Submit an International Achievement Award Nomination

Honor and celebrate the accomplishments of deserving alumni, faculty, and students for their globally-focused work or scholarship with a nomination for an International Achievement Award.

2024 Nomination Cycle

Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis. The deadline for the undergraduate, graduate, and young humanitarian awards for the 2023/2024 International Achievement Awards cycle has been extended to March 15, 2024.

How to Submit a Nomination

Review the nomination criteria to ensure that your nominee meets all requirements and that you have all required documents prior to submtting the appropriate award nomination form.

Nomination Criteria

Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth International Alumni Award for Exceptional Achievement

Established in 2000 with a generous gift from Dr. Jagdish and Mrs. Madhuri Sheth, this award recognizes international alumni who are highly distinguished in their profession, have made outstanding contributions to government, humanity, science, art, or human welfare, and exemplify the strength of their education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Nomination Criteria

  • Nominee received a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In exceptional cases, attendance for one academic year may be sufficient.
  • Nominee was a citizen of a country other than the United States at the time of enrollment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Nominee has distinguished themselves in activities in a country other than the United States.
  • Nominee is not currently a member of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty, staff, or Board of Trustees.
  • Nominee is highly distinguished in their business, profession, and/or life's work, either internationally or nationally in their own country.
  • Nominee's stature and accomplishment are such that students, faculty, and staff of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.
  • Nominee's contributions to humanity, science, art, or human welfare have helped the citizens of their country and/or the global population.
  • Nominee's activities reflect the value of their education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Required Documents
  • Narrative. Up to five pages describing the nominee's achievements and impact, and why they are deserving of the award.
  • Letter of Support. Up to two pages describing the nominee's impact and achievements. Must be from someone other than the nominator.
  • CV or Resume. Up to ten pages with the most relevant information related to the award.

Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement

Established by the Provost in 2001 and endowed by Dr. Jagdish and Mrs. Madhuri Sheth in 2006, this award recognizes an Illinois faculty member for exemplary accomplishments in teaching, research, and public service in the international arena.

Nomination Criteria

  • Nominee has a full-time faculty appointment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Nominee has a significant record of achievement and recognition for international work.
  • Nominee's stature and accomplishment are such that students, faculty, and staff of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.
  • Nominee's contributions to humanity, science, art, or human welfare have helped the citizens of their country and/or the global population.
Required Documents
  • Narrative. Up to five pages describing the nominee's achievements and impact, and why they are deserving of the award.
  • Letter of Support. Up to two pages describing the nominee's impact and achievements. Must be from someone other than the nominator.
  • CV or Resume. Up to ten pages with the most relevant information related to the award.

Charles C. Stewart International Young Humanitarian Award

Established in 2005, and endowed by Charles C. Stewart in 2007, this award recognizes the accomplishments of an Illinois graduate whose dedicated international service exemplifies the highest ideals of selflessness and dedication to the welfare of communities outside of the United States.

Nomination Criteria

  • Nominee graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the past ten years.
  • Nominee is not be a current employee of the university.
  • Nominee has contributed significantly either as a volunteer or in a professional capacity, to the advancement, education, health and well-being, or security of people in a country other than the United States, and other than their country of citizenship; and recipients must have direct, in-country experience in the international community for which their recognition is being honored.

Individuals must be nominated by a current or former University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employee.

Required Documents
  • Narrative. Up to five pages describing the nominee's achievements and impact, and why they are deserving of the award.
  • Letter of Support. Up to two pages describing the nominee's impact and achievements. Must be from someone other than the nominator.
  • CV or Resume. Up to ten pages with the most relevant information related to the award.

Illinois International Graduate Achievement Award

This award recognizes an University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign graduate student (U.S. citizen or international) whose innovative and sustained international research or public service abroad has had a significant, societal impact.

Nomination Criteria

  • Nominee is a graduate student whose research or service was undertaken while enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Nominee has a minimum 3.5 GPA.
  • Nominee has documented evidence of academic research and/or public service that has led to new or increased interaction between University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the target community.
  • Nominee has sustained and verifiable academic or service leadership demonstrating innovation in working for the betterment and well-being of citizens and/or communities around the world.
  • Nominee has demonstrated scholarly, professional, and/or personal growth as a result of the experience.
  • Nominee has direct interaction with local communities or external organizations in another country to undertake problem-solving and improve quality of life for the local community.
  • Nominee has generated new knowledge or adding to an existing body of knowledge through a research or service project.

Required Documents
  • Narrative. Up to three pages describing the nominee's achievements and impact, and why they are deserving of the award.
  • Unofficial Transcript. Used to verify enrollment status and GPA.
  • Letter of Support (self-nominations only). From a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty member, academic advisor, or department head who is familiar the information outlined in the narrative.

Students may submit self-nominations. Students who choose to self-nominate must also include a separate Letter of Support from a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty, academic advisor, or department head who is familiar the information outlined in the narrative, in addition to the information above.

Illinois International Undergraduate Achievement Award

This award recognizes an University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign undergraduate student (U.S. citizen or international) for a significant service or contribution resulting from participation in an international study course, program, or project.

Nomination Criteria

  • Nominee is an undergraduate student in at least the second year of study at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
  • Nominee has a minimum 3.5 GPA.
  • Nominee has achieved a meritorious act or undertaken a sustained activity, which made a positive impact on the international programming and/or mission of a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign at the departmental or college level.

Required Documents
  • Narrative. Up to three pages describing the nominee's achievements and impact, and why they are deserving of the award.
  • Unofficial Transcript. Used to verify enrollment status and GPA.
  • Letter of Support (self-nominations only). From a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty member, academic advisor, or department head who is familiar the information outlined in the narrative.

Students may submit self-nominations. Students who choose to self-nominate must also include a separate Letter of Support from a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign faculty, academic advisor, or department head who is familiar the information outlined in the narrative, in addition to the information above.