YEPI will fund programs implemented by universities in the specified regions in their own communities. Universities located in zones of active conflict or high political instability are strongly encouraged not to apply. Please contact us if you are unsure whether your university falls into this category.

What are some of the types of programs you expect to fund?
YEPI will prioritize programs based on strong university-community partnerships that prepare students in the following areas:

1) “Soft” Skills:  Communications, teamwork, problem-solving, public-speaking or presenting, job-searching, leadership, negotiation, creativity, and entrepreneurship

2) Networks:  Providing contacts, mentorships, and experience of the business environment and the job market

3) Entrepreneurship:  Teaching the skills required to start a business; providing resources to support new enterprise; lowering the risks involved in entrepreneurship

4) Curriculum reform:  Collaborating with businesses to bring the offerings of the university in line with the knowledge and skill needs of the market

The strongest applications are expected to address multiple gaps in an integrated way.

How can my university participate in YEPI if it is not located in one of the eligible regions?
During the next several years, there will be multiple opportunities to participate in the Youth Economic Participation Initiative. In 2013 the Network will launch a global Community of Practice to facilitate the sharing of knowledge among universities around the world about the role of higher education institutions in promoting the economic participation of educated youth.

Please send us an email at yepi@tufts.edu if you would like to be informed of future opportunities to get involved.

Will you accept more than one Expression of Interest from a single university?
We highly encourage universities with multiple relevant projects to coalesce their ideas into a single Expression of Interest.

Can MacJannet Prize winners and recipients of other Talloires Network awards apply?
Yes. We encourage existing partners and previous award winners to apply.

Will you fund new programs?
No. The Youth Economic Participation Initiative (YEPI) will exclusively fund established projects that can demonstrate a record of success. Programs must be in existence for at least one year (or academic year) at the time of application.

Can Regional Networks or partnerships involving multiple universities apply?
Yes. We encourage applications from regional networks and multi-university partnerships. All partnerships should designate a single university department or other appropriate administrative entity to lead the Request for Proposals application process and to manage the proposed program. This department should be able to provide evidence of sufficient administrative and managerial capacity to administer the proposed program.

Will you accept applications from cross-sectoral partnerships?
Yes, we highly encourage applications from partnerships between universities and community organizations, businesses, government agencies, or NGOs. Partnerships should be well-established with a track record of success, including at least one year of experience working together on the initiative in question or other projects.

Can a business, government agency or NGO initiate an application in the name of their partnership with a university?
Applications must come from the implementing department within the lead applicant university. Applications will not be accepted directly from partner organizations.

What kind of institutional support do you encourage from the university?
The Talloires Network is primarily a network of university presidents, rectors and vice-chancellors. Competitive applications will demonstrate significant support on the part of university leadership, and will draw creatively on the knowledge resources and expertise throughout the university.

Finalist applicants will be required to provide a letter of support from their university president or equivalent.

Host institutions are further expected to make a tangible commitment to the program, as evidenced by monetary support or the contribution of in-kind resources. Examples of in-kind resources might include staff time, office space, institutional administrative support, and faculty advising. Proposed programs will be evaluated according to both the volume and potential efficacy of the donated resource in relation to the needs of the program.

How to submit:
Please send your completed EOI Application and associated documents as attachments (in Word, PDF, or Excel format, as applicable) to yepi@tufts.edu.

To download a PDF version the FAQs, please click here.