2014/Scholarships

The inaugural WikiConference USA 2014 will be held on May 30 – June 1, 2014 at New York Law School in New York City. WikiConference USA is pleased to offer scholarships to offset the travel costs of select attendees. Scholarships will cover round-trip travel, accommodations, and some daily living expenses. The scholarship application will open on January 28, 2014.

Important dates

• Scholarship applications open: January 28, 2014
• Application deadline: March 31, 2014, 23:59 EST
• Notification date: April 30, 2014

Scholarship eligibility

Any active contributor to a Wikimedia project and/or Wikimedia volunteer in any other capacity, from anywhere in the United States, is considered eligible. Participants in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative and/or educational initiatives are also encouraged to apply.

How to apply

To apply for a scholarship, please submit a completed application form by 23:59 EST on March 31, 2014. It is highly recommended that applicants review all of the material on this page and on the Frequently Asked Questions page before submitting an application.

Selection criteria

Selection Criteria

	Activity in the Wikimedia movement
	Activity outside the Wikimedia movement
	Future goals for participating in the Wikimedia movement

The Scholarship Committee will review scholarship applications and assess candidates based on a standardized set of criteria. Applicants will be assessed in three general areas:

(A) Current/historic level of participation in the Wikimedia movement (50% of total score)

(B) Current/historic level of participation in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative and/or educational initiatives (15% of total score)

(C) Future goals for participating in the Wikimedia movement (35% of total score)

Activity within the Wikimedia movement (50%)

Applicants who are active within the Wikimedia movement are highly engaged editors and community members who will add value to WikiConference USA 2014 through their experience, knowledge, and dedication in online and offline activities. To highlight this, applicants should write about their experiences participating in online Wikimedia activities (such as editing) and offline Wikimedia activities (such as chapter activities, meetups, GLAM, and Campus Ambassador programs).

Scoring Rubric: Activity within the Wikimedia movement

	Very high level participant, defined by continued involvement and high impact in two or more Wikimedia projects, affiliate organizations, or initiatives.
	High level participant, defined by continued involvement and high impact in one or more Wikimedia projects, affiliate organizations, or initiatives.
	Mid level participant, defined by continued involvement and average impact in one or more Wikimedia projects, affiliate organizations, or initiatives.
	Low level participant, defined by relatively new account, few edits, and little or no involvement in any Wikimedia project or initiative.
—	Not a participant, defined by a brand new account, or almost no edits, and no involvement in any Wikimedia project or initiative.

Activity outside the Wikimedia movement (15%)

Applicants who are active outside the Wikimedia movement are individuals who have shown potential to add value to the Wikimedia projects and movement, who can enhance and build on this potential at WikiConference USA 2014, and who can disseminate what they learn at the conference to their respective communities. These participants may exhibit qualities of innovation and participation in other aspects of the free culture/open source movement.

Relevant activity outside of the Wikimedia movement can include activities relating to information and communication technologies for development, free software, educational institutions, GLAM institutions, and so forth. If applicable, applicants can write about their experiences with other comparable organizations.

Scoring Rubric: Activity outside the Wikimedia movement

	High level participant, defined by involvement in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative or educational initiative with very high potential to benefit Wikimedia.
	Mid to high level participant, defined by involvement in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative or educational initiative with high potential to benefit Wikimedia.
	Mid level participant, defined by involvement in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative or educational initiative with some potential to benefit Wikimedia.
	Low level new participant, defined by involvement in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative or educational initiative with low potential to benefit Wikimedia.
—	Not a participant, defined by no involvement in other free knowledge, free software, collaborative or educational initiatives.

Future goals for participating in the Wikimedia movement (35%)

Applicants are expected to have concrete goals for how attendance at WikiConference USA 2014 will impact their future involvement in the Wikimedia movement. Applicants should expound upon why they are interested in attending the conference, what input they can bring to it, and what they hope to glean from it.

Scoring Rubric: Future goals for participating in the Wikimedia movement

	Very strong desire to be involved with the Wikimedia movement going forward; specific, concrete ideas for how applicant's unique skills, styles, and interests can be incorporated into and enhance the Wikimedia movement.
	Strong desire to be involved with the Wikimedia movement going forward; a few less developed ideas about how applicant's unique skills, styles, and interests can be incorporated into and enhance the Wikimedia movement.
	Some desire to be involved with the Wikimedia movement going forward; vague and under-developed ideas for how applicant's unique skills, styles, and interests can be incorporated into and enhance the Wikimedia movement.
	Low or unclear desire to be involved with the Wikimedia movement going forward; unclear and non-thoughtful ideas for how applicant's unique skills, styles, and interests can be incorporated into and enhance the Wikimedia movement.
—	No anticipated involvement with Wikimedia in the future.