Internationalization Fund

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 the following kinds of activities that have educational, research, or engagement objectives in support of NIU’s vision, mission, values, and goals:

• Hosting an international visitor
• Offering an international event
• Traveling to an international destination

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. Requests will be prioritized that match the funding request through other sources or that document that other sources are not available. Requests from individuals and organizations that have not received support previously may also be prioritized.

One request per activity will be accepted. For instance, individuals traveling for the same purpose, such as for the same research project or for the same student organization, should submit a joint application of no more than $1,000 total. Funding for requests for travel to international professional conferences potentially attended by multiple NIU faculty, staff, or students may also be limited.

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

• An up to 900-character description of how the funds will be used and how this use furthers internationalization at NIU
• A clear articulation, in 900 characters or less, of how the proposed use of the funds are aligned with NIU’s vision, mission, values and goals
• A budget and budget justification for the full activity, and a clear indication of the requested amount as a portion of the total budget
• Documentation of matching funds (e.g., faculty or staff matching from professional travel funds)
• Documentation of attempts at seeking funding from other sources (e.g., Undergraduate research presentation funding; Graduate student travel grants)

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

• Clarity of writing
• Strength of case for how the activity furthers internationalization at NIU
• Persuasiveness of alignment with NIU vision, mission, values, and goals
• A well justified budget
• Amount of matching funds
• Documentation of seeking other funding sources

Submissions that are not funded will receive feedback and may be resubmitted.

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.

Internationalization Fund Form