Johnson Grants

In 2009, eight undergraduates were selected as the first recipients of Johnson Opportunity Grants.

Grants are awarded on a competitive basis and provide funds to cover travel, living expenses, and other costs associated with a project or summer activity.

To apply for a Johnson Grant, students are required to find, describe and justify a worthwhile summer (or spring option) project. It might be an unpaid internship on Capitol Hill or a State Department internship in a foreign capital. It might involve participation in a national or international student conference. It could include research travel that will develop leadership skills in a chosen field of study. Or it might be a service project that will demonstrate a commitment to community leadership. The possibilities are broad and the criteria for evaluation of applications will include both academic accomplishments at Washington and Lee and the potential for leadership development that the project makes possible.

Recipients of Johnson Opportunity Grants are obligated to write a reflection on what they achieved in their summer project, what advice they have for future applicants and how their experience will impact their ability to provide leadership in their careers and communities.