Projectunite Scholar

Mission: “To cultivate the best possible schooling environment for scholars in developing nations”

Vision: “To be the best contributor to the cause of the world where Quality education is the real costless right of every human being on earth”
Core Values:
i. Empowerment: We believe in equipping students with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.
ii. Unity: We value collaboration and working together to achieve their goals.
iii. Hope: We strive to be a beacon of hope for students seeking educational opportunities.
iv. Change: We are committed to making a positive impact on the world through education.

1. Strategic Direction and Constitutional Alignment: Setting the overall strategy to bridge the educational gap in developing nations, ensuring that Projectunite's initiatives align with the principles and values as in the constitution, particularly the right to quality education.

2. Resource Acquisition: Leading efforts to secure funding, support, and collaborations with organizations, institutions, and governments to keep Projectunite's scholarship application guidance programs and the free scholarship portal, enabling more students to access quality education, a constitutional right.

3. Partnership Building: Holding partnerships with other changemakers more especially alumni and students who share the vision of upholding constitutional values and promoting the universal right to education.

4. Public Representation and Advocacy: Serving as the organization's spokesperson, raising awareness about the importance of quality education and advocating for increased access for students in developing nations, in line with constitutional principles.

5. Inspiration and Motivation: Developing Projectunite's spirit of unity, change, and constitutional values, inspiring students and igniting a passion for learning and upholding the principles of the constitution, particularly the right to education.

6. Visionary Leadership: Provide guidance and leadership that keeps the team focused on Projectunite's mission of creating the best possible schooling environment

Our team leader is the Team Lead for this project. We have lots of experience leading education projects in Tanzania. We know the challenges students face there. We are great at planning and getting resources. Our  leadership will be very valuable for guiding the LEAP Project.  

We also have other senior team members with important skills to help with the project. Some have experience managing scholarship programs and giving guidance. Others are good at analyzing data and creating reports. We have skilled communicators too. Together, they will support the Team Lead well.

Even though we have other work, we can make the LEAP Project a priority. We will set aside dedicated time each week just for LEAP Project work, at least 3-4 hours. By working as a team and sharing the tasks, no one will be overloaded. We will focus on the most important activities that have the biggest impact.

The LEAP Project fits perfectly with our mission of helping students in developing countries get quality education. This motivates us deeply. What we learn from LEAP can improve our ongoing scholarship programs too. Its impact will last long after the project ends.

We have strong leadership, a skilled team, smart time management, and total alignment with our core goals. Projectunite Scholar is very well prepared to excel with the LEAP Project. We will give it our full commitment and expertise to create real positive change for students in need.

Projectunite Scholar wants all students to have the right to better education regardless of their financial limitations.

Problem: Talented Students Missing Out Schools due to their financial limitations

Many bright students in developing countries like Tanzania, Burundi, and DR Congo dream of getting a great education, but money stands in their way. Here's why:

 Scholarships are expensive: Often, scholarships cost a lot to apply for, and many students in these countries simply can't afford it.

 Finding scholarships is hard: There are lots of scholarships out there, but it's tough to know where to even look.

 Applying is tricky: Filling out scholarship applications can be confusing, especially if you don't have any help.

Because of these problems, deserving students miss out on scholarships that could change their lives. This means fewer doctors, teachers, and other important people who could help their communities.

Projectunite Scholar: Helping Students Get the Scholarships They Deserve

Projectunite Scholar is here to fix this problem. We believe every student, no matter how much money they have, should have a shot at a great education. Here's what we do:

 We coach students on applying for scholarships: We show them how to find scholarships, write winning essays, and get strong recommendation letters.

 We have a free scholarship website: This website makes it easy for students to find scholarships they can apply for.

Generally by helping students with these challenges, Projectunite Scholar levels the playing field and gives them a fighting chance to win scholarships and reach their full potential.

Imagining of a brilliant student in a country like Tanzania, and a student dream of pursuing her or his dreams in the school which will support her or his talents and ambitions or studying abroad. The good news is, there are organizations and groups which provide financial support out there to help a student achieve that dream! But the bad news is, applying for scholarships can be confusing and expensive due to lack of exposure and experience or sometimes requirements. That's where Projectunite Scholar comes in, like a student’s personal financial aid dream team!

Finding the Perfect Financial Aid Match:

 We don't throw a student a bunch of options like other scholarship agencies do; we help a student find scholarships that fit a student perfectly. We consider a student’s grades, interests, and what a student want to study.

Acing A student’s Financial Aid Application:

 Filling out financial aid applications can feel like a maze. But don't worry, we're a student’s guides! We offer workshops and coaching to help a student understand what financial aid committees are looking for.

 We'll show a student how to write winning essays that tell a student’s unique story and make a student stand out from the crowd.

