For Immediate Release

Contact: Elissa Ruffino, elissa@niaf.org, 202 939-3106

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** 15 Student Fellowship and 15 Professor Fellowships Available**

* Application Deadline: October 2, 2015*

(Washington, D.C. – September 23, 2015) – The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) announces its latest program, the Italian American Leadership Council (IALC) Fellow Program, NIAF on Campus. Its goal is to support the engagement of future generations of Italian Americans in the leadership of our community, bringing together the most active faculty, professors and students throughout the nation. Those awarded year-long fellowships will have the opportunity to attend NIAF’s Galas and participate in meaningful discussions about the future presence of Italians and Italian Americans in the United States.

NIAF on Campus supports 15 student fellowships and 15 professor fellowships each year. This year, IALC Fellows will be invited to NIAF’s 40th Anniversary Gala weekend, October 16-18, 2015, where they will have the opportunity to attend academic sessions as well as the annual black-tie Gala.

“This is a project a long time in the making,” said NIAF President John M. Viola. “It not only illustrates NIAF’s commitment to the youth of our community, but also speaks to the mission behind the Italian American Leadership Council itself, which is to bring together Italian Americans of all ages who want a clear voice in the future leadership of our community.”

Student applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or university, and be active in Italian issues through a club, a language society, or a major or minor in Italian or Italian American studies. Professor applicants must be instructors of Italian or Italian American Studies and/or a moderator of an Italian Club at a university or college.

Application deadline: Friday, October 2, 2015, 11:59 p.m. EST. For more information, please go to https://www.niaf.org/programs/niafoncampus/ or contact NIAF at niafoncampus@niaf.org.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., and dedicated to preserving the heritage of Italian Americans.   Visit www.niaf.org.