tell migrant stories from around the world. Selected films will compete for the 5th Olleh International Smartphone Film Festival (OISFF)’s special “Migrant Heroes Prize.” IOM is officially sponsoring the OISFF in 2015.
The competition will go public through social media platforms under the tag #MigrantHeroes and #OISFF. It will nominate submitted films as candidates for the festival’s special Migrant Heroes Prize of USD2000, and for the festival’s official USD10,000 grand prize. The winning films will be screened at a movie theatre in Seoul throughout September and October this year.
A 2-minute film compilation of a selection of the films submitted will be screened at IOM’s 65th Anniversary in Geneva, and possibly at the opening ceremony of the OISFF. Participation within IOM offices worldwide is strongly encouraged to capture the different perspectives towards migrants in their respective regions.
Eligibility
Anyone can film a migrant story with a smartphone and compete for a prize.
Prizes
Selected films will compete for the fifth Olleh International Smartphone Film Festival (OISFF)’s special “Migrant Heroes Prize.” The winner will receive US$2,000.
How to apply?
The deadline for applications is 17 August 2015. To apply, simply:
Smartphone films, shot by IOM staff worldwide or the general public, can range in length: extreme-shorts (from 1 second to 1 minute), shorts (from 1 to 10minutes) or feature films of over 50 minutes; and should be submitted in H.264/ .MOV, .MP4, or .WMV digital files smaller than 500MB.
Films should be uploaded onto IOM Facebook, Twitter & YouTube accounts with the hashtag #MigrantHeroes #OISFF, and onto the OlSFF website at
In order to apply, register HERE.
For more information please visit the official website