Most Associates are self-funded or sponsored by their institution or their country’s professional association. The Mortenson Center and partners have provided funding to support international library and information professionals to attend the Associates Program. Each funding opportunity is different, is managed in its own specific manner, and supports only the program fee and/or travel, and additional expenses. Please learn more below about current and past funding opportunities. New opportunities will be added when they become available.
Mortenson Center Funding (2026)
Description and Application Guidelines (2026)
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 amount of the 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
- Admission to the 2026 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).
Scholarship Application Materials
- A completed 2026 Mortenson Center scholarship application AND
- A completed 2026 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, directly aligning them to the scholarship’s criteria and goals.
- 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.
Scholarship Collaborations
The Japan Association of Private University Libraries (JASPUL) and the Mortenson Center have an agreement to collaborate on supporting a JASPUL member to attend the Associates Program. JASPUL administers and funds the scholarship program for its members.
Naseej Academy Grant (2017-25)
Naseej Academy Grant to Attend the Mortenson Center Associates Program
About the grant
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.
Grant’s Terms to apply
- Current employment in a library, information center, or archive, with minimum three years’ experience.
- Commitment to furthering the Mortenson Center’s mission within the participant’s own country.
- Willingness and ability to share what is learned while at the Mortenson Center with others in the participant’s home country.
- Participants should be fluent in conversational English and possess a reading knowledge of English. This program is delivered in English only.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment of the participant’s home institution to supporting sharing activity (training seminars, workshops, etc.).
Selection
A jury panel composed of scholars, experts, members from Naseej Academy board, and the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, will review and evaluate the applications. Next, the jury will interview the pre-selected candidates to select the final winner.
Past Naseej Academy Grant Winners
2025: Ms. Ikhlas Ahmed, Engagement Specialist, Qatar National Library, Qatar. Visit Ms. Ikhlas’ biography and blog posts.
2024: Mrs. Khadija Mohsen, Library Section Manager, Muhammad Bin Rashid Library, United Arab Emirates. Visit Mrs. Khadija’s biography and blog posts.
2023: Ms. Thikra Alharbi, Assistant Librarian, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Visit Ms. Thikra’s biography and blog posts.
2020
- Mr. Muneer Nasser Obaid Albattashi,
- Oman Virtual Science Library (Masader) Director at The Research Council, Sultanate of Oman. Visit Mr. Muneer’s Blog here.
- Dr. Fatima N. H. A. Alqaoud,
- Head of Library Systems & Technology Unit at Kuwait University Kuwait. Visit Dr. Fatima’s Blog here.
2019
- Ms. Mona Mansour Al Buhamaid, National Book Library Specialist, Essa Cultural Center, Kingdom of Bahrain.Visit Ms. Mona’s Blog here.
- Ms. Seham Kazem Abdul Rahman Al-OstazDirector of Technical Affairs and Research, Ministry of Education, Kuwait Library Department, Kuwait. Visit Ms. Seham’s Blog here.
2018
- Nehad Ali Said AL Hadi, Librarian at Main Library, Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman. Visit Ms. Nehad’s Blog here.
- Mr. Mohannad Salameh AlKhalialeh, Manager of Studies and Information Department at the University of Jordan Library, Jordan. Visit Mr. Mohannad’s Blog here.
2017
- Ms. Dalal Abdul Qawi Muhammad Qassim [awarded; did not attend], Information Specialist, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), United Arab Emirates.
- Mr. Walid bin Ali bin Salem, President of Oman Libraries Association, Sultanate of Oman. Visit Mr. Walid’s Blog here.
Interested in funding an Associate?
We welcome organizations that wish to fund an Associate. Please contact Director Clara M. Chu cmchu@illinois.edu to discuss a potential collaboration.