SCHOLARSHIP: Peter DeSimone Scholarship
Peter DeSimone Student Scholarship Program
Up to eight undergraduate or graduate students will be chosen as Peter DeSimone Scholars. The scholarship allows students to attend the premier sustainable finance conference in the US from June 24-26th, 2024, free of charge, and is a fantastic opportunity to attend US SIF FORUM 2024 and connect with sustainable investment experts.
US SIF’s Annual Conference will be held in Chicago this June 24-26th, 2024. These scholarships are made possible through the support of our dedicated sponsors: Praxis Mutual Funds, Boston Trust Walden and Calvert Impact Capital.
Complete this online application.
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The scholarship is named in memory of Peter DeSimone, a 20-plus year veteran of the sustainable investment community. Peter was a US SIF staff member for several years, inaugurating the position of Policy Director and helping launch our first conference.
The Scholarship grew out of a US SIF initiative on diversity and inclusion with the intention to both introduce students to this field and to enhance the diversity of the field. The initial scholarship was created in 2013 and was renamed in Peter’s honor in 2015 following his passing the year before. We particularly welcome applications from women, Indigenous communities, and all people of color.
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The objectives of the Scholarship Program are:
- Enhance students’ knowledge of sustainable and impact investment;
- Encourage students to enter the field of sustainable investment upon graduation;
- Provide an opportunity for students to learn directly from leaders and experts in the field of sustainable investment through participating in the US SIF conference and being introduced to experts in the field.
Scholars are expected to attend the entire conference, including the Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment course and Member Day activities. We also ask Scholars to post on social media including twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram and write a blog post for the US SIF website or other approved platform.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Scholarship recipients receive:
- Complimentary registration for FORUM 2024, US SIF’s 11th Annual Conference from June 24-26, 2024, including Member Day (scholars will have a virtual prep session the week of June 17th);
- Complimentary registration for our course on the Fundamentals of Sustainable and Impact Investment.
- Domestic travel and lodging to FORUM 2024.
Who Should Apply?
The Peter DeSimone Conference Scholarship is designed for students who can show commitment to a career in sustainable and impact investment through their work/internships to date and through focus on this area in their academic studies or extra-curricular activities:
- Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited, degree-granting undergraduate or graduate program at the time of application and be in good academic standing.
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How Do I Apply?
Complete the online application, which includes:
- A Personal Statement;
- Resume/CV;
- Current Transcript;
All applications must be submitted online, and all components must be received by 11:59pm EST on Friday April 26th 2024.
Applications will be evaluated based upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the strength of the personal statement and demonstrated activities or actions related to pursuit of a career in sustainable investment. Candidates may also be interviewed by US SIF Foundation staff.
All candidates will be informed of their status no later than Friday May 17th, 2024. For any questions, please contact us at scholars@ussif.org. Please no calls.
General Timeline:
- April 26, 2024 – Applications are due by Midnight Eastern.
- May 17, 2024 – Candidates will be notified if they have received a scholarship.
- May 24, 2024 - Candidates will be publicly announced.
- Week of June 17th: Prep Session for the conference.
- June 24-26, 2024 – US SIF Conference takes place in Chicago, IL.
About FORUM 2024:
The US | SIF FORUM 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, offers a unique opportunity to network with leaders of the sustainable investing community and to learn about new approaches, trends and policy developments.
Since our first conference in 2011, our Conference has attracted representatives of investment management and advisory firms, asset owners (foundations, pension funds, family offices), research and data firms, financial planners and advisors, broker-dealers, and community development financial institutions, along with policymakers and corporate leaders.
Our content covers a broad array of topics and issues deeply relevant to the financial professionals who attend the Conference. More information about the event and our past conferences can be found here.
About US SIF
US | SIF works to ensure that the US capital markets play an active role in driving investments toward more sustainable and equitable outcomes. US SIF and its members are the leading voices of sustainable investment. We aim to create a level capital markets’ playing field which includes increased transparency and disclosure across the industry.
US SIF’s 200+ Members represent trillions in assets under management or advisement and include actors across the entire capital markets value chain– from asset owners, financial advisors, asset managers, institutional investors, and community investment institutions to data and service providers that support the industry.
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The US SIF Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization providing educational, research and programmatic activities.
Additional information can be found at www.ussif.org.