Guidelines

• To learn more, make sure you carefully read all tabbed sections of this page.  Further questions should be directed to uradvisor@northwestern.edu or 847-467-0501.
• Undergraduate Language Grants are open to all undergraduate students who will be returning to Northwestern in the fall following their summer language program.  Students cannot receive ULG funds to participate in language programs following graduation from Northwestern.
• Study programs should provide the equivalent of a year's worth of college-level language instruction. Typically, programs must be at least six weeks in duration, and language instruction must be the predominant (if not the sole) aim of the program.  In execeptional cases, programs shorter than six weeks may be eligible; however, such programs must be approved by the appropriate NU language faculty. See our list of recommended programs for examples.
• ULGs are intended to enhance and facilitate on-going academic and professional training.  The main part of your application is a two page, single spaced proposal that connects the importance of your anticipated summer language study with your academic and long-term professional goals.  Please see our proposal writing guide for more advice/instructions.  Your proposal should include:
  • A discussion of your academic and professional goals and how advancing your skills in the target language this summer will help you achieve them.
  • A description of the language program you would like to attend, and your reasons for choosing it.  What does the program offer, and what strategies and activities have you planned to make full use of its offerings?
  • A description of any specific coursework or research experiences you plan to undertake following your completion of the program for which the language training is relevant.
• You will need two endorsements from faculty. The first endorsement must come from a language instructor with whom you have taken coursework. The second endorsement should be from a faculty member who can address the ways which an Undergraduate Language Grant will contribute to your academic goals at Northwestern. You should request endorsements from faculty at least four weeks prior to the deadline. Note: You may use faculty members from outside Northwestern. Contact the ULG Coordinator (undergradresearch@northwestern.edu) for details, as outside people will need to obtain net ids to access the online application system. More information about endorsements can be found under the 'Faculty Guidelines' tab.

• In your application, please complete the budget of expenses.  ULG awards can cover up to 75% of total expenses up to $3,000.

• All applications must be submitted to our on-line submission system and are due by 11:59 pm on the due date.

• If you're interested in receiving academic credit at Northwestern from a Non-NU Summer Program, review this section of the Study Abroad Office's website. Study Abroad Advisers are happy to review the application and credit transfer processes with you.

Travel Restrictions:

• You cannot travel to a location that has been rated as high (H) or extreme (E) risk by International SOS. This policy is university-wide and is non-negotiable. To check the rating of a country and areas within a country, go to the International SOS member website using NU's group account number: 11BCAS000003. 
• In general, undergraduates are not permitted to travel to a country subject to a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning. However, if the ISOS security rating of the location is Insignificant, Low or Moderate, exceptions may be made in certain circumstances when the student’s experience is facilitated, sponsored, monitored or controlled by Northwestern faculty or staff. The supervising faculty or staff (not the individual student) must apply to the Study Abroad Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) on the student's behalf for permission to travel at least eight weeks prior to the student’s planned travel. For details please see the University Undergraduate International Travel Policy and Procedures. Requests for travel permission should follow the guidelines provided in Appendix B of the Travel Permission Application Process.
• If safety issues exist in a study locale to which travel is permissible, the applicant should address in the application steps that will be taken to ensure personal safety.
• Students travelling internationally are required complete a number of additional steps, outlined HERE.  Grant funds cannot be released until you send proof of these to the Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research.

Information for Grant Recipients:

• All grant monies are distributed through the Northwestern Payroll system.  Grant recipients must complete the forms and follow the instructions on the Payroll Forms page in order to receive the grant money. 
• Grants are paid out once a month at the end of the month with a mid-month deadline for the submission of completed paperwork.  There are no exceptions.
• ULG recipients must provide the ULG Coordinator with the following before grant funds will be released:

• proof of registration in the language program
• completion of international travel steps, outlined HERE. 