 Need help getting strong recommendation letters from teachers? We've got tips for that too!

Making Scholarships Affordable:

 Many scholarships cost money to apply for, which can be a big problem. But with Projectunite Scholar, a student doesn't have to worry about that! Our financial aids blog and coaching are completely free.

Basically, we give a student the tools and knowledge a student needs to compete for scholarships, even if a student doesn't have a lot of money. 

Programs report link here

We are a relatively young organization, we recognize the importance of evidence-based practice in demonstrating the effectiveness of our scholarship guidance program.  However, due to our limited operational history, we haven't yet conducted  large-scale  summative research studies like randomized controlled trials but here's how we are currently working to build our evidence base:

1. Internal Data Tracking: We  track key program metrics such as student participation rates, completion rates for our online modules and coaching sessions, and scholarship application submissions.  While not definitive proof of impact, this data provides initial insights into student engagement and potential program influence on application behavior. 
2. Mentorship program Feedback:  We actively solicit feedback from students who participate in our program. This feedback, through google forms surveys and interviews, allows us to understand their experience with Projectunite Scholar, identify areas for improvement, and gather anecdotal evidence of the program's perceived value.
3. Case Studies: We are developing case studies that highlight the success stories of students who have secured scholarships through Projectunite Scholar's guidance.  These case studies personalize the impact of our program and offer valuable insights into how our services empower students.

We acknowledge the limitations of our current approach and understand the need for more robust research to definitively demonstrate the impact of Projectunite Scholar's program.  Here's how we plan to move forward:

1. LEAP Project Collaboration:  We view the LEAP Project as a valuable opportunity to  partner with research experts and design a  quasi-experimental  research plan. This will allow us to  more rigorously measure  the program's effect on student scholarship application success rates.
2. Seeking Research Partnerships: We are actively exploring collaborations with universities or research institutions  to conduct  longitudinal studies  that track student outcomes beyond scholarship applications. This will provide a more comprehensive picture of the program's impact on educational attainment and career trajectories.
3. Building a Culture of Evidence-Based Practice:  We are committed to integrating data collection and analysis into our core program activities. This will ensure we continuously gather evidence on program effectiveness and use those insights to refine and improve our services over time.

Internal Data and Early User Feedback:

1. Engagement Rates: Our initial data shows promising signs of student engagement. We see a good completion rate for our online modules and coaching sessions, suggesting students are actively participating in the program.
2. Positive Feedback: Feedback surveys and interviews reveal student satisfaction with the program's resources and guidance. Students report feeling more confident and prepared to navigate the scholarship application process.
3. Increased Application Submissions: While we cannot definitively link this to program impact yet, we've observed a rise in the number of scholarship applications submitted by students who participate in Projectunite Scholar compared to a baseline period before the program's launch.

These early indicators, while not conclusive, suggest that Projectunite Scholar's program is well-received by students and has the potential to increase their engagement with the scholarship application process.

Informing Our Work:

1. Content Refinement: Feedback highlights areas where our online modules and coaching sessions can be improved. We can tailor content delivery to address student needs more effectively and ensure the information resonates with them.
2. Targeted Outreach: Analyzing user data helps us identify student demographics that might benefit most from the program. This allows us to target our outreach efforts more efficiently, reaching students who are most likely to engage and benefit from Projectunite Scholar's guidance.
3. Developing Success Stories: Positive user experiences can be documented as case studies, showcasing the program's impact on real students. These stories can be powerful tools for motivating other students and attracting new participants.

Projectunite Scholar wants all students to have the right to better education. Our programs that guide students in accessing better education regardless of  their financial limitations and our free mentorships have helped many students. But we know it is important to make the evidence for our solution stronger so we can have even greater impact. Doing a LEAP Project now is a good and crucial chance to take our efforts to the next level.

We believe this is the right time for Projectunite Scholar to do a LEAP Project because:

First, Expanding for Broader Impact: Projectunite Scholar has helped many students get scholarships for international education. However, we currently reach a limited number, and we want to significantly expand our impact. 

Secondly, Show Effectiveness:By carefully evaluating through the LEAP Project, we can provide strong data-driven proof that our scholarship guidance programs improve students' success rates in applications. We can use this data to attract more partner institutions and funders, allowing us to reach and serve a wider student population.

Furthermore, improving Our Approach: The LEAP Project's research part will enable us to identify areas within our program that can be further optimized for greater impact. We can then tailor our guidance programs to different student profiles and scholarship types, ensuring maximum effectiveness for diverse student needs.

Also, influencing Policy and Advocacy: Robust evidence from the LEAP Project will empower us to advocate for more accessible and transparent scholarship application processes on a larger scale. This advocacy can influence policymakers and educational institutions to create a more equitable scholarship landscape for students in developing nations.

