Nine US universities will receive up to $10,000 to award scholarships to disadvantaged or underrepresented UK students to enroll at their institution during the 2023/24 academic year. Students can opt for different study or non-study programs.
“This program is a great example of how a partnership between a charitable foundation and a member association can positively impact the lives of students through high-quality educational opportunities,” said AIRC Executive Director Brian Whalen.
The initiative was launched in 2022 together with AIFS with a support of USD 100,000.
The nine institutions included in the first iteration include: California State University Long Beach; Elgin Community College; Middle Tennessee State University; Nazareth College; San Mateo County Community College District; State University of New York at Plattsburgh; University of Louisville; University of Maryland Baltimore County; and University of Tennessee Knoxville.
“We believe institutions will do a really good job of finding students who fit Sir Cyril Taylor’s vision of increasing diversity and inclusion in study abroad,” said current AIFS Chair and Trustee of the Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation William Gertz.
“We’re very proud of the work the foundation has done in its first few years and we’re very excited about the future, which will move the needle so more UK students can study abroad.”
“As an institution firmly committed to inclusive excellence, we are honored to receive this award”
Speak with PIE News, AIRC President Derrick Alex said the collaboration “is another example of AIRC’s commitment to supporting international students and opening doors for deserving students to fulfill their dream of studying in the US.”
The scholarships “will directly benefit our members by helping institutions and agencies achieve their international enrollment goals,” added AIRC Director of Membership and Sponsorship, Rachael Lamson.
David Di Maria, associate vice provost for international education at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, said PIE News, “As an institution firmly committed to inclusive excellence, we are honored to receive this award. We look forward to welcoming future scholarship recipients to our UMBC community.”
Similarly, Middle Tennessee State University’s Vice Provost for International Affairs, Robert Summers, said, “The Sir Cyril Taylor Scholarship is a way for MTSU to demonstrate its deep commitment to international student mobility.”
“Ensuring that every student has an international experience is one of the pillars of our strategic plan. This scholarship helps us meet that goal,” added Summers.
The award is named after Sir Cyril Taylor, a distinguished academic, businessman, public servant in the UK and US and founder and chairman of the AIFS, who died in 2018. The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation was established to honor Taylor’s legacy. initiatives that promote US-UK relations and international educational opportunities.
The Cyril Taylor Charitable Foundation also offers scholarships for American undergraduates to study in the UK, along with the Study Abroad Fund.
