Mortenson Center Associates Program Funding: Description and Application Guidelines
Scholarships for Program Participation
The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is delighted to offer professional development funding to support 3 individuals who would otherwise be unable to participate in the Associates’ Program due to financial constraints. Each scholarship of $4,000 covers the program fee. The grant recipient will be responsible for paying all other associated costs (e.g., airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs). Applications for funding are welcomed from library and information science (LIS) professionals who are residents of under-represented countries, from low-and middle-income countries and/or members of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities from countries outside of the United States.
To determine your eligibility, please review the specific requirements outlined below and complete the form. All sections of the application form should be completed and emailed to mortenson@illinois.edu by the deadline of 9 December 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Admission to the 2025 Mortenson Center Associates Program.
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Ability to pay all other associated costs (airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs).
- Commitment to learning, applying and sharing their new knowledge and skills to enhance their institutions, the LIS field, and/or professional practice.
- Demonstrated and/or potential leadership and innovation in their workplace and/or the LIS field in their local context.
- Professional readiness, work ethic and promise based on 2 reference letters (one which has been
submitted with the Program application, and a second one for the scholarship application from a different
recommender (supervisor/dean/director/professional mentor).
Application Materials
- Confirmation of a completed 2025 Mortenson Center Associates Program application.
- Confirmation of ability to pay all other associated costs with attending the Associates Program (e.g., airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs).
- Letter of reference speaking to the applicant’s professional readiness, work ethic and promise, and the relevance of the Associates Program to their career development.
- Statement of purpose (max. 500 words) addressing criteria 2 and 5 above.
Application Deadline
All materials must be submitted to the Mortenson Center by 9 December 2024. Selection decisions are final. Selected scholarship recipients will be notified by 13 January 2025.
Grant for professionals working in the Arab World
The Naseej Academy Grant to Attend the Mortenson Center Associates Program was developed to support the region’s knowledge community by sponsoring a professional working in the field of libraries, information centers and archival institutions in the Arab World, to attend the Mortenson Center Associates Program.
Application deadline for the 2025 Naseej Academy Grant ~ 28 November 2024