Menlo provides an opportunity for upper school students to compete for funded travel to pursue their interests.

HAND Foundation Fellows

With the generous support of the HAND Foundation, Menlo School has established an award to fund selected upper school students to undertake an in-depth investigation, scholarly research, or social entrepreneurship project within the US or abroad over the summer. Each awarded project is funded up to $4,000 to cover travel, materials, lodging, and expenses. Learn more.

Proposals are evaluated by a panel of Menlo teachers. The selection process is highly competitive and being chosen as a recipient would be a notable distinction. Successful applicants need to demonstrate initiative, a spirit of inquiry and curiosity, and the maturity to undertake such a project. To allow maximum student initiative, the fellowship’s areas of focus are broad: global awareness, societal challenges, and historical and cultural inquiry through research and travel.

Recent winners have gone to Lebanon, Cuba (to study of music), China (to discover heritage), Ireland, Singapore, and Iran (to understand the history of the Persian rug).

Previous Fellows:

• Kian Seddighnezhad ’16:  the evolution, techniques, and significance of the art of Persian rug making
• Jamie Holmstrom ’17 and P.J. Frantz ’17: the music genre “son” and its significance as an artistic symbol of Cuba
• Sadie Bronk ’15: social entrepreneurship in Guatemala (final paper)
• Hanson Tam ’15: democracy in Singapore (final paper)
• Caroline Wheeler ’14: Celtic and Bluegrass Music in Ireland and Nashville