2025 Program Highlights

Download the Information Flyer here

• Seminars and Workshops 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 leadership, communication, and innovation in order to develop open, inclusive, technological advanced and engaged 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 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 2025 ALA Annual Conference will be in Philadelphia, June 26-July 1, 2025. 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 2 June 2025. The last day of program activities will be 25 June 2025.

9 December 2024: Application Deadline

All application materials must be emailed by 9 December 2024, including a fully completed application and 3 supplementary documents.

13 January 2025: Notification of Application Status

All applicants will be notified of application status by 13 January 2025 (end of business CST). Applicants accepted to the Mortenson Center Associates Program must send a non-refundable $200 USD deposit by 14 February 2025 in order to hold their place in the program. Payment instructions will be provided upon acceptance or after 13 January 2025.

14 February 2025: Deposit Payment Due

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

1 April 2025: 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 2025 Mortenson Associates Program. We invite your applications and encourage interested participants to submit questions to mortenson@illinois.edu.

Download Application Form HERE:  Word  PDF   Fillable PDF

Program Costs

The cost for the 2025 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

• 14 February 2025 – $200 USD – Deposit Due (all deposit payments are non-refundable)
• 1 April 2025 – Remaining Balance Due

Payment instructions will be provided to participants upon notification of acceptance, on or after 13 January 2025.

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

1. Admission to the 2025 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).

Application Materials

1. Confirmation of a completed 2025 Mortenson Center Associates Program application.
2. Confirmation of ability to pay all other associated costs with attending the Associates Program (e.g., airfare, visa fees, meals and other personal costs).
3. 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.
4. 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.

Download Application Form HERE:  Word  PDF   Fillable PDF

Grant for professionals working in the Arab World

Application deadline for the 2025 Naseej Academy Grant ~ 28 November 2024

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 2025 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 2025 Mortenson Center Associates program lasts for 3.5 weeks. The 2025 Associates Program will take place 2 June – 25 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:

14 February 2025– Deposit-$200 non-refundable fee, Placeholder fee. Upon request, a deposit may be rolled over to the next year

1 April 2025– $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 3 scholarships of $3,800 each to cover program fees to support participation in the 2025 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.