RSL Application Process

If you are working with a group or team, select your lead presenter carefully. This individual will likely be the one to submit the application. This individual will be the first point-of-contact, and the one who will be able to make edits to the project details.

Then, use the drop-down to continue adding presenters.

Please include full contact information for each of the presenters. 

If you are working independently, simply complete this form with your personal information. 

You may have 1 or 2 mentors for your project.  The lead mentor must be a Foothill or De Anza faculty or staff member.

Before submitting an application, select your mentor by reaching out to your teachers, counselors, club advisors, or other staff on campus. You can use the sample letter in our Getting Connected page to help you, or reach out to RSLS@fhda.edu for a list of potential mentors.

Please include the full name and contact information for your mentors. All Foothill faculty and staff will have the same format for email: LastNameFirstName@fhda.edu.

Use a descriptive title that clearly captures your project topic and focus. This will help the selection committee.

Academic projects typically use Title: Subtitle. This format allows you to give a powerful title, but offer greater detail on the scope or impact in the subtitle.

There are three main project types listed in the application and an alternative: 

• Research
• Service
• Creative Arts
• Still Deciding/Unknown

While these categories may overlap, we recommend selecting the dominant focus for your project. If your project is a hybrid (science and art, or service and research), or you're still determining the direction your project will ultimately take, you may select "Still Deciding/Unknown." 

By clicking on each within the application form, you will see the drop-down detail for the project description. This is the proposal discussed above!

By clicking on the project type, you will see the drop-down detail for the project description. The suggestions will vary slightly depending on the type of project. 

Use the Guide to a Great Proposal section to help you develop your 100-200 word description.

In general, use the following guidelines: State the topic and focus of your project. Describe your goals and the strategies you will use to achieve them. Explain the potential value of this project to the larger community.

For all project types, provide references to 3 sources that have guided or inspired your project, including initial research. 

Consider references that are relevant and appropriate to your project, including academic articles and studies from reputable and credible sources, as well as websites for service organizations, or videos from artists. For research projects, these sources show us that you are thoughtfully exploring your topic. For service and arts projects, these sources can help us understand the scope or value of your work within the community.

Use the citation format for your discipline. If unsure, use MLA or APA. Use the Foothill Library** tools  to help you research, select, evaluate, and cite high-quality resources.

If you have them, include up to 3 images of your work, including photos, graphs, illustrations, etc. 

These images can be especially beneficial for the selection committee when evaluating creative arts projects, or when you want to illustrate a process or show community service work. 

Once your projects are completed, you will have an opportunity to upload new images for the Gallery page on Canvas