Advocacy Scholars
Create change. Build your skills. Earn a scholarship.
Are you a social work major who is passionate about a community, population, or cause? Do you see a need and want to do something about it? The Advocacy Scholars Program through the School of Social Work offers BASW and MSW students the opportunity to deepen their advocacy skills through a hands-on, student-led project, and earn up to a $2,000 scholarship in the process.
Each year, we invite students to submit proposals for an advocacy project to be completed during the academic year (Sept-March). Selected scholars will join a cohort of changemakers, receive mentorship throughout the year, and present their work in March at the annual Advocacy Scholars Event.
Who Should Apply?
- BASW and MSW students who care deeply about a cause, agency, or community
- Those looking to build tangible advocacy skills
- Students who want to make a real impact in a short amount of time
Whether you choose to collaborate with your field placement, focus on a different organization or community, or work on an issue right here at MSU, you have the freedom to design a project that reflects your values and interests.
Project Examples
Past Advocacy Scholars have tackled a wide range of issues, including:
- Creating a Universal Design Training for Housing Organizations related to disability rights
- Designing and implementing public education presentations on work with Combat Veterans
- Identifying and creating strategies to combat disproportionality in the child welfare system
- Raising awareness for substance dependence and mental health
- Addressing food insecurity on college campuses
- Exploring belonging and connection among BASW students
- Highlighting barriers first-generation students face in higher education
- Click here to see past projects
Potential project formats include:
- Identifying and building an advocacy campaign around a current law, bill or policy
- Evaluating a program or service targeting a specific population
- Creating a toolkit, manual, or resource guide for an agency or community
- Conducting a needs assessment for a local organization
- Designing and implementing an advocacy guide or public educational campaign
- Leading or supporting a social media/marketing initiative
- Assessing the accessibility and inclusivity of agency materials
What to Expect
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What to Expect
What You’ll Gain
- Up to a $2,000 scholarship
- A dedicated mentor to support your work
- A cohort of fellow student advocates
- Opportunities to meet, share ideas, and learn more about social work advocacy through a seminar series led by policy advocacy leaders from diverse backgrounds
- The opportunity to present your project during the Advocacy Scholars Event in March
Timeline
- Proposal Deadline: April 30th
- Cohort Kickoff: September
- Monthly Check-Ins and Speaker Series: Evening, On Going
- Advocacy Scholars Showcase Event: March
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Ready to Apply?
Submit your proposal using the link below and take the first step toward becoming an Advocacy Scholar.
Tips for a Strong Proposal
If you're unsure where to start, consider these steps:
- Are you currently in a field placement or internship? Connect with your program or agency staff to explore ways you could collaborate on a project that supports and advances their work.
- Are you involved in an RSO, student group, or campus initiative? Consider how you could partner with them to strengthen and expand their impact.
- Think about issues you’re passionate about: Where do you see a gap in resources, education, or services? What legislation is currently being considered about your issue?
- Keep your project manageable: Your work should be able to be completed prior to the Advocacy Scholars Showcase Event in March.
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Application FAQs
Who can apply?
This experience is only for primary social work majors including upper-level admits (BASW and MSW students).
What should I include in the project description?
Briefly explain what your project is about. What population or social issue are you focusing on? What’s the overall goal? Are you aiming to raise awareness, evaluate a program, create a resource, or something else?
What’s a “deliverable”?
A deliverable is the outcome or product of your project. This could be an advocacy plan, campaign, meeting, training, guide, event, evaluation, social media plan, or other resource you create and share as part of your work.
Who are the stakeholders?
Stakeholders are the people, groups, or organizations that will be impacted by your project. This might include your field site, a specific community, students, staff, or other relevant audiences.
Does my project have to be tied to my field placement?
No, but it can be and this may make it easier to implement. You’re welcome to develop a project that aligns with your field work, or you can choose a different organization or community you care about.
What if I need help coming up with an idea?
That’s completely okay. You don’t need to solve everything, just focus on one issue you care about. Think about topics you’ve encountered in your classes, field placement, student groups, or personal experiences. If you’re not sure where to start, you can reach out to Kelley Blanck (kblanck@msu.edu) to brainstorm ideas and get support.
Can I work with someone else on my project?
Projects are designed to be completed individually, but collaboration with organizations or peers is encouraged if it supports your advocacy goals. You’ll still be responsible for submitting and presenting your own project.
What past advocacy scholars are saying
"Joining the Social Work Advocacy program helped me develop several important skills. One of the most meaningful was learning how to find and use my voice to speak up about an issue I’m passionate about, especially something that I personally relate to. I also learned how to turn that passion into action by thinking about ways to create programs, address systemic gaps, and help reduce barriers that continue to affect communities and individuals."
"Another valuable part of the experience was connecting with other advocates. By hearing about everyone’s ideas and learning what they were passionate about helped me grow personally and professionally. It created a space where we could support each other, collaborate, and build off one another’s energy."
"Through the program, I was able to gain more confidence in using my voice for advocacy and feeling more comfortable discussing my passions with others... it made me feel really good being able to share it with others. Thank you so much for this opportunity! It was an experience that I'm so beyond grateful for and I can't wait to continue working on my project, even outside of the program."
Skills & Knowledge Gained by Advocacy Scholars
Through their projects and participation in the program, Advocacy Scholars reported gaining:
- Confidence in using evidence to support advocacy efforts
- Practical experience addressing systemic gaps and barriers
- Communication and outreach strategies
- Skills for translating knowledge and insight into community-facing presentations
- Deeper knowledge of personal and professional interests
- Stronger connection to the social work profession
- Community-building and collaboration experience
- Insight into program and resource development
- Research and evaluation skills
- Experience designing and conducting surveys
Gallery
2026 Advocacy Scholars Posters