The Registered Student Organization Fellowship is awarded annually to an academic or service-oriented Registered Student Organization (RSO) at George Mason University to provide a space for community building with the University Libraries and within the RSO. In addition to having available space for RSO meetings, the Fellowship awards funds for library-centered events or programming. Any RSO with an academic or service-oriented mission is eligible and encouraged to apply. The selection committee will be especially interested in Fellowship applications with a vision for how they might collaborate with the University Libraries during the academic year.

The RSO Fellowship provides:

  • Weekly access to 1009 Fenwick Library (a room with capacity for up to 20 people) for organization meetings for the fall and spring semesters during the evening (after 4:30pm). The RSO can pick a day of the week for this access.
  • Up to $1,500 of funding for library-focused events or programming, such as speaker honoraria, library collections, or supplies for an RSO event aligned with the University Libraries strategic goals. If the RSO would like to purchase items outside of what is in this list, please contact Audrey Richardson, First Year Experience Librarian, at aricha40@gmu.edu before sending in the application.

The RSO Fellowship application deadline is September 25, 2025.
The 2025–2026 RSO Fellowship will be announced by October 15, 2025.

Application Guidelines

The application proposal should be brief (2–3 pages), in 12-pt. font. Although there is no required format for the application, it will facilitate the work of the selection committee if the following points are clearly addressed:

  • Summary of your RSO’s mission and vision with a clear description of how your RSO is academic-focused or service-oriented.
  • Description of how you will use the library space.
  • Vision for how your RSO and the University Libraries will partner.
  • Proposed budget for the funds awarded with the Fellowship.

Additionally, your application should be accompanied by a statement of support from your RSO’s faculty advisor or another George Mason faculty member via this linked statement of support Qualtrics form.

Submission Procedure

Only one proposal per RSO. One electronic copy of the proposal should be forwarded to library@gmu.edu. Applications are considered complete only after the application and the required statement of support are submitted.

Evaluation Procedure

The selection committee consists of three librarians or classified staff members of the University Libraries. The Dean of Libraries appoints all evaluators. After reviewing all applications, the selection committee will submit their recommendation to the Dean of Libraries for the final decision.

Requirements of the Fellowship

As a recipient of the RSO Fellowship, you commit to:

  • Adhering to Library community standards and expectations, group study room use policies , and any other applicable Library policies.
  • Providing feedback to the University Libraries twice a year (fall and spring semesters) through a brief meeting with Meg Meiman, the Associate University Librarian for Learning, Research and Engagement and convener of the Student Library Advisory Committee.
  • Depositing relevant RSO records to the University Archives to record the history of your organization and your partnership with the University Libraries; for this, please contact Bob Vay, University Archivist at rvay@gmu.edu.
  • Requesting items to be purchased with the Fellowship funding no later than January 30, 2025 by sending the list to Audrey Richardson, First Year Experience Librarian, at aricha40@gmu.edu. If the RSO Fellow uses Fellowship funding to purchase library collections, all library research materials acquired on behalf of the RSO will remain the property of the University Libraries.

For additional information, please write to Audrey Richardson, First Year Experience Librarian, at aricha40@gmu.edu.