Internationalization Fund 2026-2027

The Division of International Affairs is pleased to invite applications to the Internationalization Fund. This fund is made available through generous donor gifts.

Applications may be submitted for activities that open new opportunities for international education, research, and/or engagement with lasting impact in support of NIU’s vision, mission, values, and goals. We will consider proposals seeking to:

• Establish a collaboration with an international institution or individual who NIU has not worked with before.
• Travel to an international destination in order to develop a new educational, research, or engagement activity.
• Host international visitor(s) with the goal of creating new opportunities for teaching, learning, research, or engagement.

Requests up to $1,000 will be considered. Funds are limited and funding amounts may be less than requested depending on fund availability and the proposed activity.

One request per activity will be accepted. For instance, individuals traveling for the same purpose, such as for the same research project or to visit the same potential study abroad site, should submit a joint application of no more than $1,000 total.

Proposals must make a clear case that the requested funding will invest in a new direction that could not have been pursued otherwise. Proposals that do not do so will not be funded. Funding for requests for travel to attend international professional conferences or an already organized international activity will not be accepted. Submissions should be led by a NIU faculty or staff person. Submission from student organizations should be made by their faculty or staff advisor.

Requests should be submitted through the Internationalization Fund form. The Internationalization Fund form will ask for:

• An up to 150-word description of how the funds will be used and how this use furthers internationalization at NIU. Please reference one or more specific NIU vision, mission, values, and/or goals that your proposal would advance.
• A clear articulation, in 150 words or less, of the new direction including how the proposed use of the funds allows the proposer to establish a new international activity that has not previously been pursued and that they could not have accomplished otherwise.

A strong justification, in 150 words or less, for the long term goals of the activity (e.g., leading to establishing a new faculty-led study abroad program, initiating an ongoing research collaboration, starting a continuing bilateral exchange) and how the funded activity will be sustainable (e.g., what additional sources would be pursued using the preliminary evidence established by the internationalization fund investment).

• A budget for the full activity, and, a narrative budget justification with a clear indication of the components and amounts requested from the Internationalization Fund.
• An up to 150-word summary of the proposer’s prior experience with international activities. The proposer’s resume or CV should be attached or provided through a web link.

Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with decisions typically made within two months of submission. Review criteria will include:

• Clarity of writing, including the activity description.
• Strength of case for how the activity furthers internationalization at NIU.
• Persuasiveness of how the activity pursues a new direction.
• Clearly articulated and sustainable long-term goals.
• A well justified budget with clear indication of the requested budget items and their costs.

Expenditures will be coordinated through the Division of International Affairs’ Business Administrative Associate. Funded projects must report on their expenditures and activity, including in support of stewardship of the Division of International Affairs’ donors. A timeline and deliverables for the report appropriate to the funded activities will be specified in the award letter.