In 2020, Drs. Bharat and Bharati Mody established The Mody Endowed Fund in Service Learning at The Center for Gifted Studies with the hope of passing on their lifelong commitment to serving their communities and sparking a passion for volunteerism among high-achieving young people. As part of this initiative, The Center offers two competitions for young people who wish to develop an original service learning project or to develop and expand an existing project in response to a specific need in their community.
Projects should conclude by May 2026. Award recipients will be required to provide a written report on the impact of their work and what they have learned.
Make a Difference Competition for Students in Kentucky
Students in grades 7-12 who attend a Kentucky school in 2025-26 can participate in this category, which has three awards. Students may choose to create a new project or to develop or expand an existing project.
1st Place: $1,500 | 2nd Place: $1,000 | 3rd Place: $500
Make a Difference Microgrants Competition for Students from SCATS, VAMPY, and The Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in Kentucky
Ten microgrants of $500 will be awarded to create a service learning project or to develop or expand an existing project. This competition is open to students who have attended SCATS or VAMPY (in the years 2023 - 2025) or are current Gatton Academy students.
Applications are due October 18, 2025.
Past Projects
Not sure where to start? Read about past projects in The Center's Challenge magazine (pp. 16-17).
Application Review
For both competitions, applications will be reviewed on the following criteria:
- Does the application clearly and effectively show that the community problem/need exists and should be addressed?
- For new projects/initiatives: Does the application demonstrate why a new project/initiative is needed?
- For expanding on existing projects/initiatives: Does the application explain why the existing project/initiative should be developed or expanded?
- Does the application explain the project and its steps clearly and effectively?
- Does the application demonstrate a clear understanding of how the proposed project will address the community problem/need?
- Does the application demonstrate an awareness of possible challenges and how to overcome them?
- Does the application show how the effectiveness of the project can be assessed?
- Does the application have a budget that is realistic and appropriate?
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