Application Information

The Vredenburg Administrators understand that planning for summer experiences is difficult and sometimes opportunities fall through at the last minute. To accommodate this and reduce the chance of having to do a last-minute application, students may submit up to two project/program applications for Vredenburg.

A completed application for the Vredenburg Travel Fund will contain the below components. The applications for Summer 2026 open November 3, 2025 and student submissions are due February 20, 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted, no exceptions.

Components of an Application

Intent to Apply Form

Students must submit an intent to apply before submitting their full application. This submission requires preliminary information including your name, primary major, and contact; the type of project, location, and approximate dates; the host organization and contact; and your faculty recommender. Once the intent to apply is submitted, the host and faculty recommender will be automatically emailed with the request to complete their respective forms. Submission of the intent to apply is due by February 20, 2026, however since the contact of faculty and hosts are contingent on submission of this form, students are advised to submit ahead of this date.

We highly encourage students to submit the intent to apply well in advance of the application deadline, but not before discussing their Vredenburg plans with their faculty recommender and confirming their willingness to submit.

GEO Application Submission and Approval

Students are required to meet with Crystal Yuille, the Global Education Advisor for engineering, prior to submission of their application. If considering multiple opportunities, each opportunity must be reviewed with Crystal. GEO requires an application to study abroad; an approved GEO application is required for each project being considered for Vredenburg.

Host Commitment

If you are pursuing a program or opportunity which is not a Hopkins Summer program, you must identify an individual from the organization or program who can serve as the “host” and who is willing to complete the Host Commitment form. On the form, this individual will need to indicate that you have applied to the program (or are actively coordinating with the individual in the case of independently-sourced opportunities) and will be notified of your acceptance in the “host” program no later than the third week of March.

Upon submission of your intent to apply, your host will receive an email notification with a link to the appropriate commitment form. Students will be able to track whether they have responded in their application information, but will not have access to their submissions. Host commitments must be received by February 27, 2026.

Note: If you are applying to a GEO partnership program, your host commitment will be completed by an advisor in the Global Office of Education.

Faculty Recommendation

Students must select a faculty member with primary appointment in WSE as their recommender. Upon submission of your intent to apply, your faculty recommender will receive an email notification with a link to the appropriate recommendation or commitment form. Students will be able to track whether they have responded in their application information, but will not have access to their submissions.

If you are unsure if your recommender is eligible, please check with the Vredenburg Administrator. We highly encourage students to submit the intent to apply well in advance of the application deadline, but not before discussing their Vredenburg plans with their faculty recommender and confirming their willingness to submit. Faculty recommendations must be received by February 27, 2026.

Project Proposal Form

The project proposal portion of the application consists of three written components and a budget estimate for the proposed experience. Students cannot access the project proposal portion of the application until the intent to apply has been submitted. Drafts of the proposal are able to be saved and returned to before final submission. Project proposals are due February 20, 2026. You will receive an email confirmation when your form is submitted.

Each statement of purpose in the project proposal should be between 250 to 700 words; applicants should aim to be detailed and intentional in their responses. The prompts are as follows:

1. Description of activity: Include some background information on the organization. Be as specific about your proposed role as possible, including what steps you have taken in the planning process. Also, note why the project is of interest to you and what you hope to gain from the experience. The explanation of the proposed project can be technical in nature.
2. Academic/Professional Relevance: A statement of how this project will enhance your academic program at Johns Hopkins and/or impact your future career goals.
3. Cultural Relevance: Why this location? Why is it of interest to you? Note, if your project involves traveling to a country in which you have previously lived, worked, traveled, or studied, you should explain what makes this a new opportunity rather than a repetition of a previous experience.

CV/Resume

An updated version of your CV/resume should be uploaded with your project proposal form.

Selection Criteria

Applicants are encouraged to make alternate summer plans in the event that they are not selected to receive the Vredenburg Travel Fund.

The following factors will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications:

• Project/program significance and impact on the applicant’s engineering studies and future career plans
• Cultural component: rationale for choosing the location, cultural competency and engagement with host country’s culture
• Level of effort into planning and details regarding project shared
• Firm commitment from the hosting organization/lab/company
• Level of faculty endorsement, sponsorship, or connection
• Academic record (3.0 or above preferred, but there is no set minimum GPA; however, students must be in good academic standing at the time of application)

Statement on Using AI Tools in Your Application

Applicants are welcome to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT or Grammarly) to support the development and refinement of their application materials. Appropriate uses may include brainstorming ideas, clarifying phrasing, or improving grammar and organization. However, applicants are expected to ensure that all content genuinely reflects their own ideas, goals, and experiences.

AI tools should not be used to generate full responses to application questions or essays from short prompts, nor should applicants submit AI-generated text without significant personal revision and input. Reviewers will be assessing authenticity, reflection, and personal voice—qualities that cannot be produced by AI alone.

By submitting an application, you affirm that the ideas and narrative presented are your own and that any AI assistance was limited to editing or idea development.

Begin Your Application

Once you have read all information on this page, begin the application process by submitting your intent to apply.

Submission of the intent to apply is due by February 20, 2026, however since the contact of faculty and hosts are contingent on submission of this form, students are advised to submit ahead of this date.

You will receive a confirmation email of your intent to apply with instructions on how to continue your full application.