While we have seen success stories, we lack measurable data to fully understand our program's impact. The LEAP Project will help us address this gap by:

Measuring Outcomes: We plan to establish clear metrics to track key program outcomes, such as application completion rates, scholarship application success rates, and student satisfaction with our guidance services. This data will be crucial for demonstrating the program's effectiveness and informing future improvements.

Attract Top Talent: A strong foundation in data-driven decision making will position Projectunite Scholar as a forward-thinking organization. This can attract high-caliber staff members who share our passion for educational equity and evidence-based solutions.

Identifying Untapped Potential: The LEAP Project's research phase might reveal previously unknown factors influencing student scholarship success. We can integrate this new knowledge into our guidance programs to further empower students and optimize their application strategies.

Building an Evidence-Based Approach: Participating in a LEAP Project perfectly aligns with our commitment to fostering a data-driven approach within Projectunite Scholar. By actively engaging in research and evaluation, we aim to:

Promote Continuous Improvement: The LEAP Project will establish a robust framework for ongoing program evaluation. This will allow us to continuously refine our services based on data-driven insights, ensuring long-term sustainability and effectiveness.

1. Do the students that use our mentorship programs get accepted for significantly more scholarships compared to students that don't use our services?

2. Can we identify which specific parts of our program help students be most successful in their financial aid applications? This would allow us to customize our guidance for different types of students.

3. Besides directly helping students, can we see any broader effects from our program at the institutions we partner with? For example, do the financial aids improve in quality overall, or do the selection criteria become more fair?

1. Impact on Student Success Rates

 While a randomized controlled trial (RCT) would be ideal, we acknowledge the feasibility limitations within the LEAP Project timeframe. A well-designed quasi-experimental study can still provide valuable insights into the program's impact.
 LEAP Fellow Activities:
     i. Conduct a literature review on existing research methodologies for evaluating educational intervention programs.
     ii. Collaborate with Projectunite Scholar staff to refine the research question and identify relevant program outcomes to be measured (eexample financial aid award rate).
    iii. Develop a detailed quasi-experimental design, outlining comparison groups (intervention vs. control) and data collection methods (e.g., pre- and post-program surveys with participating students).
     iv. Data collection plan, including instruments (surveys, application tracking data) and data analysis procedures.

2. A mixed-methods research design combining user interviews with quantitative data analysis.

This approach allows us to gather in-depth qualitative feedback from students while leveraging program data to identify patterns and trends.
 LEAP Fellow Activities:
     i. Design and conduct semi-structured interviews with a representative sample of students who have used our program. 
     ii. Analyze interview data to identify program elements students find particularly helpful or areas for improvement. 
     iii. Collaborate with Projectunite Scholar staff to explore potential correlations between specific program elements and student profiles (e.g., academic background, scholarship type).
     iv. Utilize existing program data (e.g., application completion rates) to further explore connections between program elements and student success.

3. A case study design focusing on a selection of partnered institutions.

 For a given a project's time constraints, a focused case study approach can provide valuable insights into potential ripple effects of Projectunite Scholar's work.
 LEAP Fellow Activities:
    i. Conduct a literature review on research exploring the impact of scholarship guidance programs on partnered institutions.
    ii. Identify a selection of partnered institutions with diverse characteristics to participate in the case study.
    iii. Develop a data collection plan for each case study, potentially including interviews with admissions staff and analysis of institutional application data (with permission).
     iv. Analyze case study data to explore potential changes in application processes at partnered institutions, focusing on aspects like application quality or selection criteria. 

We believe the importance of data collection feasibility within the project timeframe. The LEAP Fellows can recommend data collection methods that are efficient and reliable, leveraging existing data sources where possible, because
i. Dissemination Plan:  While in-depth analysis may require additional time beyond the LEAP Project, the Fellows can recommend key dissemination strategies for the research findings. This could include developing a summary report for internal stakeholders or a brief publication highlighting key takeaways.
ii. Sustainability:  A crucial output will be the Fellows' recommendations for ongoing program evaluation and data collection processes. This will ensure Projectunite Scholar can build a long-term system for measuring program effectiveness and continuously improve its services.

By taking a comprehensive approach to utilizing the LEAP Project outputs, Projectunite Scholar believes that the 12-week sprint can have a lasting positive impact on both our organization and the overall effectiveness of our scholarship guidance solution. This is as per as follows

Action Plan for Research Outputs:

1.  Refining Our Research Approach:  Following the LEAP Project, we will dedicate resources to further refine the proposed research designs based on the Fellows' recommendations. This may involve consultations with external research experts to finalize methodologies and data collection tools.
2. Implementation and Data Collection:  With a finalized research plan in hand, we will initiate data collection activities, potentially including surveys with program participants, interviews with partnered institutions, and analysis of existing program data.
3. Data Analysis and Reporting:  We will invest in data analysis gain meaningful insights from the collected data.  This will involve collaborating with the LEAP Fellows or engaging external data analysts, depending on the complexity of the research design.
4. Dissemination and Advocacy:  We plan to disseminate the research findings through multiple channels, including reports for internal stakeholders, presentations, and potentially a publication summarizing key takeaways.  This will allow us to share our learnings with the broader educational community and advocate for the importance of evidence-based scholarship guidance programs.

