25-26 Independent Initiative Form - Round 2

Round 1 Final Deadline: Friday, January 16th, 2026

Expected Length of proposal: 2-4 pages

Your proposal should include:

  1. Proposals must include the following information: 

  2. Overview of the experience – what is the experience? Who is the sponsoring organization? What is the group makeup and timeline for the experience? 

  3. Leadership development goals – what do you intend to learn from this experience? How will this help you become a more ethical and effective leader? How will this initiative help to advance your leadership development and goals? 

  4. Payment logistics – amount requested, payment deadlines, links/methods of payment, expected budget, additional sources of aid outside of Independent Initiative funding. Expected budget should be outlined in a table and show all expenses, including those not covered by the Independent Initiative. 

  5. Planned format for reporting back on experience – journal entries, powerpoint presentation, video blog, etc. 

Please note:/Prior to acceptance of any proposals, fellow candidates are required to confirm with the Office of Financial Aid that the amount requested is within their student financial aid budget for the semester that the opportunity will take place (for example, if you are submitting a proposal for a study abroad experience for the summer semester, you must be eligible for aid during that time period). Please email us the results of your conversation with Financial Aid at [email protected]. Failure to do so will result in the proposal being declined. 

* denotes a required field

Proposal file names should follow this format: Last Name, First Name Proposal (ex: Cook, Peter Proposal)

Resume file names should follow this format: Last Name, First Name Resume (ex: Cook, Peter Resume)

NOTE: Submissions that do not follow this format will be required to resubmit. Incorrect submissions that are not resubmitted will be denied.

Please note: Prior to acceptance of any proposals, fellow candidates are required to confirm that the amount requested is within their student financial aid budget for the semester that the opportunity will take place (for example, if you are submitting a proposal for a study abroad experience for the summer semester, make sure to indicate that in your communications with Financial Aid). This can be done by reaching out to the Office of Financial Aid. So that we know you have done so, please copy the CLA at [email protected] on email communication with the Office of Financial Aid about this proposal. Failure to do so will result in the proposal being declined. Independent Initiative support from the Hauenstein Center and CLA is not guaranteed, and is limited by the funds available and funding budget in the student's university account. Discretion for what efforts are supported, and in what amount, remains with the Hauenstein Center staff and our review advisory committee.

I have confirmed that my student financial aid budget will allow for this amount: *

I have reviewed and understand the above policies: *

Human Verification *


Page last modified November 18, 2025
Report a problem with this page