Challenge Grants

The Challenge: Write, photograph, and/or film from abroad!
Students will create media for one or more of the SRAS Family of Sites. Media can include blog entries or, for those students looking to additionally build their resume, researched articles, annotated photographs, or videos. Some entries are assigned (such as an end-of-program review) but most are decided in communication between the student and SRAS staff. Entries can cover a wide range of topics as approved by the editor.

The Award: Up to $500
The grant is awarded after all conditions are met. Awards are calculated based on entries completed. Full awards are given after 15 "entries" are completed. Each entry is at least: 1.5-2 written pages (1" margins, double spaced, 12-point TNR font); OR 6-8 annotated, quality photographs; OR 30 seconds of edited video material. A single project may cover multiple "entries."

Additional Application Materials:
When you apply for your SRAS study abroad program, you will additionally submit:

1. Your resume.
2. Plus ONE of the following:
   1. A sample review - either written (.5 - 1 page long) or video (up to one minute).
      Do you have a favorite interest group, church, museum, historical attraction, or public place to stroll or spend time - either at home or someplace you've been abroad? Review it. Make sure to mention, wherever applicable: price, ambiance, and any cultural aspects of the experience. Bonus points if this is somewhere where you can learn about the locality and/or meet locals.
   2. A video of up to one minute telling us why you want to participate in your program.
      Note that the application system does not currently allow videos to be directly uploaded. Please use YouTube or another hosting service to upload your video, then cut and paste the url to access the video to a word document and submit that.
   3. Seven to eight annotated photographs. Annotation must include at least a paragraph of narrative text explaining what is happening in the photographs and its significance. Each photograph may be annotated or, if using a set of related photographs, a single annotation for the set may be used. These may submitted by: 1) using a photo sharing site that allows for captions and submitting links to the image within a word document; 2) placing the images in a word file with the text; or 3) by providing annotation(s) written in a word file with a link to the photographs hosted online.
   4. A writing sample.
      We prefer writing of relevance to the geographic area you will be traveling to or the subjects you most wish to write on. However, any example that you feel best showcases your skills in research and analysis will be accepted.

Application Deadline: SRAS grants are connected to SRAS programs. Applications for this grant are due on the same day as the related program application. Decisions are made after the application deadlines.

Dedication: This grant was founded in honor of Charles Braver, an educator who promoted travel and cross-cultural understanding. Find out more about Charles Braver at the bottom of this page.

The Challenge: Help SRAS increase the number of students from minority serving institutions study abroad.

The Award: Actual awards vary by the specific program, location, and length of program you choose, but average awards are: $150 for programs lasting 1-6 weeks, $300 for any standard SRAS program lasting six weeks to three months, $500 for any program of three months to one semester, and $750 for academic year programs.

Application Materials: When you apply for your SRAS study abroad program, you will additionally submit:

1. Proof of enrolment in or graduation from a minority-serving educational institution.

Application Deadline: SRAS grants are connected to SRAS programs. Applications for this grant are due on the same day as the related program application. Decisions are made after the application deadlines.

The Challenge: See as much of Eurasia as possible by applying for back-to-back SRAS programs in different locations.

The Award:
$1500 applied to Summer session in Warsaw. Sign up for a spring SRAS prorgam in Russia, Ukraine, or Kyrgyzstan, followed by Security and Society Summer School in Warsaw.
$2000 applied to final semester. Sign up for two SRAS semester programs in different locations. Only one of the locations may be Moscow or St. Petersburg. A $500 bonus is added if the two programs bring you to at least three different countries.
$2500 applied to final session/semester. Sign up for any three SRAS programs in different locations. Only one of the locations may be Moscow or St. Petersburg. A $1000 bonus is added if the three programs will bring you to at least four different countries (via travel components included with some programs).

Additional Application Materials: Sign up for qualifying programs.

Application Deadline: SRAS grants are connected to SRAS programs. Applications for this grant are due on the same day as the related program application.

Dedication: This grant was founded in honor of Charles Braver, an educator who promoted travel and cross-cultural understanding. Find out more about Charles Braver at the bottom of this page.

The Challenge: Study in the same location for two consecutive programs.

The Award: Sign up for two consecutive programs in the same location! $1000 is applied for two consecutive SRAS semester-long programs in the same location (fall + spring). $500 is applied toward combining a summer program of at least 6 weeks with a fall or spring semester in the same location.

The discount is applied toward payment for the second program.

Additional Application Materials: Sign up for qualifying programs.

Application Deadline: SRAS grants are connected to SRAS programs. Applications for this grant are due on the same day as the related program application.

The Challenge: Receive a Boren, FLAS, or Gilman Scholarship or study abroad after or while in the military, after completing a government internship, teaching a full class (either as a state certified teacher, graduate assistant, or professor), return abroad as an SRAS alum, or be an honors student at your home university.

The Award: Actual awards vary by the specific program, location, and length of program you choose, but average awards are: $300 for any standard SRAS program lasting six weeks to three months, $500 for any program of three months to a full semester, and $750 for academic year programs.