Long-Term Outcomes for Projectunite:

1. Enhanced Credibility and Scalability:  Robust evidence of our program's effectiveness, as demonstrated by the LEAP Project research, will significantly enhance Projectunite's credibility. This will empower us to attract more partner institutions and secure additional funding, allowing us to scale our program and reach a wider student population in developing nations.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making:  The LEAP Project will establish a framework for ongoing program evaluation within Projectunite Scholar.  By regularly measuring program impact and identifying areas for improvement, we can ensure our services remain data-driven and continuously optimized for maximum effectiveness.
3.  Increased Visibility and Impact:   Publishing research findings and actively sharing our learnings will position Projectunite Scholar as a thought leader in the field of scholarship guidance for students in developing nations.  This increased visibility will allow us to connect with potential collaborators and further amplify our impact on the educational landscape.

Long-Term Outcomes for Our Scholarship Guidance Solution:

1. Standardized Best Practices:  The LEAP Project research will help us identify and refine the most effective elements of our scholarship guidance program.  These standardized best practices can then be integrated into training materials for staff and potentially shared with other organizations working in the same domain.
2. Evidence-Based Advocacy:  The research will provide compelling evidence for the positive impact of scholarship guidance programs like ours.  This data can be used to advocate for increased support from policymakers and educational institutions, ultimately leading to a more robust scholarship landscape that better serves students in developing nations.
3. Sustainable and Scalable Model:  By strengthening the  evidence base of our program, we can create a more sustainable and scalable model for scholarship guidance. This will ensure long-term effectiveness and allow us to continue empowering students to achieve their educational goals through strategic scholarship applications.

 i. Refining Our Research Approach:  Following the LEAP Project, we will dedicate resources to further refine the proposed research designs based on the Fellows' recommendations. This may involve consultations with external research experts to finalize methodologies and data collection tools.
 ii. Implementation and Data Collection:  With a finalized research plan in hand, we will initiate data collection activities, potentially including surveys with program participants, interviews with partnered institutions, and analysis of existing program data.
 Data Analysis and Reporting:  We will invest in data analysis to  extract meaningful insights from the collected data.  This will involve collaborating with the LEAP Fellows or engaging external data analysts, depending on the complexity of the research design. 
 iii. Dissemination and Advocacy:  We plan to disseminate the research findings through multiple channels, including reports for internal stakeholders, presentations at relevant conferences, and potentially a publication summarizing key takeaways.  This will allow us to share our learnings with the broader educational community and advocate for the importance of evidence-based scholarship guidance programs.

Long-Term Outcomes for Projectunite Scholar:

 i.Increased Visibility and Impact:   Publishing research findings and actively sharing our learnings will position Projectunite Scholar as a thought leader in the field of scholarship guidance for students in developing nations.  This increased visibility will allow us to connect with potential collaborators and further amplify our impact on the educational landscape.
 ii. Data-Driven Decision Making:  The LEAP Project will establish a framework for ongoing program evaluation within Projectunite Scholar.  By regularly measuring program impact and identifying areas for improvement, we can ensure our services remain data-driven and continuously optimized for maximum effectiveness.
 iii. Enhanced Credibility and Scalability:  Robust evidence of our program's effectiveness, as demonstrated by the LEAP Project research, will significantly enhance Projectunite Scholar's credibility. This will empower us to attract more partner institutions and secure additional funding, allowing us to scale our program and reach a wider student population in developing nations. 

Long-Term Outcomes for Our Mentorship Guidance Solution:

 i.Standardized Best Practices:  The LEAP Project research will help us identify and refine the most effective elements of our scholarship guidance program.  These standardized best practices can then be integrated into training materials for staff and potentially shared with other organizations working in the same domain. 
 ii.Evidence-Based Advocacy:  The research will provide compelling evidence for the positive impact of scholarship guidance programs like ours.  This data can be used to advocate for increased support from policymakers and educational institutions, ultimately leading to a more robust scholarship landscape that better serves students in developing nations. 
 iii.Sustainable and Scalable Model:  By strengthening the  evidence base of our program, we can create a more sustainable and scalable model for scholarship guidance. This will ensure long-term effectiveness and allow us to continue empowering students to achieve their educational goals through strategic scholarship applications.