Sample Grant Application Letter For Professionally-Oriented Volunteer Position Jennifer (Last Name) (Home Address) (E-mail Address Phone Number)

(Committee Name) (Organization Name) (Organization Address)

To Whom It May Concern:

April 12, 2012

I am writing to apply for a Columbia University Grant to help defray my costs when I volunteer with VERTIC, a non-profit organization in London, England, devoted to developing, implementing, monitoring and verifying nuclear, chemical and biological arms treaties, initiatives and compliance. VERTIC accomplishes this through research, analysis, dissemination of information and interaction with governmental, diplomatic, technical, scientific and non-governmental communities. I will graduate from Columbia University in the summer of 2012 receiving both an MA in International Relations with a specialization in International Security and a BA in Political Science with a minor in Human Rights. My concentration is in security and defense policy, with a particular emphasis on nuclear weapons. My MA thesis focuses on the impact of the language of ‘weapons of mass destruction’ on the norm of nuclear non-use. I have spent much of my time at Columbia studying nuclear, chemical and biological weapons policies, and the role that they play in international relations. Effective verification measures are needed to successfully implement arms control and disarmament agreements as well as treaties. Such measures best come about through the use of unbiased research, analysis and training. These tasks are central to VERTIC’s mission, which is why I want to work there. I hope this will lead to a permanent position in this field, and I understand that other volunteers have used such experiences to that effect. With the support of your grant I hope not only to work at VERTIC, but to also be a resource for the Columbia University community by writing about the experience and advising others interested in such work. Based on my correspondence I expect to spend most of my time at VERTIC working for the Arms Control and Disarmament Programme, which monitors developments in international treaties and publishes handbooks on how to establish appropriate and effective monitoring, verification, and compliance systems for arms control treaties and agreements. I will be responsible for conducting research, writing, editing, networking and undertaking other administrative duties. The remainder of my time will be spent supporting VERTIC’s National Implementation Measures Programme which helps countries bring their domestic law into conformity with their obligations under international biological, chemical and nuclear weapons law. I have been studying international relations theory for eight years, since my freshman year of high school where I was a prominent member of my school’s nationally-ranked policy debate team. At Columbia University my fascination with the field grew through courses with experts such as my thesis advisor, Professor John Roberts, and Professor Samantha Cook as well as through long talks with a recent post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Susan Wilson. I enjoy assessing and arguing the merits of the 1 of 2

Sample Grant Application Letter For Professionally-Oriented Volunteer Position different schools of international relations theory, as well as analyzing the implications that those theories have when applied to the world stage. This opportunity to observe the impact of these theories in practice is incredible. Please see the accompanying part of my United Kingdom visa application confirming VERTIC’s commitment to my position, which will be supervised by Scott Adams, Senior Legal Advisor. Specifically, VERTIC has agreed to take me on initially for the months of July and August in its London office, with the possibility of retaining me for September as well. My work will be in English; there should be no safety or other concerns. A Columbia University Grant will help to defray my living expenses detailed in the attached budget. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely yours,

Jennifer (Last Name) MA/BA Student Class of 2012

Please See Additional Requested Materials: Part of UK visa application (Employer Application and Agreement, BUNAC) Budget Resume Transcript References Resume

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