The 2024-2025 Reubin Askew Scholarship applications closed February 19, 2024 at 11:59 pm. We provide this information for reference. Watch the recording.
The Reubin Askew Scholarship identifies an outstanding cohort of undergraduate researchers selected on the basis of their commitment to civic engagement, public policy, public leadership, or public service, broadly defined.
Askew Scholars receive $2,000 over the course of an academic year to support a significant research project. The program will require participation in the life of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service, which can include attending Bob Graham Center events, meeting with the Director, and working with a mentor to help prepare them for a life of civic involvement.
About the Program
Applicants from any undergraduate major and college at the University of Florida may apply. To determine eligibility, students should review the criteria below.
NOTE: University Scholars or CLAS Scholars cannot hold both awards unless they can clearly demonstrate two entirely different research subjects.
The GPA requirement is 3.0 and above.
Students apply during the spring to be recognized as an Askew Scholar for the following academic year. Students should apply with at least two full semesters remaining before graduation. Askew Scholars will receive $2,000 to support a significant research project. These funds may be used to support direct research expenses or be disbursed as an award through student financial services. If disbursed directly to the student, the award will be paid out in two installments ($1,000 disbursed at the beginning, then $1,000 at the completion of the project).
Students may request more than two semesters of support, additional funds, or a different distribution schedule if their project necessitates it.
Faculty mentors will guide the work of the Askew Scholars, interact with them on a regular basis, and direct their writing and research on their project. Students will choose their own mentors, though the Center can assist and connect them to faculty with shared interests if necessary. Faculty mentors will each receive $1,000 in professional development funds.
Previous Askew Scholars have generally demonstrated these following characteristics:
Personal Qualifications
- I aspire to improve the ways that government agencies, nonprofit organizations, international NGOs or educational institutions serve the public.
- I have identified broad issues in the public sphere that need solving.
Academic and Public Service Record
- I actively participate in community- or campus-serving activities such as:
- Student government and/or campus-based extracurricular activities;
- Student affairs or other public service employment;
- Community service-related activities;
- Internships, commissions or boards, advocacy or interest groups;
- Nonpartisan political activities, or military/ROTC;
- Partisan political activities and campaigns.
- I am involved with organizations or activities related to my career interests.
- I stay informed of local, state, national, and/or international current events.
General
- I will take advantage of the opportunity to be mentored by a UF faculty member with similar interests learn to effectively analyze a public issue and present my findings.
Requirements for Completing the Award
During the term of the award, an Askew Scholar must:
- Take a class related to leadership, public policy, public leadership, or civic engagement, broadly defined, or a class on the specific topic of the supported project;
- At the midpoint, submit a one- to two-page memo, summarizing the work completed thus far, and proposing potential recommendations;
- Complete the research project;
- Engage in the life of the Bob Graham Center for Public Service;
- Participate as an active mentee in relationship with faculty member;
- Publicly present the research (e.g., the Center’s annual undergraduate research symposium).
Application Process
You will be asked to submit:
- A 300-word statement of purpose, outlining how you will draw value from the Askew Scholarship and contribute to the Bob Graham Center for Public Service;
- A 500-word proposal for the research, that identifies the issue the project addresses, the intended audience, and the intended outcome;
- A budgetary outline of how the $2,000 stipend will be spent (travel, materials, intended to be used as living stipend, etc.) If additional funding is being requested, please provide a justification and spending plan.
- A letter of support from the faculty mentor.
Timeline
Monday, January 22, 2024: Application opens
Wednesday, February 1, 2024, Noon: Information session
Monday, February 19, 2024, 11:59 pm: Application closes
Monday, March 4, 2024: Applicants notified of status, recipients announced
April 2024: Askew Scholars Orientation and kickoff meeting with Bob Graham Center Faculty
For questions on the program contact Reed Jeffries, Special Projects Assistant, at Graham-Center@ufl.edu.
About Reubin Askew
Reubin O’Donovan Askew (1928-2014) served as Florida’s 37th Governor from 1971 to 1979. He is consistently ranked as one of the greatest governors in the state’s history, and rated by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University as one of the United States’ top 10 governors of the 20th century.
A native of Muskogee, Okla., his family settled in Pensacola during his childhood. He served in the U.S. Army after graduating from high school. In 1951 he graduated from Florida State University with a degree in public administration, then completed law school at the University of Florida College of Law.
Askew was first elected to public office in 1958 in the Florida House of Representatives, then served in the Florida Senate from 1962 till election as governor in 1970. Askew’s reform agenda included extensive funding for public education, environmental protection, the state’s first corporate income tax, and improved race relations.
After leaving the governor’s office, Askew served as the U.S. Trade Representative and briefly mounted an unsuccessful campaign for the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1984. The Askew School of Public Administration within Florida State’s College of Social Sciences and Public Policy is named in his honor. He spent much of his retirement lecturing in Florida’s universities. Askew died in 2014 from complications of a stroke. This research program furthers Governor Askew’s legacy of education and civic engagement by supporting the next generation of public servant scholars.