Awards & Funding
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.
2023 Nomination Cycle
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2023 International Achievement Awards cycle. Nominations for the 2023 cycle will be accepted through June 30, 2023.
How to Submit a Nomination
Review the nomination criteria in the tabs below to ensure that your candidate meets all requirements and that you have all required documents prior to submtting the nomination.
Criteria & Required Documents
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 the university's distinguished international alumni.
Nomination Criteria
- Have received a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In exceptional cases, attendance for one academic year may be sufficient.
- Have been a citizen of a country other than the United States at the time of their enrollment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Have distinguished themselves in activities in a country other than the United States or in an international context.
- Is not currently a member of the University of Illinois faculty, staff, or Board of Trustees.
- Must be highly distinguished in their business, profession, or life's work, either internationally or in their own country.
- Must be of such stature and accomplishment that students, faculty, and staff will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.
- Must be an individual whose contributions to humanity, science, art, or human welfare have helped the citizens of their country and/or the global population.
- Must be an individual whose life activities reflect the importance of their education at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Required Documents
- Online Nomination Form (required documents may be uploaded through the form)
- Narrative (describe the nominee's qualities, achievements, and work, and how these reflect the award criteria; up to 5 pages)
- Letter of Support (must be from someone other than the nominator)
Sheth Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement
Established by the Provost in 2001 and endowed by Dr. and Mrs. Sheth in 2006, this award recognizes an University of Illinois faculty member for exemplary accomplishments in the international arena.
Nomination Criteria
- Must have a full-time faculty appointment at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Must have a significant record of achievement and recognition for international work.
- Must be of such stature and accomplishment that students, faculty, and staff of the Urbana-Champaign campus will take pride in and be inspired by their recognition.
- Must be an individual whose contributions to humanity, science, art, or human welfare have made a positive impact internationally.
Required Documents
- Online Nomination Form (required documents may be uploaded through the form)
- Brief Narrative (describe the nominee's qualities, achievements, and work, and how these reflect the award criteria; up to 5 pages)
- Letter of Support (must be from someone other than the nominator)
Charles C. Stewart International Young Humanitarian Award
Established in 2005 and endowed by Charles C. Stewart in 2007, this award recognizes the accomplishments of young humanitarians whose dedicated international service exemplifies the highest ideals of selflessness and dedication.
Nomination Criteria
- Graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the past ten years;
- May not be a current employee of the university.
- Have 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
Recipients must be nominated by a current or former University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employee.
Required Documents
- Online Nomination Form (required documents may be uploaded through the form)
- Brief Narrative (describe the nominee's qualities, achievements, and work, and how these reflect the award criteria; up to 5 pages)
- Letter of Support (must be from someone other than the nominator)
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
- Must be a graduate student whose research or service was undertaken while enrolled at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- 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.
- 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.
- Minimum 3.5 GPA.
- Demonstrated scholarly, professional, and/or personal growth as a result of the experience.
- Direct interaction with local communities or external organizations in another country to undertake problem-solving and improve quality of life for the local community.
- Generation of new knowledge or adding to an existing body of knowledge through a research or service project.
- Use of a language other than English preferred, wherein proficiency in the foreign language was gained through study at the university.
Required Documents
- Online Nomination Form (required documents may be uploaded through the form)
- Brief Narrative (describe the nominee's qualities, achievements, and work, and how these reflect the award criteria; documentation verifying the activities or services, such as a brochure, news article, photograph, etc., may also be submitted; up to 3 pages)
- Unofficial Transcript (to verify enrollment status and GPA)
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
- Must be an undergraduate student in at least the second year of study at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
- Minimum 3.5 GPA.
- The student must have 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.
- The achievement or service must be verifiable to the satisfaction of the selection committee.
Required Documents
- Online Nomination Form (required documents may be uploaded through the form)
- Brief Narrative (describe the nominee's qualities, achievements, and work, and how these reflect the award criteria; documentation verifying the activities or services, such as a brochure, news article, photograph, etc., may also be submitted; up to 3 pages)
- Unofficial Transcript (to verify enrollment status and GPA)
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.
Contact
For questions about the awards or nomination process, please email: international@illinois.edu.