Clinton Global Initiative University

The Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) is looking for higher education student leaders who are committed to take action in their community to address a pressing challenge. We are looking for students across the world who are motivated to make a positive change in the areas of:

• Education
• Environment and Climate Change
• Peace and Human Rights
• Poverty Alleviation
• Public Health

CGI U is President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton’s initiative to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. Each CGI U student must make a Commitment to Action: a specific plan of action that addresses some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Waste x Change, FIT Hives, POCreatives (now known as Spotlight FIT), and The FIT Natural Dye Garden were some of the Commitments to Action by FIT students who were selected to participate in CGI U.

Represent FIT at this prestigious event through Think Big!

Students accepted into CGI U will participate in a year-round program that includes access to: high-touch mentorship; a social impact curriculum; funding streams; and student engagement events, including the CGI U 2022 virtual annual meeting hosted by President Bill Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. 

FIT supports the participation of our students at the CGI U meeting through our Think Big Challenge that is funded through the FIT Student Government Association. Our process gives you a chance to brainstorm with students at campus sessions and receive feedback on your application. If your application is endorsed through our FIT process, then you will be eligible for funding for travel to the meeting and seed funds for your Commitment to Action.

Eligibility Criteria

• You can apply as an individual or together with a maximum of two other FIT students. Individual or Team must have at least one member who will not be graduating in 2022,
• All members must be enrolled in a degree program, full-time (can be undergraduate or graduate)
• Each team must have a faculty or staff member who will serve as a mentor. You are committed to turn this project idea into action within the next year
• You must attend one Info Session or meeting
• In order to be eligible for funding from FIT/Think Big, you must submit your application through our internal process and receive feedback and an endorsement before applying to CGI U directly

Funding

If your Commitment to Action is accepted through the Think Big Challenge then you will be able to receive support for travel if there is an in-person CGI U meeting (the 2022 meeting will be virtual).

The “Think Big'' Challenge is funded through the FIT Student Government Association (SGA)  and the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success (EMSS). Once FIT Think Big projects are accepted to CGI U they may be invited by the Clinton Foundation to participate in other fundraising challenges and opportunities.

The Pitch

All teams selected to attend CGI U will present a 5-minute pitch presentation providing a plan for seed funds (similar to Shark Tank). A Think Big panel will select the top three projects and award funds: 1st: $3,000, 2nd: $1,500 and 3rd: $750. This will take place in the spring semester so that you can take advantage of lessons learned from the CGI U curriculum.

Please note that there are limitations on how funds can be spent (e.g. projects can’t budget for payroll or projects outside the U.S.). We work with students individually once we know what their projects entail.

Application Process

1. Contact person throughout the process: Suzanne McGillicuddy
2. Attend an Info Session (See This Week at FIT emails and FITLink for schedule and Webex links)

Helpful Links

» Application Tips and Schedule of CGIU Webinars
» CGIU Commitment to Action Map
» Commitment to Action Envisioning Framework
» Video update of FIT students’ “Closing the Loop” Cotton Muslin Compost Project
» “FIT Hives: Sustainability - The Secret to Survival” documentary created by FIT students who brought bees to FIT through their CGI U Commitment to Action