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Creating Faculty-Led Programs

Leading a group of students abroad is a professionally rewarding experience. Information requested on the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program proposal is designed to assist faculty outline the critical details of their proposed program. This helps to ensure that the program is shaped with the needs of students in mind and that all important details have been gathered and considered.

As you begin the proposal process, please be advised that creating new programs/partnerships may, at times, be a lengthy process. We suggest you begin developing your program at least 2 semesters (12-14 months) prior to your indeed program start date, allowing ample time to recruit participants by the standard student application deadlines.

Questions? The Office of International Engagement (OIE) will be glad to assist you. Please contact the Study Abroad Unit at (309) 438-5276, or StudyAbroad@IllinoisState.edu, to discuss international program ideas. We encourage you to meet with OIE to discuss any issues to which you cannot answer throughout the proposal process.

Submit Your Proposal

  1. Review the Faculty Director Handbook
    • Review proposal review criteria (in the Faculty Director Handbook)
  2. Complete the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposal document and include following supporting documents:
    • Program Budget Worksheet
    • Proposal narrative
    • Draft of syllabus or outline for each offered course on program
    • Draft itinerary of program location and activities
  3. Submit an electronic copy of the proposal and supporting documents to alratcl@ilstu.edu by the proposal due date. Please send a hard copy of the proposal with signatures via campus mail to OIE, Campus Box 6120.
    • Signatures from the Dean, Chair of your Department, and the Graduate school (Graduate School only required for graduate credit) must be obtained by the proposal deadline.
    • Only proposals completed by the due date will be considered.

Proposal Deadlines

The Office of International Engagement and Programs invites faculty to propose new short-term study abroad programs for Spring Break and Summer 2025. The proposal deadline for spring break programs is February 1, 2024. The proposal deadline for Summer 2025 programs is April 1, 2024.

The Faculty-Led Program Proposal Committee will review program proposals and notify applicants one month after the deadline. The committee's purpose in reviewing proposals is to examine logistics, planning, viability of geographic area, and how the local environment is used to enhance the learning objectives of the course.

The following deadlines have been established to ensure ample time to recruit participants and solidify program logistics.

  • Program Date: Winter break program

    Proposal Deadline: November 1 of year prior to program start date

  • Program Date: Spring break program

    Proposal Deadline: February 1 of year prior to program start date

  • Program Date: Summer program

    Proposal Deadline: April 1 of year prior to program start date

  • Program Date: Semester program

    Proposal Deadline: Spring program: December 1 of year prior to program start date
    Fall program: April 1 of year prior prior to program start date