Ursula Williams Graduate Student Conference Grants

Ursula Williams, who captured the spirit of IALLT as one of our most energetic and committed members, was the long-term coordinator of the language resource center at Notre Dame University. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field and the spirit of conviviality that she brought out in others, IALLT offers special conference attendance grants in her name to encourage graduate students to attend our biennial conference.

Grants with a maximum value of $500 each will be awarded. The number of awards depends upon the number of applications and the availability of funds. Qualifying expenses include travel to and registration at the conference; any remaining amount up to the maximum value awarded may then be applied toward conference accommodation and reimbursed after the conference. Receipts must be provided. Alternatively, the grant may be directly applied toward conference registration.

Eligibility

All graduate students who are sufficiently advanced in either a traditional graduate program or a graduate-level certificate program, and who have a demonstrated commitment to researching, implementing, and/or supporting the integration of technology in teaching language, literature, and/or culture are eligible to apply for a grant.

Process

Applicants should (1) complete the online grant application form, and (2) arrange for a letter of support from an individual with a permanent university (or equivalent) position qualified to evaluate the applicant’s suitability for the award. The letter of recommendation should be sent to the IALLT Secretary by the same specified deadline as the application. Adjudication will be made by the IALLT Board or their nominees, and the results will be announced to applicants within one calendar month of the submission deadline.

Criteria

In a document of not more than 500 words, applicants should describe their program of study and future career plans, as well as their activities as developers, teachers, and/or administrators of technologies that are used to support the learning of language, literature, and/or culture. Applicants should explain any other travel assistance that they have access to in the form of a simple written statement. Applicants must agree to become student members of IALLT and are expected to attend all days of the main conference. Prior recipients are eligible to apply in subsequent years, but priority will be given to first-time applicants.

Successful candidate(s) are invited to submit a proposal to the IALLT Conference Program Committee for some type of formal presentation at the next conference (see the deadline for conference proposal submission), or to submit an article to The FLTMAG for publication consideration. The Board reserves the right to publicize the successful applicants’ names in appropriate publications.

Sources of Funding

IALLT will seek ongoing corporate support for these grants. Individuals (member or non-member of IALLT) are also encouraged to make donations toward the fund. IALLT is a registered tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) organization and, as such, donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Review of applications will begin February 1, 2025 and continue until available funds are exhausted.

Submit Application