SPH Equity in Action Scholarship - Fall 2026

The Equity in Action Scholarship recognizes students who complete experiential work demonstrating meaningful contributions toward advancing health equity and addressing structural inequities in communities.

For further information on health equity, including the definition used, please visit: https://www.sph.umn.edu/research/collaborations/hewg/about/

Eligible experiences may include Applied Practice experiences, internships, structured volunteer work, or other supervised experiential learning activities.

This scholarship is open to all eligible SPH students, regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristic. Selection is based on the applicant’s completed experiential work and its demonstrated contributions toward advancing health equity or addressing structural inequities.

The Equity in Action Scholarship award amount will likely be between $1,250 - $2,500.

Award Expectations

Recipients of the Equity in Action Scholarship are expected to present a poster (or other approved format) of their experiential work at the School of Public Health Practice Day in Fall. The cost of Practice Day posters are sponsored by the School of Public Health. 

(Disclaimer: If the applicant cannot be present during Practice Day - Fall 2026, another form of presentation can be arranged).

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicants must be enrolled in an SPH degree program in Fall 2026. Applicants must have completed at least one academic term in their SPH program prior to the application deadline.
  • The experience must involve supervised, community-engaged work.
  • Experiences must demonstrate a clear connection to advancing health equity and/or addressing structural inequities.
  • Eligible experiences may be paid or unpaid. However, experiences that are part of a student’s regular ongoing employment responsibilities are not eligible. Work completed through an employer may be considered only if it was a distinct internship, practicum, Applied Practice Experience, or other supervised experiential learning opportunity separate from the student’s normal job duties.
  • Applicants must have completed a minimum of 50 hours in the experience by the time of application submission.
  • Preference may be given to experiential work conducted in partnership with Minnesota communities.
  • Students must be registered for at least 1 SPH course for at least 1 credit in Fall 2026.
  • Regent’s Tuition Benefit recipients are not eligible.

The deadline to submit this application is Sunday 9/13/2026

If you have any questions, please contact sphscholarship@umn.edu


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Student Information
First Name *
Last Name *
UMN Email Address *
UMN Student ID# *
Academic Program & Degree *
Experience Information
Is this experience part of your Applied Practice Experience? *
Site/Organization Name *
Site Supervisor Name and Title *
Site Supervisor Email Address

The School of Public Health may contact supervisors or organizations to verify participation, responsibilities, or project details if needed.
 *
Dates of Experience *
Total Number of Hours *
Is this experience completed or ongoing? *
Essay Questions
Feel free to refer to your Learning Agreement, if applicable. 
(400 word limit) Please describe the experiential work you completed. In your response, please address each of the following:

-The organization and population served
-The inequity, structural barrier, or health disparity the work aimed to address
-Your specific role and responsibilities
-One tangible outcome, product, or contribution resulting from your work

Be specific about your personal contributions rather than describing the organization broadly.
 *
(400 word limit) Please share what are some of your takeaways from the experience, what you learned as a result of the project, and how this experience will shape your future public health or professional goals. *

Certification

I affirm that the information provided in this application accurately reflects my experiential work and that SPH may verify participation with the listed organization or supervisor. I understand that, if selected, I will be expected to present a poster or another approved format about my work at SPH Practice Day in Fall 2026.

 *
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