ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies Study Abroad Fellowship for Undergraduates in 2025-2026, an applicant must be:

  1. An undergraduate student in good standing at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign;
  2. In the process of applying to, or being accepted to, an approved semester-long study abroad or internship program in Brazil. Proof of program acceptance is required before award disbursement.

AWARDS

Award amounts may be up to $2,000 and will be granted to students planning to spend a semester abroad. Priority will be given to those studying Portuguese and/or Brazilian studies. Funding decisions are based on the selection criteria below, cost and duration of the program, as well as the availability of funds. Students will receive funds through their student account. Awards will be processed based on each students’ cost of attendance as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applications are reviewed holistically, and preference will be given to those who spend the semester abroad, with consideration of the following:

  1. Impact of the program on student’s academic and career trajectory
  2. Academic preparedness
  3. Financial need

HOW TO APPLY

  1. Download and fill out this cover sheet. The form can be downloaded here.
  2. Your application should include:
  • A 1-page resume;
  • A short description (~100 words) about the study abroad program;
  • A 1–2-page essay (Times New Roman, 12-point font, 1-inch margins) that describes how the study abroad will impact your academic and career trajectory and why you are interested in Brazil;
  • A recommendation from a professor or academic advisor;
  • Optional: a 100-word statement describing financial need.

      3. Applicants must submit the above information to the Box account below all compiled in one file with a title in the following format: LastName, FirstName – DeptAbbrev – Undergrad2025_2026.

      4. Applicants should arrange for the appropriate faculty member to upload the letter of recommendation. The filename should be LastName, FirstName – DeptAbbrev – Undergrad2025_2026 – RecommenderInitals.pdf.

      5. The cover sheet, application information, and the letter of recommendation should be submitted to this Box account.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Upon returning to campus, students will submit a 1-page report (same formatting guidelines as the application essay) along with at least one photograph from their trip, which may be used by the Lemann Center on our website, in fliers, and other publications and materials.
  • Students may also be asked to speak about their study abroad experience at a Lemann Center event.

APPLICATION DEADLINES

  • February 15 for fall semester or academic year programs.
  • September 15 for spring semester programs.

For more information, please contact Dr. Carolina Rocha, Associate Director for the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies at