Barnabas McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards, Open Space Institute – New York

Organization: Open Space Institute

Award name: Barnabas McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards

Application Deadline: February 13, 2015

Description: The Barnabas McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards are grants awarded each year to four exceptional young leaders in the fields of environmental conservation, historic preservation, the arts and tourism. The awards, of up to $5,000 each, provide financial support for undergraduate and graduate students to pair with nonprofit organizations and execute exemplary projects in the Hudson River Valley.

In addition to the $5,000 awarded to McHenry Recipients, The Open Space Institute also awards $1,000 to their sponsoring organizations for supplementary expenses.

The Barnabas McHenry Hudson River Valley Awards were created in 2007 to honor the extensive contributions of environmental philanthropist and conservationist, Barnabas McHenry. Barney is passionate about preserving the scenic and environmental importance of the Hudson River Valley, celebrating its vibrant historical, artistic, and cultural resources, and supporting young leaders who embody this same passion.

Compelling Proposals and Applicants: The Open Space Institute awards grants to young leaders who conduct projects that celebrate the scenic and historical value of the Hudson River Valley, educate local and academic communities, promote awareness, and invoke change.

An advisory committee selects McHenry Awardees in each of the four disciplines based on the following merits:

• Young leaders who demonstrate an excellence in their chosen field and a passion for their distinctive project.
• Projects that produce tangible benefits to local communities in the Hudson River Valley.
• Projects that impact a student’s respective college or university, introducing thought-provoking and compelling conversations to academic communities.

Eligibility:

Any nonprofit organization working in the Hudson Valley may nominate a candidate and the project that he or she will conduct. Eligible candidates must be undergraduate or graduate students. The project itself may be either a summer internship or a year-long endeavor.

How to Apply: Are you an undergraduate or a graduate student with a compelling project proposal but lack a partnership with a nonprofit organization? Here is a list of nonprofit organizations in the Hudson River Valley you can contact about applying for a summer or year-long internship funded by the McHenry Award.

As a student candidate, your own college or university can also nominate you. The project would then be conducted in collaboration with either a professor or faculty member in place of a nonprofit organization.

Applications must be completed by February 13, 2015 and include:

1. Nomination Form completed by the nominating organization.
2. Letter from the candidate
   1. Explain the importance of this project to you;
   2. Explain why you are qualified to do this project;
   3. Letter must not exceed one page, single-spaced;
   4. Candidate’s Resume (including academic achievements);
   5. Project Budget.

The application submission deadline is 5:00 pm on February 13, 2015. Application must be submitted by email to Jessica Watson at [email protected]