THE award was established at Simon Fraser University in 2007 through the contributions of the Institute for the Humanities at SFU, the Thakore Endowment, and the India Club. The purpose of this award is to recognize and honour those SFU students who, in the spirit of Gandhi’s work, have been active in voluntary community service. Community service may include any voluntary service and leadership that contributes toward the betterment of the human condition: health-related and caring services, literacy and training programs, peer group assistance, work with peace organizations, social justice initiatives, community building services, anti-violence programs, antipoverty programs, and local, national, and international programs that address issues related to peace, justice, and human rights.

Application Deadline: August 31. Electronic applications only. Application package must be emailed to insthum@sfu.ca. Award value: $3,500.

All applicants must meet the following criteria: Be a new or current full-time undergraduate student at SFU. Must be in good academic standing and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 at SFU. A first-term or transfer student must possess an equivalent secondary school or college standing. Registered in a minimum of 9 units of standard graded courses in the fall term.

Applications must include: A 1-page description of the student’s volunteer work, which includes why they chose this particular volunteer work, the student’s experience as a volunteer, and the effectiveness or impact of their volunteer work. At least one letter of reference (must be emailed directly from referee) from a person in the organization or group with which the student volunteered. A resume that includes all of the student’s paid and volunteer work to date. Copy of university transcript (advising transcript accepted).