Ralph W. Voorhees Public Service Fellowships

The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and the Voorhees Family have established the Ralph W. Voorhees Public Service Fellowships to honor Ralph W. Voorhees’ long commitment to community life through an extraordinary record of service. For the academic year 2026-2027, up to five (5), $5,000 fellowships will be awarded to undergraduate students from the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus.

The program is designed to bring students together to work collaboratively as part of a team to do applied research, write a report and present findings. Students will work collaboratively to build community capacity in areas such as community development and planning, community-based education, housing and public transportation, public health and public policy.

The program is open to all undergraduate students from the New Brunswick campus. Students selected for the fellowship will be required to register for a course in the Fall 2026 semester that will take place on Monday afternoons (2:00-5:00pm) at the Bloustein School. Students will do research in partnership with community organizations, will make a public presentation on their work at the end of the Fall semester, and will serve as mentors for ­future Fellows.

Eligibility

Undergraduate applicants from Rutgers-New Brunswick must have completed 60 credits, be in good academic standing, and have completed their English and mathematics requirements prior to applying. 

Application Requirements

Applicants should prepare a packet containing:

1. An unofficial Rutgers transcript showing credits completed to date.
2. A one-page personal statement describing:
   • the applicant’s prior or current experience in community engagement,
   • how they have worked as part of a team (or if they haven’t worked as part of a team, what they think this would look like),
   • and future plans after graduation.
3. A current resume that includes the applicant’s full name, email address, mailing address, current major, and credits completed to date.
4. Two letters of reference/recommendation from professors, community leaders, prior internship supervisors, etc. At least one reference/recommendation should be from a professor.

Completed application packets must be emailed to voorheesfellowship@ejb.rutgers.edu

DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2026.

MORE INFORMATION

Please address all questions via email to voorheesfellowship@ejb.rutgers.edu

Jessica Reyes
Rutgers Bloustein School Student and Academic Services
33 Livingston Avenue; Suite 100
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

About Ralph W. Voorhees

A 1948 graduate of Rutgers University, Mr. Voorhees was senior vice president for investments at Paine Weber and served as chairman of the boards of United Way of Central New Jersey, Family Counseling Services of Middlesex County, the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and the New Brunswick Cultural Center. He has also been chairman of the board of the Rutgers University Foundation and served on the Rutgers University Foundation’s Board of Overseers. Mr. Voorhees has given generously to Rutgers and also supports Voorhees College, a historically black institution in South Carolina.

To learn more about previous Voorhees Fellows and projects, visit the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement website.