Live It Fund J-Term Applicants

The Live It Fund empowers students driven by hope and ambition to turn their ideas into impactful actions that make a positive difference in the world. It supports students who identify an opportunity or problem and propose innovative solutions. Since its inception in 2010, the Live It Fund has provided financial backing for student-led projects, offering up to $2,000 during J-Term. Students can then apply for additional summer funding of up to $6,500. Macalester students continue to inspire us with their passion, creativity, and embodiment of global citizenship.

The J-Term Live It Fund offers students the chance to pilot a project, though completing a full project during this time is also an option. Unlike research projects, pilot projects serve as prototypes, offering students a chance to explore, test, and refine their ideas for potential larger-scale initiatives, such as those in MacStartups, the summer Live It Fund, or other programming opportunities. This process also helps students build stronger relationships that can be crucial to the success of a more comprehensive project.

2025 Important Dates

Monday, September 16, 2024	9:00am Application Opens!
Tuesdays, September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22	Noon – 1:00pm In-person office hours in the Idea Lab, 2nd floor of the library. Drop by to ask an Entrepreneurship and Innovation staff member any questions you may have about the program.
Monday, October 28, 2024	9:00am Applications Due! Students must submit a fully completed application and all required accompanying materials which includes a resume and a short 2-3 minute video.
Friday, November 15, 2024	First communication to applicants will be sent. Students will find out if they have been selected to continue to the next round.
Monday, November 25, 2024	Final awards will be announced.
Thursday, December 5, 2024	4:45-6:30pm Participant Orientation Meeting
Thursday, February 6, 2025	Live It Fund Jterm Presentations

Application Preview

This PDF is available for applicants to preview the full application before applying. To apply, you must complete and submit the Google Form located on the Live It Fund homepage. Click here to preview the Live It Fund Jterm application.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Students who are studying abroad for the Spring 2025 semester may apply, but you must be able to video call for any required interviews or meetings.
• Students may apply solo or in teams of 2 people. Both members of your team must follow the eligibility requirements.
• Students enrolled full-time at Macalester College in the Spring 2025 may apply.
• You may have already started working on your project before you apply.
• If you are a senior graduating at the end of the fall semester, you must partner with a student who will be at Macalester the entire academic year to be eligible to apply. Someone needs to be enrolled during the spring semester to participate in all of the follow-up Live It Fund requirements that take place after J-Term is over. 

What is our selection criteria and process?

Students must submit a fully completed application and all required accompanying materials by the deadline above. No late applications will be accepted. The Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation uses the following rubric to assess Live It Fund applications:

Opportunity	The applicant clearly describe an unique opportunity. They are passionate about working on this idea as it connects to their vision of global citizenship.
Market, People, and Community	The applicant demonstrates empathy and a strong willingness to connect with the community, understanding and addressing current gaps in the market/space. They have a clear vision of the role their project can play and have identified collaborators they can work with to ensure its success.
Project scope	The applicant is realistic and understands the scope of the work they need to accomplish during the project time period and has a strong idea of how to evaluate their own success.
Mindset	If applying as an individual, they exhibit a self-driven mindset, demonstrating the competence, responsibility, and commitment needed to successfully complete the project. If applying as a team, they have a proven history of working together or can clearly demonstrate an understanding of effective collaboration. The team conveys the necessary drive, competence, and shared responsibility to see the project through to completion.
Fund Alignment	The proposed project and vision align with the goals of the Live It Fund, and the support provided by the Live It Fund will add significant value to their efforts.

A student selection committee, often comprised of previous Live It Fund recipients, advises on the selection process. Committee members read and rank applications based on the criteria outlined above and meet to discuss and deliberate before final announcements are made.

Due to limited funds available for Live It Fund student projects, budget proposals will be subject to increased scrutiny during the selection process. For the best chance of success, please carefully consider how your funding request aligns with and supports your project goals.

While the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation makes the final selection of recipients, multiple people and perspectives contribute to the decision-making process. Our aim is to build diverse cohorts and fund students who are at the right point in their entrepreneurial journey and overall learning experience.

Program Dates, Requirements, and Expectations

• Projects must take place during the 2025 J-Term break, with all work completed and funds spent before the start of the Spring 2025 semester. Only in rare cases will projects extend beyond the J-Term break, and for these exceptions, you must seek approval from the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
• We encourage you to partner with existing organizations on your project. However, if you choose to collaborate with an organization, you must retain control over the project’s direction and scope.
• Projects can be conducted locally, nationally, or internationally, provided that any travel complies with Macalester’s U.S. State Department travel policy.
• The Live It Fund project is expected to be your top priority over the J-Term break. We ask that you refrain from taking internships, jobs, or other commitments that could significantly interfere with your project work. However, you may hold such positions if they do not substantially hinder your Live It Fund work, or if your project is already completed. If you have any questions, please consult with an E&I staff member.
• You are expected to apply yourself diligently and responsibly to achieve the objectives outlined in your application, be a good steward of the resources provided, and understand that you are representing Macalester College.
• You will be required to attend and complete all Live It Fund training sessions, events, and tasks before, during, and after your project. This includes delivering a post-project presentation to the Macalester community.
• If you are an international student (F-1 Visa status) and selected for this program, you will be required to speak with ISP to ensure that you are complying with immigration regulations. If you are worried about your work authorization by the time you start, we encourage you to meet with ISP as soon as possible.
• The Live It Fund offers reimbursement for project expenses. If accepted into the program, you will be required to submit a detailed budget proposal outlining all potential expenses related to your project. Please note that the budget submitted with your application is not final and may be adjusted based on the department’s review.
• We discourage students from hiring outside help to complete the majority of their project. The Live It Fund is designed to foster self-led discovery, particularly in the face of uncertainty. Your vision, personal growth, and the opportunity to learn new skills should be central to your experience. If you need to hire someone or partner with a group, please do so only if they possess a specific skill or expertise that is essential to the success of your project. The goal is for you to take ownership and engage deeply in the learning process.

What is the IRB process and why do I have to complete it?

Macalester’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) serves as the College’s research ethics board, committed to fostering a culture of respect for the rights and welfare of all research participants. As a Live It Fund recipient, while you may not be writing a research paper, you will likely be working with people. The IRB process is in place to ensure that both you and your project participants are safe and that everyone involved is treated ethically. All Live It Fund projects will then be reviewed through the IRB process. If the IRB approves your project, you may proceed. If the IRB does not approve your project, we will be unable to fund it. Click here to learn more about the IRB application process.

Privacy statement

By applying to this program, you are granting permission for the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation to contact the Office of Student Affairs, the Registrar, Academic Programs, and Title IX to inquire about your disciplinary and academic status with the college. Current or past violations do not automatically disqualify you from the selection process but may be considered.

Your application will remain confidential throughout the process; however, it will be shared internally within the Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and with the current student selection committee. The student selection committee is required to maintain the confidentiality of all application and selection materials. We reserve the right to forward your application or portions thereof to various college departments and committees, including but not limited to International Student Programs, Career Exploration, Institutional Research, and the Institutional Review Board committee.

Questions?

We’re here to help you set yourself up for success! If you have any questions or if you want to talk more about anything related to the Live It Fund or any of our additional programs, please email Jody Emmings at [email protected].