Meet The 2018 Winners

Why Apply

Apply annually for this $4,000 award, which is funded by Nico’s loved ones in his memory. He was one of our important leaders who died in January 2017 just as he was finding himself professionally at the intersection between data informed urban planning and public health.  His dream was to incorporate public health data in transportation strategies for the planned environment. He loved to engage communities in articulating a vision that was safe, healthy and environmentally sustainable, especially in marginalized areas of Los Angeles, the city where he was raised and which he loved.

See If You’re Eligible

This award is for graduate students to continue Nico’s work and design interdisciplinary internships in government agencies or nonprofits whose budgets limit their capacity to offer compensation.  You must:

1. Be a current post baccalaureate student enrolled in a graduate or professional program at a California public or private accredited university. US citizens and non-US citizens are eligible for this award.  Selection Committee members and their relatives, and family members of Nico are not eligible to apply.
2. Have an internship plan at a governmental or nonprofit agency as part of degree program. The government agency or nonprofit must be based and located in the United States.

How To Apply

Email the following to [email protected]:

1. Letter of intent (1 page)
2. Transcripts from current degree program, may be unofficial transcripts at time of application
3. Description of internship/practicum with contact information for responsible party in selected agency
4. Essay identifying interdisciplinary nature of internship and career goals, specifically informed by Nico’s life and published work (1- 2 pages)
5. Two letters of recommendation from academic or professional references, can be sent separately by the recommenders

The deadline to apply is January 23, 2019.

Timeline

Awardees will be:

1. Announced in early April 2019 and may be awarded for summer or fall internships
2. Introduced at an event honoring Nico in May in Los Angeles

Requirements For Awardees

1. Complete a W9 forms for tax purposes.
2. Submit a brief biography and photo for scholarship publicity.
3. Complete a report/survey at the midpoint of their internship.
4. Submit a reflective essay at the completion of their internship. Guidelines will be provided.
5. Report award to the IRS on Form 1099-MISC.

Questions? 

Contact [email protected].

Fund This Campaign

Donate to the Nico Linesch Legacy Fund.  

More About Nico

When Nico returned to the University of California (UC) Davis to complete his graduate work, he found out that the our Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) had few student leaders.  So he brought people together and even hosted many meetings in his home.  Nico was a kind, creative, and collaborative person and will be sorely missed.  Learn more about Nico through his family’s website.  

Reflections From Our Alumnx

“I remember the first time I met Nico at the CSSC Convergence at UC Davis over 10 years ago, his passion, brilliance, ambition, and positive optimism for how to create a more sustainable world deeply inspired me. I am so grateful to have had so many wonderful memories of Nico. My heart goes out to his family, friends and his partner Gene.”
- Katiyana Kittay

“Nico was an angel, he was a powerful being that moved me just through his vulnerability, his passion, and his assuredness.”
– Kase Wheatley

A Light for Endarkened Times (In Memory of Nico Linesch)
In opening moments when I surveyed the CSSC convergence crowds,
Student voices spread from whispers to unhinged tones raptured and loud,

Yet brother Nico seemed to cast his presence in measured gain,
Driving an alternate vision of transportation and planning
like an unstoppable solar powered train.

In an effortless way, he drew out new voices and connected with the old…
With hugs and smiles he welcomed all into the green fold.

Being the long haired food guy who fired up our motely crew
I sensed this brother also had his own witches brew.

And let me tell you…during Spring of 2008
Nico blew my mind with his culinary heavy hitting weight.

Amidst San Francisco’s hosting of Slow Food Nation,
he opened his home for an epic brunch of scone sensations.

From quiche, marmalade, and flowers on the table,
we welcomed in Mother Jones for a real food story cable,

The journalist sought to capture our youth movement through our stories and shared meal…
yet our words were shadows to his flavor and open home feel.
That morning stands out for Nico’s tap root truth, of uplifting his community and causes for care…
In a world now left more bare

from his kindness and nature to fight the good fight
as we carry on drawing from memories soft light.

Deep gratitude and blessings Nico as you set soar from these lands,
left rich with moments never forgotten when lived in heart and hand.

-Tim Galarneau, UC Santa Cruz Alumni, CSSC Foods Campaign Founder, & former CSSC Board of Advisor