Behind Alma Mater are figures of a woman representing “learning” and a man depicting “labor” joining hands. Together they symbolize the University’s motto, “Learning and Labor.” Alma Mater, the beloved bronze mother figure that has greeted generations of University of Illinois students, graces the entry way to the campus. Alma Mater, which was created by sculptor Lorado Taft, is a 10,000-pound statue depicting a mother-figure wearing academic robes, bearing a plaque that reads, "To thy happy children of the future, those of the past send greetings.” Photo taken at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. (Photo by Fred Zwicky / University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign)
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 Global South Fellowship Program.
This fellowship, which is a Birmingham-Illinois Partnership for Discovery, Engagement, and Education (BRIDGE) initiative, enables visiting fellows to come to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or the University of Birmingham to conduct research and advance their scholarly work.
Additionally, fellows gain insight into the organization and conduct of research, training, and administration at Illinois and Birmingham, and the program promotes research collaboration and partnership development with the Global South.
Applications will be accepted until May 12, 2026, and results will be announced June 25, 2026.
Applicants may be researchers or faculty members from higher education institutions and research institutes in the Global South, who specialize in subject areas related to education access and equity, global health, and sustainability and climate action.
The fellowship term will be July 2026 to June 2027. Each visiting fellow will receive up to $1,500 in travel expenses (if traveling to Illinois), along with a monthly stipend of $1,500 (if staying in Illinois) for up to three months to help cover living expenses and accommodation.
For questions, please contact Nicole Stivaletta, associate director for Global Relations, at nicstiv@illinois.edu.
Analicia Haynes is the storytelling coordinator at Illinois International. She can be reached at ahayn2@illinois.edu.