2026 Program Highlights

Download the Information Flyer here

• Seminars and Workshops introduce and explore current trends in the field. Library experts will be invited to share their perspectives, offer expertise, and foster conversations on the themes of leadership, and impact in order to  build data, user, strategy-driven libraries.
• Tours of a variety of libraries, including academic, public, and school libraries. We may also visit the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago, Illinois and other sites of interest.
• Networking with a dynamic group of international colleagues during and post-program.
• Participants will develop individual action plans, appropriate to their professional and institutional needs, and will receive post-program implementation review.
• Each participant will receive a Certificate of Program Participation upon completion.
• Scheduling to allow participants to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Library Association (ALA), if they wish.
• The 2026 ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition will be in Chicago, IL, June 25-29, 2026. Arrangements and registration for the conference must be made separately and are not included in the program costs.

Program Dates

Program activities will begin on 1 June 2026. The last day of program activities will be 24 June 2026.

1 December 2025: PROGRAM Application Deadline Extended

All PROGRAM application materials must be emailed by 1 December 2025, including a fully completed application and 3 supplementary documents. NOTE: Scholarship applications are STILL DUE on November 21, 2025.

6 January 2026: Notification of Application Status

All applicants will be notified of application status by 6 January 2026 (end of business CST). Applicants accepted to the Mortenson Center Associates Program must send a non-refundable $200 USD deposit by 30 January 2026 in order to hold their place in the program. Payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance or after 15 January 2026.

30 January 2026: Deposit Payment Due

$200 USD Deposit Due (all deposit payments are non-refundable)

1 April 2026: Remaining Balance Payment Due

Remaining Balance Due

Application Requirements

• Application (typed and signed) must be emailed in English along with the 3 supporting documents in order to be considered.
• Applicants must secure adequate funding to support a stay at the Mortenson Center in order to be accepted into the program.
• This program is delivered in English only. Participants should be fluent in conversational English and possess a reading knowledge of English.

Application Form

Applications are open for the 2026 Mortenson Associates Program. We invite your applications and encourage interested participants to submit questions to mortenson@illinois.edu.

Download Application Form HERE: WORD or  PDF-Fillable or PDF format.

Program Costs

The cost for the 2026 Mortenson Associates Program is $4,000 USD.

Program costs are paid prior to the program’s start date and include:

• Housing (student-style accommodations while on campus and hotel accommodations while on out-of-town excursions)
• Partial meals
• Local transportation
• Programming costs
• Speaker fees
• Medical insurance
• Other materials and logistics

The program cost does not include visa application, airfare and/or ground transportation costs to and from Champaign-Urbana. These arrangements must be funded and arranged by individual participants.

Applicants accepted by the Mortenson Center must send a $200 USD deposit in order to hold their place in the program. This non-refundable deposit will be deducted from your program fees.

Payment Deadlines

• 30 January 2026 – $200 USD – Deposit Due (all deposit payments are non-refundable)
• 1 April 2026 – Remaining Balance Due

Payment instructions will be provided to participants upon notification of acceptance, on or after 6 January 2026.

Mortenson Center Associates Program Funding: Description and Application Guidelines

The Mortenson Center for International Library Programs is delighted to provide funding to support individuals to attend the 2026 Associates Program to advance their leadership and professional development goals. The scholarships support 2026 Associates who would otherwise be unable to participate due to financial constraints. Each scholarship covers the $4,000 program fee. The recipient will be responsible for paying all other associated costs (e.g., airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs). Scholarship applications 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 scholarship application form. All sections of the application form should be completed and emailed to mortenson@illinois.edu by the deadline.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Admission to the 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program.
2. Demonstrated financial need.
3. Ability to pay all other associated costs (airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs).
4. Commitment to learning, applying and sharing their new knowledge and skills to enhance their institutions, the LIS field, and/or professional practice.
5. Demonstrated and/or potential leadership and innovation in their workplace and/or the LIS field in their local context.
6. 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).

Scholarship Application Materials

1. A completed 2026 Mortenson Center scholarship application AND
2. A completed 2026 Mortenson Center Associates Program application.
3. Confirmation of ability to pay all other associated costs with attending the Associates Program (e.g., airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs).
4. Letter of reference speaking to the applicant’s professional readiness, work ethic and promise, directly aligning them to the scholarship’s criteria and goals.
5. Statement of purpose (max. 500 words) addressing criteria 2 and 5 above.