• In the fall after the end of the language program, ULG recipients must provide the ULG Coordinator with a copy of their transcript showing successful completion of the program

With our own blogging platform, we are pleased to offer any grant recipient her/his own blog to use during the grant period.  For examples of previous blogs, go to http://blog.undergradresearch.northwestern.edu/.  If you are interested in becoming a part of our blogging world, contact the URG Coordinator at undergradresearch@northwestern.edu.

Faculty Guidelines

Eligibility and Restrictions

• Undergraduate Language Grants are open to all undergraduate students returning to Northwestern in the fall following their program.  Students cannot receive ULG funds to participate in programs following graduation from Northwestern.
• Study programs should provide the equivalent of a year's worth of college-level language instruction.  Typically, programs must be at least six weeks in duration, and language instruction must be the predominant (if not the sole) aim of the program.  In execeptional cases, programs shorter than six weeks may be eligible; however, such programs must be approved by the appropriate NU language faculty. See our list of recommended programs for examples.
• Students cannot travel to a location that has been rated as high (H) or extreme (E) risk by International SOS. This policy is university-wide and is non-negotiable.
• In general, undergraduates are not permitted to travel to a country subject to a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning. However, if the ISOS security rating of the location is Insignificant, Low or Moderate, exceptions may be made in certain circumstances when the student’s experience is facilitated, sponsored, monitored or controlled by Northwestern faculty or staff. The supervising faculty or staff (not the individual student) must apply to the Study Abroad Risk Assessment Committee (SARAC) on the student's behalf for permission to travel at least eight weeks prior to the student’s planned travel. For details please see the University Undergraduate International Travel Policy and Procedures. Requests for travel permission should follow the guidelines provided in Appendix B of the Travel Permission Application Process.

Student Responsibilities

• ULGs are intended to enhance and facilitate on-going academic and professional training.  Within the application, students must make a clear and compelling argument for the ways in which language immersion will specifically help to achieve academic goals at Northwestern and future professional aims.

Guidelines for Faculty Endorsements

• Students need to get two faculty endorsements.  The first endorsement must come from a faculty member with whom the student has taken language coursework.  The second endorsement should be from a faculty member who can address the ways which an Undergraduate Language Grant will contribute to the student’s academic goals at Northwestern.
• Outside faculty may be used as a recommender; contact the ULG Coordinator (uradvisor@northwestern.edu) for details.  Graduate students and post-docs are not eligible, unless they are added as a supplemental third endorsement.
• All endorsements are submitted online. You should base your endorsement on a draft of the grant application provided by the student. When the student completes his/her portion of the online application, the system will generate an email to you containing instructions for online submission of the endorsement. 
• The committee asks that your endorsement address the following questions:

1. Please offer your opinion on the language proficiency and abilities of this student.
2. How, in your opinion, will this language learning fit into the student’s overall academic/career goals?
3. Do you feel that this program/country is a good match for this student at this time?
4. Please offer your opinions on the student.  How long have you worked with the student, and in what capacity?  How confident are you that the student will successfully complete the proposed program?

• On the endorsement submission page, you will find each of these questions followed by separate text fields in which to write your response. Each field has a limit of 4,000 characters, which is equivalent to 11/2 pages single spaced.
• Faculty endorsements are due no later than 3-4 days after the student deadline. The Grant Committee meets to vote on proposals soon after the deadline, and proposals cannot be evaluated until the faculty endorsement is received.  If you feel that you will need more time to complete your assessment, you should make arrangements with the student to receive copies of the application materials well in advance of the deadline.  Un-endorsed proposals will not be considered by the Grant Committee.
• If you would like to see changes to a submitted proposal, you may request those changes within the submission system, generating an email to the student and placing the proposal back into draft status.  Only the advisor has the capacity to change a proposals status. 

Any questions or problems should be directed to uradvisor@northwestern.edu

How to Apply

All students must apply through the online application system.  A complete application consists of:

• a two page, single spaced proposal,
• a resume,
• basic information about you and your chosen program,including budget
• two faculty endorsements,
• an official academic transcript (submitted separately). 

