Cornell RANA Prize Application

The R-Adhikarya “Niche” Award (RANA) empowers students to pursue innovative thinking in their studies and careers with a focus on Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia. The $10,000 prize to a graduate student in Global Development recognizes young visionaries who dare to think differently. The prize will provide financial assistance to a matriculated Ph.D. or professional master's (MPS) student in the Department of Global Development who is interested in studying and solving important contemporary problems and/or futuristic societal needs/wants not currently being considered or significantly addressed by others. Note: Global Development will seek to award admitted MPS students during odd years (i.e. 2025, 2027, etc.) and a Ph.D. students during even years (i.e. 2026, 2028, etc.). If a Development Studies PhD student is awarded the prize, the funds will be prioritized as a summer stipend source and the graduate field will top off the prize to the full summer stipend amount.

The application period for the RANA Prize is now closed. Applications for the 2026 RANA Prize will open in October of 2025. The winner will be announced by December 1, and the funding will be available by December 15. 

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Describe your project or idea, and what it is your project will contribute to or achieve. Your vision statement may have professional, societal and personal aspects to it and should describe how you plan to achieve it. How does the RANA Prize fit into your plans? (Not to exceed 500 words).
What unique or disruptive ideas are contained within your vision? (Not to exceed three sentences.)