Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply?
When will the 2007-2008 application open?
Can I apply if I am graduating from high school in the spring of 2007?
Can I apply this year if I applied last year?
Do I have to live in the United States to apply?
What do NetAid Global Action Award honorees receive?
What are the selection criteria?
What kind of projects are we looking for? How are the honorees chosen?
Why is NetAid honoring young people?
When will the 2006-2007 Global Action Award honorees be announced?
Who were the 2005 NetAid Global Action Awards honorees?
Can anyone help me write my application?
I have done some work related to global poverty, but I'm not sure if it is enough. Should I still apply?
I haven't done work to fight global poverty, but I want to get involved. Should I apply for a NetAid Global Action Award?
How do I get in touch with NetAid?
Who should apply?
High school students living in the U.S. who have organized and led a project that has directly impacted people in poor countries, or raised awareness about global poverty in their own community.
When will the 2007-2008 application open?
The application for the 2007-2008 Global Action Awards is now open.
Can I apply if I am graduating from high school in the spring of 2007?
Yes. You are eligible for the award as long as your project took place while you were a high school student.
Can I apply this year if I applied last year?
If you have never received NetAid Global Action Award and you meet the other terms of eligibility, you can apply for a NetAid Global Action Award this year.
Do I have to live in the United States to apply?
Yes, you do have to be a resident of the United States to qualify for the Global Action Awards. However, in future years, we plan to expand the awards to other regions of the world.
What do Global Action Award honorees receive?
Honorees receive $5,000 for their higher education or a charitable cause of their choice.
What are the selection criteria?
- INNOVATION: Did you use an original approach?
- COOPERATION: Did you effectively involve others?
- LEADERSHIP: Did you display leadership in working with others?
- INSPIRATION: Did you inspire others?
- IMPACT: Did your work directly impact people living in poor countries or raise awareness in your own community about global poverty?
What kind of projects are we looking for?
Projects may involve organizing advocacy campaigns, raising funds, volunteering, or using media and technology to involve others in the fight against global poverty. Issues addressed by projects should be global in nature and may include but are not limited to:
- Alleviating hunger.
- Promoting human rights, children's rights or gender equity.
- Increasing access to clean drinking water, healthcare or education.
- Preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Tuberculosis or other diseases.
- Supporting a sustainable environment.
How are the honorees chosen?
A prestigious panel of judges selects the honorees. Past judges have included Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and Anchor of NBC News' "Today" and co-anchor of "Dateline NBC," Ann Curry. View the 2006 judges>>
Why is Mercy Corps honoring young people?
Building a better world - one in which all people can live in dignity and realize their basic human rights - requires a new generation of leaders. These rising leaders must understand the complexities and responsibilities that come with living in an interconnected world.
The leaders of tomorrow are already out there. They take bold actions, devise innovative solutions and mobilize others to effect lasting social change. Global Action Awards are rewarding their efforts, supporting their work, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
When will the 2006-2007 Global Action Award honorees be announced?
The 2006-2007 honorees will be announced in late spring 2007.
Who were the 2005 Global Action Awards honorees?
In 2005, NetAid recognized five exceptional young leaders whose work included supporting the education of children orphaned by AIDS in Uganda, raising awareness about the crisis in Darfur, supporting homes for AIDS orphans in Kenya, and raising funds for Sri Lankans in the wake of the tsunami. Learn more about the 2005 honorees >>
Can anyone help me write my application?
Others can give you feedback and general advice on your application, but they cannot write it for you. If NetAid finds that you have not written your own application, you will be disqualified.
I have done some work related to global poverty, but I'm not sure if it is enough. Should I still apply?
Yes, you should still apply. Mercy Corps is looking for a diverse range of applicants and projects that meet the five selection criteria.
I haven't done work to fight global poverty yet, but I want to get involved. Should I apply for a Global Action Award?
Global Action Awards honor high school students who have already taken action to fight global poverty. If you would like to get involved in the fight against global poverty, join the Global Citizen Corps.
Global Citizen Corps (GCC) is a national network of high school students working to educate and mobilize their peers in efforts to end global poverty.
Learn more about the GCC>>
How do I get in touch with Mercy Corps?
If you have further questions about the Global Action Awards, feel free to email: gaa@nyc.mercycorps.org.
