Community Bridges

Apply now for Community Bridges!

Application remains open until all spots are filled. The priority deadline is April 1, 2024.

    The Community Bridges program at Rice University’s Kinder Institute for Urban Research addresses urban inequality and poverty issues by pairing academic study with active fieldwork. Rice undergraduate students who are selected to be Community Bridges fellows simultaneously study the theories of urban sociology in the classroom and undertake internships with nonprofit organization partners to carry out research-driven projects. Students earn a total of five upper-level credits while participating in Community Bridges. The program includes fall and spring semester commitments as well as the opportunity for summer fellowships.

    To learn more, attend one of our information sessions in Kraft Hall, conference room 302:

    • February 21 at noon
    • March 26 at noon
    • April 9 at noon

    For more information, contact kinderbridges@rice.edu.


    As a Community Bridges fellow, I had the opportunity to personally interact with members of the community and learn more about the work of nonprofits in communities. Through this experience, I gained valuable insight into health at the community level. As a pre-med student, I have learned plenty about how health is cared for in clinic and hospital settings, but this was the first time I got to see health interventions in a community setting to promote preventative healthcare. This project has greatly fostered my interest in community health as part of my future career path.

    — Nikhita Mummaneni, 2022-2023 Community Bridges Fellow

    Past projects


    Presenting Sponsor

    The 2023-2024 Community Bridges program is supported by CenterPoint Energy.

    Centerpoint Energy

    RELATED URBAN EDGE
    Community Bridges 2023
    Community Bridges fellows continue to advance equitable solutions for Houston
    FEATURES :  Jul. 17, 2023

    In partnership with 16 nonprofit partner organizations, the 27 fellows in the 2022-2023 Community Bridges cohort grappled with urban inequality and poverty issues within Greater Houston communities.

    URBAN DISPARITY
    RELATED URBAN EDGE
    Community Bridges experience studying air quality unlocked a passion for data-driven advocacy in Houston
    PERSPECTIVES :  Dec. 7, 2021

    One of our Community Bridges alumni shares how his experience inspired a data-driven pursuit for environmental justice in Houston.

    RELATED URBAN EDGE
    Community Bridges work demonstrates the need for nonprofits to be responsive, accessible despite disparities
    PERSPECTIVES :  Aug. 18, 2021

    With 25 years of service, the Girls Empowerment Network's focus on listening and being responsive to its clients drove home a key lesson: For any nonprofit to be effective, it needs to continually make its services accessible to people.

    EDUCATION | URBAN DISPARITY
    RELATED URBAN EDGE
    Community Bridges
    In its 10th year, Community Bridges projects confront ever-apparent inequalities in Houston
    FEATURES :  Jun. 3, 2021

    The inequality that exists across Houston neighborhoods has perhaps never been more evident than it has over the past year.

    EDUCATION | HEALTH | HOUSING
    RELATED URBAN EDGE
    A summer fellowship is the bridge to AmeriCorps service in Fifth Ward
    PERSPECTIVES :  Aug. 17, 2020

    The Kinder Institute’s Community Bridges program provides Rice University students an opportunity to both study and work to address urban inequality in Houston. Here’s Susanna Yau’s story of how working with the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation changed her life.

    COVID 19 AND CITIES | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | HEALTH
    Body
    Mailing Address

    6100 Main St. MS-208
    Houston, TX 77005-1892

    kinder@rice.edu
    713-348-4132 

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    Physical Address

    Rice University
    Kraft Hall
    6100 Main Street, Suite 305
    Houston, TX 77005-1892

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