The American Institute for Foreign Study and the Council on International Education Exchange will be donating $100,000 over the next three years to a program that supports professionals to attend international education conferences as part of their development.

“Now is the time to double our investment in training the next generation of exceptional leaders in international education programs,” said CIEE CEO and president James P. Pellow.

“This is especially for those young professionals who will serve as role models for America’s future leaders,” he continued.

The program, named the Ping-Taylor Professionals Fellows Grant, will enable its enrolees to attend conferences like the Forum on Education Abroad, Diversity Abroad and NAFSA: Association for International Educators, which is taking place this year between May 31-June 3.

“This will be an important step for international education and study abroad during this very critical time,” said Chairman of AIFS, William L. Gertz.

“These grants will enable professionals to keep up-to-date on latest developments in the field so they can confidently advise students who plan to work, intern or study abroad,” he added.

“Now is the time to double our investment in training the next generation”

Such conferences are a must-attend for most international educators and professionals in the sector to keep up with announcements and developments, and particpants of the scheme would “otherwise be unable to attend” to due to staffing shortages and budget cuts.

“Our field has been decimated by Covid – university positions have been cut as well as professional development opportunities,” said Gertz.

The program is officially open to all US-based education abroad professionals “with special emphasis on individuals from diverse backgrounds and individuals who are employed at MSIs, HSIs and HBCUs”.

It was named after international and founder of AIFS Sir Cyril Taylor and former chair of CIEE Dr. Charles Ping.

The pair “devoted their professional careers to international education and exchange” and focused on creating “exceptional young leaders” in the sector.