Student-led Events

Each academic year, CPL provides funding support opportunities for HKS students engaging in the practice of leadership and hands on experiential learning through student-led conferences and symposiums within the Harvard campus. All conferences and symposiums must be approved by DPSA before an application for CPL funding is submitted. Students must submit a proposal and budget with their application. This application is for funding support only, no logistical support will be provided. Funding support is also not guaranteed and is based on a variety of factors, including those listed below.

• Conference/Symposium Requirements:
  • DPSA approved and finances managed in coordination with DPSA
  • Student-led within the Harvard campus
  • Open to the entire HKS community
  • Allow Q&A with the audience
  • Occur at least partially on the HKS campus (if in-person)
  • Occur through an HKS generated Zoom link (if remote)
  • Organized by students currently affiliated with HKS
• Applications will not be considered if they are:
  • Not DPSA approved
  • Events that engage organizations outside of the Harvard community (no co-branded or co-led events)
  • Student led treks or trips
  • Journal publication costs
  • Led by non-HKS facilitators
  • “Invite only” or events intended solely for specific organizations or groups
  • Requesting support for individual conference attendance (such as registration fees or travel to attend a conference)
• Application Link: CPL Student-led Conferences and Symposiums Funding Application
  • Students must submit a proposal and budget with their application. The following templates from CPL must be used for the submission:
    • Conference/Symposium Proposal Template
    • Conference Symposium Budget Template
• Application Process and Deadlines: Applications are accepted and reviewed by the CPL Student Awards committee at two selected times during the academic year. Applicants can expect to hear back in 1-2 weeks from the application deadline and will be notified via email if their application has been selected or not.
  • Deadlines for AY24-25:
    • Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 11:59pm ET
    • Sunday, January 26, 2025, at 11:59pm ET
  • Important to note: Partial or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • If awarded, the student conference should list CPL as a supporter/sponsor/co-sponsor on conference materials and the CPL logo should be included when possible. Please refrain from referring to CPL as a conference partner.

The goal of this program is to enable students to convene groups, spark conversations, and/or hear from speakers they would not be able to otherwise. Through this initiative, students may apply for CPL sponsorship of events – such as bringing a speaker to campus – that serve as a complement to curricular offerings at HKS. It is designed so that the ideas are generated initially with students, then CPL provides the staff, logistical, and financial support to turn the concept into a reality.

Each semester, CPL will sponsor a select number of these mid-sized student-generated events. Successful event proposals demonstrate impact on the HKS community and alignment with CPL’s mission. Students will play an integral role in the planning and execution of the event, working closely with the CPL Engagement Team to bring their proposed offering to the full HKS community.

• If the proposed event is selected, the support it will receive from CPL (at the discretion of the Engagement Team) can include:
  • Logistical support from CPL Engagement Team including
    • Staffing: The Engagement Team provides staffing support and logistical coordination for the event.
    • Invitations and RSVPs: The Engagement Team will lead the creation of promotional materials. The creation of signage, agendas, or additional materials will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
    • Space booking: the Engagement Team will identify and book a space on HKS campus for the event.
    • Catering: The Engagement Team will place a reasonable order of refreshments for the event.
    • Invitations to any guest speakers: The Engagement Team will coordinate, send, and manage any invitations to guest speakers.
      • CPL may offer suggestions for guest speakers to engage for the event idea. Just because a guest speaker is proposed does not mean that it is ultimately the guest speaker that will be invited. Guest speakers are approved at CPL’s discretion.
  • Funding: CPL funds the event. This funding does not go directly to the student. Funding decisions rest with CPL staff alone. Students cannot offer payment to guest speakers, extend invitations, or make purchases on behalf of CPL.
• Student Role: Students who proposed the event are expected to play an active role planning and participating in the event. Duties can include:
  • Playing a leadership role in the event, subject to CPL approval.
  • Taking photos or coordinating with other students to take photos of the event.
  • Promotion of the event through student channels.
  • Partner with the CPL Engagement team in identifying guest speakers and developing the run of show.
  • In consultation with the Assistant Director of Communications, write about the event for the CPL website.
• Criteria:
  • Applicants must be current HKS students.
  • Proposal must be for a one-time event that aligns with CPL’s mission.
  • Event must aim to attract an audience of more than 20 people.
  • Event must take place on HKS campus and be open to the HKS community. No student-led treks or trips.
  • Event cannot be held in conjunction with organizations outside of the HKS community, cannot be led by non-HKS facilitators, and cannot be “invite only” intended solely for specific organizations or groups.
  • Event budget cannot exceed $3,000.
  • Applicants must submit the required application and documentation including a proposed budget.
• Application Link: CPL Student-Generated Events Application
• Application Process and Deadlines: Applications are accepted and reviewed by the CPL Student Awards committee at two selected times during the academic year. Applicants can expect to hear back in 1-2 weeks from the application deadline and will be notified via email if their application has been selected or not. If selected, the applicant will be required to meet with the CPL Engagement Team to discuss the event further. It is the applicant’s responsibility to schedule the meeting.
  • Deadlines for AY24-25:
    • Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 11:59pm ET
    • Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
• Branding:  The CPL logo must be used in all branding of the event. Any other logos in conjunction with the event must be approved by CPL in advance.

Important to note: Partial or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

CPL seeks to encourage and enable debate and dialogue among students providing targeted support for small student-led gatherings for current CPL fellows. Examples of these small-scale events included student roundtables or even a coffee-hour discussion session. Each semester, CPL will approve a select number of these student-generated, student-led events.

• If the proposed event is selected, it can be eligible to receive the following logistical support from CPL on a case-by-case basis:
  • Catering and/or Media Services: The Engagement Team will determine any limited staff support for assisting students with booking catering (limited refreshments) or media services.
  • Promotion: The Engagement Team will evaluate if it is appropriate to include the event in CPL newsletters or messages to CPL Fellows. However, the student bears the primary responsibility for publicizing the event.
  • Note: CPL does not provide funding directly to the student nor cover speaker fees, honorarium, or travel for these small scale events.
• Branding: The CPL logo may not be used for these events
• Student Role: Students are responsible for the event itself. This includes the agenda, moderation of the event, technology needs, room booking, room set up, managing invitations, RSVPs, publicizing, etc.
• Criteria:
  • Applicants must be current CPL student fellow(s) and the event must be student-led.
  • Event must be approved by DPSA. Students must show proof of this approval by uploading their room reservation confirmation in their application.
    • All student-run events need to be hosted by a recognized student organization.
  • Event must be a one-time occurrence that aligns with CPL’s mission.
  • Event cannot be for more than 20 people.
  • Event must take place on the HKS campus, be open to HKS students, and abide by all school policies. 
  • Event must be held during the current academic year when classes are in session.
  • Event cannot be held in conjunction with outside organizations, cannot be led by non-HKS facilitators, and must be facilitated by current CPL fellow(s).
  • Event budget cannot exceed $500.
  • Applicants must submit the required application and documentation.
• Application Link: CPL Student-Generated Events Application
• Application Process and Deadlines: Applications are accepted and reviewed by the CPL Student Awards committee at two selected times during the academic year. Applicants can expect to hear back in 1-2 weeks from the application deadline and will be notified via email if their application has been selected or not. If selected, the applicant will be required to meet with the CPL Engagement Team to discuss the event further.
  • Deadlines for AY24-25:
    • Tuesday October 1, 2024 at 11:59pm ET
    • Sunday, January 26, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
  • Important to note: Partial or incomplete applications will not be considered.