Apply for the Kennedy Award

Dr. Leslie W. Kennedy MA Community Research Award

This award celebrates the contributions of Professor Leslie W. Kennedy to criminology, criminal justice, and Rutgers University Newark School of Criminal Justice. Dr. Kennedy was Dean of the School of Criminal Justice faculty from 1998 to 2007 and University Professor from 2007 to 2023. This award honors Dr. Kennedy’s scholarship, teaching, and service to the School, and his commitment to community-based research.

Award recipients receive a $500 tuition credit in their spring semester and a $1,000 stipend after submitting deliverable. 

Award Focus

The research award is for projects that involve community engagement in the fields of criminal and/or social justice. Projects may include reviews of research, secondary data analyses, or feasibility studies for original projects that require primary data collection.

Application Details

Interested students must submit a 3–5-page (double-spaced) letter of interest detailing their proposed project. They should also identify a faculty member who agrees to help guide their project. The letter of interest should contain the following:

  • An introduction to the proposed project.
  • A statement of why the proposed project should be funded. Every investment in a project means not investing in others. Why is the project worthier of funding than others?
  • A brief description of your proposed methodology.
  • A brief description of your proposed deliverable (e.g., report, paper, presentation).
  • A brief description of how they will work with their faculty sponsor during the project.
  • A timeline
  • A concluding paragraph with a summarization.

Submission Procedures

Email your application to Assistant Dean Jimmy Camacho, and copy MA Director Professor Joel Miller and your faculty sponsor. Use the Subject Line: Kennedy Award Application. Applications must be submitted by October 31. The MA Program Committee will make award decisions and notify recipients each November. Please contact Dean Camacho if you have questions.