Campus Scholars Program
Opportunities for Students
Overview
FIRE is thrilled to offer two remote, paid activism opportunities for students studying at U.S. colleges and universities. Our Campus Scholars program is the premier program for students who want to promote free speech on their campus. Each semester, FIRE selects a small cohort of student projects to fund and support. Our newest program — Campus Event Coordinators — gives students the tools they need to lead a 50+ person FIRE event at their school. In both programs, FIRE offers funding, a stipend, and remote learning opportunities.
Campus Scholars
Overview
FIRE is excited to offer a semester-long, paid, remote program as part of our efforts to educate and empower students on American college and university campuses. This opportunity gives current undergraduates the opportunity to collaborate with FIRE in defending civil liberties on campuses across the country, while also working with our staff to create and build a personal project to promote FIRE’s mission on their own campuses.
This experience is remote. The 2024 spring semester program will begin with a mandatory in-person training weekend from January 19-20 and then run remotely until May 3, 2024. Campus Scholars will receive a stipend of $1,500 upon completion of the program and their project in May.
The program application process will open on Wednesday, November 1 and close on Friday, December 30, at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Qualifications and Responsibilities
FIRE is looking for energetic undergraduates attending colleges and universities in the United States who are looking to engage in free speech activism on their campuses. Ideal candidates are responsible, focused, and organized; have a passion for civil liberties; and have a history of taking action in support of causes they believe in. Campus Scholars are expected to demonstrate excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
FIRE Campus Scholars will:
- Create, draft, and complete a FIRE-funded personal project congruent with FIRE’s mission over the course of one semester
- Examples of a personal project could include:
- Build a free speech website
- Host a free speech or civil discourse workshop series
- Research proposal aligned with FIRE’s mission
- Or, something that we haven’t thought of! (See past project examples here, here, and here.)
- Examples of a personal project could include:
- Attend a weekend-long training session in Philadelphia from January 19-20
- This weekend-long training session is fully-funded by FIRE. All travel expenses are paid by FIRE.
- Create and update a timeline detailing a week-by-week plan to complete the project
- Attend bi-weekly check-ins with their Supervisor
- Assist with various projects such as research, development, and outreach tasks, throughout the course of the semester
- Promote FIRE events and recommend FIRE’s Summer Internship and Campus Scholars programs to their peers
Application Procedures
The fall semester application process opens on November 1 and closes on Friday, December 30 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Applicants are considered and accepted on a rolling basis. Each semester, FIRE receives dozens of applications for the Campus Scholar program. Given the competitive nature, we strongly recommend applicants submit their materials early.
Applicants must submit a resume, a project proposal, and budget estimations, detailing how they would use a FIRE grant to promote free expression or the First Amendment on their college campus. Applications without a project proposal will not be reviewed. Projects must be congruent with FIRE’s mission. While applicants may not have all details fleshed out, they should have a clear goal, details on how they plan to achieve it, and an estimated budget. Selected applicants will go through a formal interview process to be considered for the program.
Questions and inquiries about FIRE’s Campus Scholar’s Program can be submitted to students@thefire.org.
FAQs
1) What are the details for the training weekend?
Campus Scholars will attend a fully-funded, weekend-long training at FIRE’s office in Philadelphia to present their project proposal to select staff members of FIRE and receive feedback. During the weekend, Campus Scholars will also learn about FIRE’s mission and goals, establish a timeline and plan for completing their project, and network with other Campus Scholars and FIRE staff members.
2) Is the FIRE Campus Scholars Program open to high school students, graduate students, law students, or international students?
No. At this time, the program is only open to undergraduate students studying at institutions in the United States. For more information about other opportunities at FIRE, please visit our jobs page. For information on FIRE’s Legal Clerkship for rising second- and third-year law students, please visit our Legal Clerkship Program page. For information on FIRE’s free speech grant program for graduate students, please visit our Free Inquiry Grant Program page.
3) What is the time commitment?
While the time commitment will vary due to the differences in personal projects, Campus Scholars are expected to average 10 hours of work per week, fully remote. In addition, Campus Scholars will have two check-ins a month with the Campus Scholar coordinator.
4) Can I complete this program if my school is on the quarter system?
Yes. This program is designed to match up with the length of one semester and could be modified for the length of one quarter.
5) What makes an applicant successful?
In previous semesters, successful applicants have submitted an optional cover letter detailing why they would like to complete this program, a detailed budget estimation with reasons for each cost, and have a history of completing similar projects. While applicants do not need to have prior experience with their proposed project, applicants with qualified experience tend to be more successful in the planning and execution of their project.
6) Is the stipend contingent on the success of the project?
Yes and no. We expect every Campus Scholar to give their best effort to complete their project as described in the initial proposal. That being said, plans can go awry and we are understanding of that! If the project is unable to be completed as proposed, the Scholar must adjust the project as needed, subject to approval by FIRE. The Scholar will receive the stipend on the last day of Campus Scholar program or the day all requirements are met by the Scholar, whichever comes last. The Scholar must have completed all project responsibilities and requirements in a timely fashion in order to receive the stipend.
