FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

(WASHINGTON, DC – November 22, 2005) For the sixth year, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) will sponsor its Gift of Discovery, an educational and cultural program that sends 80 Italian American students to Italy. The NIAF all-expenses-paid trips will take place May and June 2006.

The goal of the NIAF Gift of Discovery Program is to increase Italian American students’ understanding of Italy and their Italian heritage.

The 10-day sessions will include educational lectures, meetings with government officials and business leaders, and visits to government offices, international businesses, museums and other cultural attractions. Eligibility requirements: participants must be between the ages of 18-23 at time of travel (May 2006); students must be enrolled in a college/university for the semester preceding the trip (Spring 2006), and students must be of Italian heritage.

The application deadline is Friday, December 16, 2005 – 5:00 PM (PST), apply online at:https://www.niaf.org/giftofdiscovery/index.asp. Applicants are also required to mail a transcript and two written recommendations from a teacher, school official, or political/community leader in ONE envelope, postmarked no later than Friday, December 16, 2005. 

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Americans of Italian descent. Visit our web site at www.niaf.org