Scholarship Application Deadline (November 21, 2025)

All SCHOLARSHIP application materials must be submitted to the Mortenson Center by 21 November 2025. Selection decisions are final. Selected scholarship recipients will be notified by 6 January 2026.

Download Application Form HERE:  WORD  PDF   Fillable PDF

Grant for professionals working in the Arab World

Application deadline for the 2026 Naseej Academy Grant -December 1, 2025

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.

The Mortenson Center has engaged in this grant program from its inception in 2017. Read more about the Grant and past recipients by clicking here.

Application forms for the 2026 Mortenson Center program can be downloaded here

Am I eligible to apply?

The Mortenson Center Associates Program is a program for individuals working in a library and/or information services setting outside the United States.

What visa category should I be applying for if I want to attend the Mortenson Center Associates program?

B1/B2 visa is the recommended visa to apply for.

Do I have to ask my direct supervisor to write my letter of recommendation?

It is recommended that you talk to your supervisor regarding your application as they need to support your attendance and feedback to colleagues after returning from the Mortenson Center Associates Program. However, recommendation letters can also come from a library director or a mentor.

I have a colleague who is my mentor in the organization, can I ask them to write my letter of recommendation?

Yes, recommendation letters from a range of people who are interested in your professional journey is great.

How long does the Mortenson Center Associates program take?

The 2026 Mortenson Center Associates program lasts for 3.5 weeks. The 2026 Associates Program will take place 1 June – 24 June.

Is the ALA (American Library Association) conference attendance included in the Associates program?

No, the conference attendance is optional. However, Associates are welcome to attend if they wish, our program is organized to allow delegates time to attend the ALA conference.

What does the Associates program include?

In the 3.5 weeks, the program offers an opportunity for librarians and information specialists to learn first-hand the workings of U.S. libraries. You will be learning as a cohort of international library and information innovative leaders. The program includes:

• Seminars and Workshops which provide an overview of current trends in the field. Library experts will be invited to share their perspectives, offer expertise, and foster conversations on the themes of communication and leadership.
• Tours of a variety of libraries, including academic, public, and school libraries. We may also visit the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago, Illinois, and other sites of interest.
• Networking with a dynamic group of international colleagues during and post-program.
• Participants will develop individual action plans appropriate to their professional and institutional needs and will receive post-program implementation review.

Are meals provided as part of the program?

A few meals are provided in the program, so participants are required to set aside approximately $1,000 for meals and other personal expenses during the duration of the program.

What is the cost of the program and when is payment due?

The total cost for the program is $4,000 USD. This fee covers: Accommodations, Transportation for field visits, Programming costs, Speaker fees, Medical Insurance and Other materials and logistics. Applicants are encouraged to set aside an additional $3,000 to cater for airfare, visa application and out of pocket expenses mentioned above. The deadlines for fee payment are as follows:

30 January 2026– Deposit-$200 non-refundable fee, Placeholder fee. Upon request, a deposit may be rolled over to the next year

1 April 2026– $3,800- Remaining balance due

Early preparation of funds recommended

Payment Methods: Wire transfer (https://www.flywire.com/pay/Mortenson) or Credit card payment (transaction fees are paid by applicant)

Are there funding opportunities provided for the Mortenson Center Associates program attendance?

The Mortenson Center will provide some scholarships of $3,800 each to cover program fees to support participation in the 2026 Associates Program. Please see tab above on Funding opportunity. Other funding opportunities include the Naseej Academy Grant which was developed to support participants from the Arabian Gulf Region.

Is accommodation provided as part of the program?

The program provides on-campus student residential housing. These are shared suites with common areas (single room accommodation may also be available). There is easy access to local shops, restaurants, libraries and other campus buildings by walking or bus.

If I’m not selected this year, may I reapply?

You are welcome to reapply for the program but please contact us if you are not able to attend after being accepted.

Can I contact the Center if I need help about the Associates program?

Yes you may contact the center for any further inquiries or questions about the program at: Mortenson@illinois.edu.