Cambridge, MA – April 26, 2009 – The S.E.VEN Fund (SEVEN) is announcing its 2009 – 2010 Student Essay Competition. This year we are seeking essays on inspiring new models of economic development from around the globe. The competition will award one (1) student prize of $10,000. The submission deadline is December 7, 2009 at midnight Eastern Standard Time (EST). Winners will be announced on February 7, 2010.
For more information… http://www.sevenfund.org/new-models-development/index.php
What is the essay question?
“Read the article ‘Rwanda Rising: A New Model of Development” and write an essay about models of economic development anywhere in the world that subvert traditional top-down approaches, and instead use a ‘heretical mix’ of business strategy, local wisdom, culture, and mutual benefit to bring about sustainable economic change at the city, country, or regional level.”
Who can participate in this competition?
The 2009-2010 student essay competition is open to high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students. Students may be in any field of study (including professional fields, such as medical, business, or law). If you are currently in college, you must be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution. If you are a high-school student or in the process of submitting applications to enter or re-enter college, you must have active applications underway and plan to be matriculated full-time at an accredited institution by the competition’s close date.
Where do I get a paper application?
There is no paper application required for this competition. Essays should be submitted following the instructions in the section below: “How do I submit my essay?”
How do I submit my essay?
- Submit your essay electronically in an MS Word or PDF format only, using the submission form on SEVEN’s website. All information requested, including contact information, abstract, and essay should be included in a single document. The url is:
http://www.sevenfund.org/contest-forms/new-model-development.php
- Every essay MUST, in addition to the actual essay, include a 100 word abstract at the beginning of the document.
Along with the submission, you MUST include the following information in the submission form, as well as on the first page of your submitted essay:
- Your full name and mailing address, a contact telephone number and your academic email.
- Your degree-level and field of study.
- Your University’s name, official address and main telephone number as well as the name, phone number and email address of someone we may contact at the university (Faculty member, Department Chair, or registrar) to verify that you are enrolled as a full time student.
- A brief paragraph biography of the author(s)
Why has SEVEN selected the short essay format for this competition?
We believe that the short essay format is a powerful and underutilized mechanism in development thinking. It is a versatile medium that requires succinct, insightful writing that can be published in multiple venues.
Does SEVEN have a preferred philosophical or scientific agenda?
We see a number of experts who opine about poverty and prosperity: i.e., macroeconomists, businessmen, educators, political scientists, social scientists, etc. We rarely see enough integration, where the experts of one domain borrow insights from another, and attempt to create an even more robust intellectual framework. We intend to foster this kind of integration, at the level of thought leader and practitioner.
Does SEVEN have any guidance to students preparing essays?
Essays should be original works that directly address the topic as outlined. We strongly discourage students from repurposing papers from college courses.
Who qualifies to compete in the SEVEN Fund Student Essay Competition?
Any full time student who studies at an accredited educational institution worldwide or a student who has been confirmed acceptance and matriculation for the following academic year may submit an Essay in English to compete in the SEVEN Fund competition as long as the essay reflects the scope and guidelines stated in the call for essays. The winning student will be required to enter into a contract with SEVEN prior to final award. We welcome applicants from every field of study.
How long should the essay be?
Essays may not exceed 2000 words and must be written in English. Students may write an essay of less than 2000 words. Do not forget that you MUST submit an abstract along with your essay.
What is the abstract?
We ask you to submit, along with your essay, an abstract that states the essence of what your paper is about. This is a very useful process for both the writer and the reader as it forces the writer to concisely state his or her point and it allows the reader to enter the reading of the essay with a better understanding of the idea and subject matter.
Do Undergraduate and Graduate Students compete with each other?
For purposes of this essay competition, all students compete for a single scholarship.
Are there any restrictions on the prize money? What may the prize money be used for?
The prize money is intended for use at an accredited academic institution for the winning student’s education. SEVEN will release the money directly to the educational institution or a student loan provider, not directly to the winning student.
How will essays be judged?
All essays that comply with the call for essay rules will undergo a competitive process of a confidential jury review. Expert SEVEN Fund jurors will evaluate and rank the essays according to the criteria described in the call for essays. The winning students will be required to enter into a contract with SEVEN prior to final award.
Can I submit multiple essays?
No, each student may only submit one essay.
Can I collaborate with another author?
You may decide to submit an essay together with another student, but the prize money is per essay, not per student. The two (or more) of you would share the prize. SEVEN especially welcomes teams of students from different disciplines, as we believe that integration across domains provides the greatest insight into complex global problems.
What if I am unable to submit my application electronically?
Only applications submitted through this form on our website will be accepted. If you encounter problems, please contact SEVEN at info(at)sevenfund.org.
How is SEVEN financed?
This call for essays is supported initially by a generous grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
What sort of legal organization is SEVEN?
SEVEN is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
How is SEVEN administered and run?
SEVEN is primarily managed by two people, Andreas Widmer and Michael Fairbanks. They are co-directors with different experiences in the high-tech industry and development, respectively. They founded and ran the only venture-backed firm in the USA to focus on selling software and strategic consulting services to developing nations. There is a board of advisors, and a board of directors with vast experience in global markets, advisory work, and enterprise solutions to poverty.
What if I have additional questions?
You may send your questions to info(at)sevenfund.org.
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