Application Materials: When you apply for your SRAS study abroad program, you will additionally submit:

1. Proof from the relevant organization that you qualify.

The Challenge: Bring two or more friends abroad!

The Award: Three students or more students signing up for the same session or semester of the same program receive $500 discount for any program of 10 weeks or longer, or $300 for programs that are at least 6 weeks. Groups of six or more will receive a bonus to the cultural program (an extra paid trip out of the city, guided excursion, etc.).

Application Materials: All participants must name each other as part of their application for their SRAS study abroad program.

Charles Braver first studied with SRAS in 2000 on a summer language program at Moscow State University. He returned again in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Seemingly, Charles could not get enough of Russia – and especially the people he befriended there. He took full advantage of every day – heading out to explore as soon as classes ended. The height of his exploration of Russia was in 2005 when he undertook the great "Trans-Siberian adventure." Little did we at SRAS know that there was a reason our active and happy Charles was so focused on making the most of each day. Charles passed away in November 2006 after a long and fierce battle against melanoma. Those of us who had the privilege of interacting with Charles will always remember him as a wonderful person whose learning and passion ended too soon.

When not in Russia, Charles was a master teacher for nine years in the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP) at the New York City College of Technology. A brilliant educator, Charles was dedicated to teaching and learning. He created an amazing body of project-based courses in diverse content areas such as world and local history, civics, journalism, literature and cultural studies, and national and world geography, among others. Charles brought out the very best in his students through his exceptional communication skills, knowledge of the world and of linguistics, dedication to the highest standards, technological know-how, life experience, creativity, generosity, caring, humor, humility, and more. He was a consummate educator who knew the art and science of teaching, and did it all with élan.

If the world had more students with Charles' curiosity, more educators with Charles' energy and wide knowledge base, and more diplomats with Charles' tact, charisma, and open understanding, the world would be a far, far better place. This grant hopes to help provide the world with more people like Charles.

- What Friends Say about Charles -

"Charles and I met at Moscow State University in 2000. We were both studying Russian at the university. He was living on campus for the experience, before moving in with a host family. Charles was like that, he always wanted to test and savor the experience. We ended up spending a lot of time together getting to know each [other] and Moscow. We explored Gorky Park, Tretyakov museum, the Pushkin, and discovered a small Georgian restaurant tucked away near the Park Kultury metro stop that was to become our favorite. We bartered at Izmailovsky, sat on the Kremlin steps watching the honor guards of the 'Great Patriotic War' change on the hour. We always agreed to meet on certain platforms- "you get in the last car, I'll be in the first car-we'll meet at Beloruskaya-a practice that continued though our friendship once we returned home. We spent a lot of time eating pelmeni and vareniki in Brighton Beach, buying Russian music, books and newspapers, trying to barter with and squeezing through the babushki at the international Russian food market. Charles was great with people. He would walk up to anyone on the street and start asking questions in a manner that would invite not only an answer, but quite possibly an invitation to dinner. I admired that in him-his love for people, their lives and his love for knowledge. He cared for people, reached out to them and they returned his affection."

- Rusty Brockman, fellow SRAS student

"In summer of 2005 I had the great pleasure to travel with Charles across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railroad.

"Although the disease that would ultimately take his life had already made itself known, it was remarkable how Charles dealt with it. Other than having to make certain that we had access to a refrigerator so he could keep his interferon fresh and an occasional afternoon nap (to which I never objected) you would not have known that anything was amiss. His enthusiasm and excitement never waned.

"Of all the qualities Charles possessed, the one that most touched me was his passion. His passion for languages, for new cultures, for people, for his students and for his family was always evident.

"Charles loved interacting with people and people loved interacting with him. This was not only true here at home but also in the middle of Siberia. When our train stopped for 10 minutes or so in some little town in the middle of nowhere Charles would disembark not only to buy fruit and cheese for the remainder of the trip but to talk to the women and men selling the food. For Charles needed not only the nourishment the food would provide but the nourishment he received in his conversations with and questioning of the ladies who baked the bread and the men who harvested the fruit. And when he made contact with them -in that moment- I believe they got the inkling that this lanky American who spoke excellent Russian was a very special person. A very special person and a very special friend."

- Ted Bajo, Personal Friend

"I first met Charles at Lomonosov Moscow State University while I was working there for the International Students' Office. Since then we became friends sharing our ideas on a great variety of subjects including the one-dimension-ness of some people and the main features of the "Russian soul," which very few foreigners can identify. Charles was the one who could! He loved Russia and its people, spent much time learning and traveling there, and always wanted to meet new people to learn more.

"Charles' attitude towards life in general and Russia in particular struck me the most when he decided to take the Trans-Siberian railroad journey after being diagnosed with cancer. Very few people, I believe, would not give up in a situation like this. I must admit that he set an example for me."

- Natalia Rostova, SRAS Consultant