7) What should my project proposal look like?
FIRE seeks project proposals that are at least 1 page in length, as well as a detailed budget estimation. Project proposals should outline the project goal, summary, and how it relates to FIRE's mission. Please see a sample Campus Scholar proposal here.
Campus Event Coordinators
Overview
FIRE is excited to offer a paid, remote program as part of our efforts to educate and empower students on American college and university campuses. This opportunity gives current undergraduates the opportunity to create and execute a FIRE-funded free speech event on their own campus, while working with FIRE’s Outreach Team.
This experience is remote. The 2023-24 Campus Event Coordinator program will begin accepting admission on June 19, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year. Campus Event Coordinators will receive a stipend of $1,500 upon completion of their event.
The program application process will open on June 12 and close on March 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Qualifications and Responsibilities
FIRE is looking for energetic undergraduates attending colleges and universities in the United States who have event planning experience. Ideal candidates are responsible, focused, and organized; have a passion for civil liberties; and have previous event coordination and planning experience. All Campus Event Coordinators are expected to demonstrate superb organizing skills, the ability to reach diverse groups, and the ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.
FIRE Campus Event Coordinators will:
- Create, draft, and execute a FIRE-funded, free speech event designed for their campus community
- Event specifications:
- Must be held at the students’ campus
- Must have an expected attendance of minimum 50 members of the campus community
- Preference will be given to applicants who propose a multi-session event or conference
- Event specifications:
- Design programming for the event that is congruent with FIRE’s mission
- Conduct outreach to variety of campus groups, organizations, and students
- Secure and arrange venue, catering, permits, and speakers
- Submit one blog post to the FIRE Newsdesk detailing the results of their event
- Create and update a timeline detailing a week-by-week plan to complete the project
- Attend bi-weekly check-ins with the FIRE Student Outreach Team
- Recommend fellow peers to FIRE events, our Summer Internship program, and the Campus Scholars Program
Application Procedures
The 2023-24 application process opens on Monday, June 19 and closes on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. (ET).
Applications are considered on a rolling basis.
Applicants must submit a resume, a project proposal, and budget estimations, detailing how they would use a FIRE grant to execute a FIRE event on their campus. Applications should include a drafted schedule and the potential date for the event. Applications without a project proposal will not be reviewed. Projects must be congruent with FIRE’s mission. While applicants may not have all details fleshed out, they should have a clear goal, details on how they plan to achieve it, and an estimated budget. Selected applicants will go through a formal interview process to be considered for the program.
Questions and inquiries about FIRE’s Campus Event Coordinators Program can be submitted to students@thefire.org.
FAQs
1) When should I aim to host my event?
Your potential event date should be within your school year and should not conflict with exam weeks, major sporting events, school or national holidays, or breaks. Additionally, FIRE will not consider events scheduled during the summer term.
FIRE is open to a variety of event lengths on any day of the week.
We highly encourage Campus Event Coordinators to submit their application at least 12 weeks prior to their potential date.
2) Is the FIRE Campus Event Coordinator Program open to high school students, graduate students, law students, or international students?
No. At this time, the program is only open to undergraduate students studying at institutions in the United States. For more information about other opportunities at FIRE, please visit our jobs page. For information on FIRE’s Legal Clerkship for rising second- and third-year law students, please visit our Legal Clerkship Program page.
3) What is the time commitment?
While the time commitment will vary due, Campus Event Coordinators are expected to average 8-10 hours of work per week, fully remote. In addition, Campus Event Coordinators will have weekly check-ins with the FIRE Student Outreach Team. You can expect the time commitment to increase closer to the event date.
4) How much funding can I expect from FIRE?
The amount of funding will vary depending upon the expected audience attendance. We understand that it's hard to predict how many students will attend. FIRE will look at applicants’ previous event experience to determine if the expected number of attendees is realistic.
For conferences with a minimum of 50 attendees, students can expect up to $4,000 in funding. This funding will go toward items like room or venue fees, A/V equipment, catering, speaker honorarium, and advertisements.
5) What makes an applicant successful?
Successful applicants will have previous event planning experience where they served as lead event planner or coordinator, and with a minimum attendance of 50 people. Successful applicants often submit an optional cover letter detailing why they would like to complete this program, a detailed budget estimation with reasons for each cost, and have a history of completing similar projects.
6) Is the stipend contingent on the success of the project?
Yes and no. We expect every Campus Event Coordinator to give their best effort to complete their project as described in the initial proposal. That being said, plans can go awry and we are understanding of that! If the project is unable to be completed as proposed, the Coordinator may adjust the project as needed, subject to approval by FIRE. The Coordinator will receive the stipend following the publication of their event blog post. The Coordinator must have completed all project responsibilities and requirements in a timely fashion in order to receive the stipend.
7) What should my project proposal look like?
FIRE seeks event proposals that are at least 2 pages in length, as well as a detailed budget estimation, potential date for the event, and suggested programming and/or speakers. Project proposals should outline the project goal, summary, and how it relates to FIRE's mission. Please see a sample Campus Event Coordinator proposal here.