Connecting for social impact
"Our CONNECT Fellow provided a wealth of useful information
that will positively impact the Dana Center for many years to come."
- Afi Wiggins
The Challenge
Nonprofits are at the forefront of solving complex social issues. CONNECT offers nonprofits an opportunity to address data and evaluation challenges to:
Understand their client or community landscape
Gain meaningful insights into their work
Achieve their desired social impact
Outputs & Outcomes
172
Projects
95
Unique Organizations
98%
Satisfaction Rate
$1.5M
of Project Deliverables
Project Categories
Measurement Strategy
Defining programmatic outcomes, identifying measurable indicators, and developing evaluation frameworks.
Data collection & tool development
Developing or improving strategy and design methods for collecting and tracking program success.
Data interpretation & Analysis
Analyzing results over time and interpreting or communicating them to various stakeholders.
Advanced Analytics
Beyond basic data analysis.
Project Spotlights
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and Application
Who can apply to the CONNECT Program?
The CONNECT Program is open to any graduate student currently enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and to community organizations with a research, data, or program evaluation challenge. Organizations do not need to be based in Texas.
What’s the difference between a CONNECT Fellow and an intern?
CONNECT Fellows serve as consultants with specific expertise in data evaluation, providing deliverables tied to a scoped project (typically 12-16 weeks, sometimes spanning multiple semesters). Fellows are awarded a $2,000 fellowship for their work and may occasionally receive academic credit.
Interns are embedded staff members, often performing a range of tasks with regular guidance from their organization. Internships are frequently connected to students’ career goals and may offer academic credit, though compensation varies.
When can I apply for the CONNECT Program?
CONNECT aligns with UT Austin’s academic schedule, offering Fall, Spring, and Summer cohorts. Application deadlines vary:
Graduate Students:
Spring 2025: November 4 - 29
Summer 2025: March 10 - April 4
Organizations:
Spring 2025: November 15
Summer 2025: March 14
Matching and Project Engagement
How does the matching process work?
Organizations submit project requests.
Graduate Students fill out a profile form.
Matching is based on project requirements and student availability, skills and interests.
Notifications: Contingency notifications are sent to students, followed by organization notifications with student profiles.
Confirmation: Once both parties accept, CONNECT coordinates the project kick-off.
Can organizations participate multiple times?
Yes, organizations may submit multiple or phased projects over different cohorts.
Can my organization interview our matched CONNECT Fellow?
Organizations do not have the opportunity to interview the CONNECT Fellow(s) matched with their project(s). However, organizations receive the Fellow’s profile and resume to review. Please specify “non-negotiable” skills in your project description to ensure a suitable match.
Typical Project Structure
What does a typical CONNECT project look like?
Projects are generally 3-4 months, requiring about 10 flexible work hours per week. Most projects are remote, though specific engagement details can be found in the project library.
Can I fulfill an internship requirement through CONNECT?
Graduate students are responsible for obtaining approval from their advisors if they wish to use a CONNECT project to fulfill academic requirements.
Will I work alone or with a partner?
Most projects are designed for one student, though occasional projects may allow for two students as a team.
Does CONNECT participation affect student employment opportunities?
No, participation is voluntary, and the fellowship is considered taxable income, which may affect financial aid. Additional tax considerations are available.
Funding and Fees
Is this a funded opportunity for students?
Yes, each CONNECT Fellow receives a $2,000 fellowship. Note that financial aid and tuition loans may affect fellowship disbursements.
What is the cost for organizations to participate?
Organizations matched with a CONNECT Fellow pay a program fee to support fellowships and operational costs. Fees vary:
Nonprofits:
Under $500K budget: $2,000
$500K - $2M budget: $4,000
Over $2M budget: $6,000
Nonprofit organizations with budget constraints can apply for a fee waiver. For-profit organizations are charged $5,000–$10,000.
How does my organization pay the fee?
Invoices are sent after the kick-off meeting, payable by check or ACH within 60 days.
Additional Information and Engagement
How can organizations engage more with UT Austin graduate students?
CONNECT is part of the Office of Career & Life Design at the UT Austin Graduate School. For deeper collaboration, contact Zachary Carr.
CONNECT Impact Reports
Our Approach
The CONNECT program connects social impact organizations with highly-skilled graduate student fellows, providing high-impact capacity in data, measurement and evaluation. The program achieves this through personalized intake with nonprofit organizations, recruitment of skilled graduate students at The University of Texas at Austin, fellowships to recognize program participation, a project matching algorithm to ensure a good fit between organization and student and ongoing project support leading to high-quality, actionable deliverables.
Our Funders
Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
Bill Wood Foundation
St. David's Foundation
Ready to Apply?
I'm a graduate student with data skills.
Let's connect your data skills with an organization that needs your help.
My organization has a data challenge.
We can get you the help you need to solve your data challenge.