Graduate Student Network

The Graduate Student Network (GradSN) is open to all emerging scholars interested in service-learning and community engagement (SLCE) including current graduate students (master’s and doctoral), prospective graduate students, students in between graduate programs, or recent graduates.

To join the GradSN and receive the GradSN monthly newsletter, submit the statement of intent.

The GradSN supports emerging scholars through:

  • Professional development workshops at the annual IARSLCE conference

  • Mentoring opportunities with established scholars

  • Professional development workshops throughout the year

  • A graduate student only listserv

  • Research advancement opportunities

  • Networking opportunities

We invite all emerging scholars to participate in any of our monthly steering committee calls. We also invite all emerging scholars to join one of our committees:

  • Conference Planning Committee

  • Membership and Communications Committee

  • Professional Development Committee

  • Mentoring Committee

Time Commitment: All emerging scholars interested in SLCE are invited to participate GradSN offerings regardless of their participation in any committee work. This GradSN steering committee convenes once per month. Members who join additional committees will spend time between calls coordinating and working on their various projects.

Contact: gradsn@iarslce.org

GradSN Blog

Call for Applications IARSLCE Graduate Student Travel Support

We are pleased to announce the call for applications for the IARSLCE Graduate Student Travel Support, aimed at supporting travel expenses for graduate students to attend the 2026 IARSLCE Conference in New Orleans, scheduled for October 11-13, 2026.

Purpose

The IARSLCE Graduate Student Travel Support aims to support graduate students who are conducting research that contributes to the advancement of the field of Service-Learning and Community Engagement (SLCE). We seek students who are committed to the mission and goals of IARSLCE and the Graduate Student Network (GradSN) and who are eager to actively participate in the conference and our ongoing activities.

Support Amount

  • Travel within US: a maximum of $500 per student

  • International travel: a maximum of $1,000 per student

  • Total funding available: a maximum of $4,000

Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be a current graduate student (MA/MS or PhD/EdD).

  • Commit to attending the 2026 IARSLCE Conference in New Orleans.

  • Sign the GradSN Statement of Intent if you have not already done so.

  • Strongly encouraged to attend monthly GradSN meetings. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month via Zoom.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to complete the IARSLCE Graduate Travel Support Application Form.

Recipients Requirement

Those who receive the travel support will be required to be IARSLCE members.  

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Degree of involvement with GradSN and/or IARSLCE;

  • Clarity and specificity of research and practice areas of interest;

  • Articulation of the contributions of conference attendance from the applicants;

  • Commitment to DEI and global perspectives in research and practice; and

  • Additional contributions and comments provided in the application.

Important Dates

  • Application Deadline: July 6, 2026

  • Conference Dates: October 11-13, 2026

For any questions or further information, please contact GradSN at gradsn@iarslce.org. We look forward to receiving your application and supporting your participation in the 2026 IARSLCE Conference in New Orleans.