The proposal and resume must be uploaded as a single document.  There is a separate field to upload documentation about your chosen language program (required if you wish to attend a non-NU language program). All documents should be .pdf or .rtf format. Once you have submitted your portion of the application online, your faculty advisors will receive an email containing instructions for their online submission of the endorsements.

Official transcripts must be ordered online from the Office of the Registrar.  Electronic delivery is strongly recommended and should be sent to uradvisor@northwestern.edu.  If you order a paper copy, it must be sealed and delivered to the Office of Undergraduate Research, Rebecca Crown Center, 633 Clark Street, West Tower, Room 1-225.

APPLY ONLINE 

Finding a Program

To select an appropriate summer intensive language program, students are encouraged to consult with their relevant language instructor and/or the Study Abroad Office.

For examples of recommended summer intensive language programs, click here.

You are welcome to find your own program; however, it will be your responsibility to make the case that this program is up to ULG standards, including the criteria listed below. You may include supporting materials / documentation about your program as part of your application (required for programs that are not NU sponsored or affiliated). The materials should be uploaded as a single .rft or .pdf file.

• An “immersion” or “intensive” format to study and engage with the language approximately 3-5 hours/day, 4-5 days/week.

• A clearly defined curriculum or instruction plan for a significant proportion of those hours.

• Instructors with training or credentials in teaching (e.g “conversation partner” activities or experience with untrained native speakers cannot constitute the bulk of the program).

• A focus on the multiple modalities for language use (not just speaking/listening or writing/reading, but speaking, listening, reading AND writing).

Preparing an Application

Your first step should be to discuss your ideas with faculty members and/or advisors who may be able offer insights on what you want to do.  Second, there will be special information sessions dedicated to Undergraduate Language Grants- see Calendar for dates and locations.  The sessions will be led by ULG Advisors who will go over the application process and answer questions.

As an additional resource, you may seek feedback from a ULG Advisor, by email (uradvisor@northwestern.edu) or in an arranged meeting, once you have written a draft application. ULG Advisors can offer useful writing assistance in shaping your proposal for the ULG Review Committee.

Jana Measells - ULG Coordinator/ Advisor

     847-467-0501     uradvisor@northwestern.edu

Peter Civetta - ULG Coordinator/ Advisor

     847-467-0499     undergradresearch@northwestern.edu

The Application Form

The online application form asks for basic information about you and the program that you are interested in attending. We realize that at the time of application you probably will not have received formal acceptance and that you may have more than one program in mind. For the purposes of the ULG application, include information only about the program that is your first choice. (If you are awarded a grant and afterwards learn that you have not been accepted, or have been accepted into a better program, contact the ULG Coordinator for approval of the program change.) You will need to supply information about the program and an estimated budget. You may open an application at any time, save it, and return later to complete/submit it.

The Proposal 

ULGs are intended to enhance and facilitate on-going academic and professional training.  The main part of your application is a two page, single spaced proposal that connects the importance of your anticipated summer language study with your academic and long-term professional goals.  Please see our proposal writing guide for more advice/instructions.  Your proposal should include:

• A discussion of your academic and professional goals and how advancing your skills in the target language this summer will help you achieve them.
• A description of the language program you would like to attend, and your reasons for choosing it.  What does the program offer, and what strategies and activities have you planned to make full use of its offerings?
• A description of any specific coursework or research experiences you plan to undertake following your completion of the program for which the language training is relevant.

Faculty Endorsements

All applications require two faculty endorsements. One must be from a language instructor with whom you have taken courses. The second should be from a faculty member who can address how a ULG would contribute to your academic goals.  Each advisor will base her/his endorsement on a draft of your proposal and resume that you should provide to them well in advance of your online application submission . When you complete your portion of the online application, the system will generate an email to the advisors containing instructions for online submission of the endorsement.  Outside faculty may be used; contact the ULG Coordinator (undergradresearch@northwestern.edu) for details. Endorsements from language instructors who are graduate students or postdocs are acceptable; however, the second endorsement must come from a faculty member.

FAQs