Participation Fee


The Public Service Clinics and Degree Project Seminars participation fee is $1,250 for each successful student-agency match. A combination of funds from the University of Washington and this fee cover the administrative costs for the Clinics and Seminars with the full cost of instruction being paid by the Evans School.

In addition to helping make the program financially viable, the fee offers the benefit of ensuring a rewarding match because it invests both the agency and the student in the applied research product. This mutual investment is agreed upon in a letter drafted by the student and your agency contact that explicitly states the:

  • Duration of the project, typically January through June
  • Description of the research topic
  • Definition of the end product or deliverable
  • Identification of specific interim steps or milestones en route to the final product
  • Identification of the responsibilities of each party (to make information available, attend particular meetings, review work at regular intervals etc.)
  • Recognition that the agency contact will be a "reader" for the degree project, reviewing the student's work and providing feedback and guidance.
  • Expectation that both parties will participate in a concluding presentation/reception at the Evans School in June
  • Understanding that both parties will evaluate the Public Service Clinics experience
  • Arrangements for remitting the clinic fee, and the dollar amount of any financial assistance that may have been approved

The fee applies only after a successful student-agency match has been made and a satisfactory product received. It is payable in two installments, which will be invoiced to the agency by the Evans School:

  • Half upon signing a letter of agreement with matched student (January)
  • Half upon agency acceptance of the final product (June)

The Public Service Clinics and Degree Project Seminars help fulfill the Evans School’s mission of community service; therefore, limited financial assistance is available to agencies that cannot afford to pay the full fee. Agencies can request financial assistance as part of the online proposal process. Financial assistance is competitive.

Note for state agencies: Several of you have asked, "Does the state freeze on hiring and personal services contracts prevent my agency from paying the Public Service Clinics fee?" Answer: Past state agency Clinic participants have handled the fee transaction as an interagency agreement which does not involve either new hiring or a personal services contract.

For more information, contact us at psclinic@u.washington.edu or 206.221.3676.