Advertising Research Foundation Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence Scholarship (ARF WIDE)

We will begin reviewing applications on August 5 Application officially closes August 25th

The Advertising Research Foundation (ARF), through its Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence (WIDE) Scholars program, seeks to award scholarships and to provide learning opportunities and internship experiences to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have an interest and talent in the fields of advertising, marketing, media and market research, and data analytics.

The scholarship provides $5,000 for the 2023-2024 academic year ($2,500/semester). This is a renewable scholarship! ARF WIDE Scholars who continue to meet the criteria and are full-time students in good standing are eligible to have their scholarship renewed for the 2024-2025 school year.

In addition to providing financial awards, a key feature of the ARF WIDE program is providing students with exposure to the fields served by the ARF. Scholars must commit to participating selected ARF opportunities detailed below. Opportunities such as these may be available for any applicant to this scholarship, regardless of if they are chosen for merit aid.

Criteria for this award includes:

  1. Student is currently enrolled in full-time program of study leading to a Bachelor’s Degree (application is open to students of all majors, though it is anticipated that most applicants will be majoring in business, social sciences, or data sciences).
  2. Student has at least four remaining semesters at the UW. (Priority will be given to those with only four remaining)
  3. Student is maintaining at least a 3.0 average in coursework.
  4. Student has expressed interest in potentially working in the fields of advertising, marketing, media, media research, market research, consumer insights, data analytics and/or similar.
  5. Student comes from a disadvantaged background as defined by ARFCF, the markers of which may include:
    – Low-income family
    – Racial minority
    – From a poor, low-mobility urban, suburban or rural area
    – First-generation to attend college
    – Qualifies for financial aid through programs like Pell Grants
    – Recent transfer to 4-year institution from a community college
  6. Student must agree to complete, at the end of each academic year, a letter describing how the scholarship funds and the contacts with ARF have affected their academic experience and/or their future plans.
  7. Student must agree to sign the ARF WIDE Scholar Commitment Form (See details below)

Finalist Forms
Finalists will be sent two forms to their wisc.edu email. Failure to return the signed form by the due date indicated in the email will disqualify you from being offered the award.
ARF WIDE Scholar Commitment Form
Form 1 will ask you to commit to the following.

  1. Participate in eight Learning Labs (including orientation and closing ceremony) over the course of the 24-month program
  2. Engagement in YP Coach model
    – Meet every other month (virtually)
    – Attend three online ARF events (annually) with YP Coach
    – Show initiative in completing tasks
    – Strengthen your individual professional profiles
    – Expand your professional network
  3. Engagement in Executive Mentor model
    – Meet 1x per quarter (virtually)
    – Practice informational interviews
    – Expand your professional network
  4. Give preference to summer internships offered through ARF WIDE research and insights program
  5. Provide feedback on ARF program to continue to evolve program elements to benefit scholars

Photo Release Consent Form
Form 2 will ask that you allow ARF WIDE to use any photos or video of you taken during their events. We will also be asking for a headshot and this release will include use of that photo.

Learn more about the Advertising Research Foundation and the Workforce Initiative for Diversity and Excellence at https://thearf.org/about-arf/wide/ or watch this video about Becoming an ARF WIDE Scholar: https://youtu.be/mcJdqV-pKo4

Award
$0.00
Organizations
Wisconsin School of Business - BBA Program
Deadline
08/25/2023
Supplemental Questions
  1. Please upload your Resume
  2. Please provide a short essay that answers the following questions: i. Why you selected your particular major/program? ii. What classes have you taken that will prepare you for a career in advertising, marketing, media and market research, and/or data analytics? iii. Why are you applying for scholarship support? (Explain how you meet section e of the criteria) iv. How will the ARF WIDE scholarship help you to attain your goals? Essay can be between 500-1000 words, but not more than 2 pages in length
  3. Are you interested in potentially working in the following fields? Select all that apply
  4. How many full time load semesters do you have left before graduation? (Full time status requires 12 credits minimum)
  5. Please select if you qualify for any of the following aid/grants
  6. Are you interested in becoming an ARF WIDE Scholar even if you are ineligible to receive additional scholarship dollars? (Selecting no will not disqualify you)
  7. I have read what commitments I will be asked to agree to and understand that to be offered the award I will have to return a signed copy of the Commitment Form and Photo Release Form (provided to finalists).
  8. Show 2 more