The NIAF on Campus Program brings together Italian American students who are active in their college’s Italian clubs to promote the success of Italian organizations on university campuses across the nation and create a stronger Italian American presence in their communities. These student leaders then become long-term fellows of the Foundation to support implementation of that strategy for years to come.
The NIAF on Campus mission is to empower the future leaders of the Italian American community to embrace their cultural heritage and carry it with them for the rest of their lives. This program enables college students to appreciate and engage with Italian and Italian American culture in a more profound way outside of the classroom.
Each NIAF on Campus group is eligible for up to $1,500 in funding to carry out fun and educational Italian American events per academic year. With these events, NIAF has the possibility to engage college students at universities across the country and encourages them to maintain and promote the Italian American culture. Every student who takes part in these events is a potential leader in the future Italian American community. 
“The NIAF on Campus Program not only empowers young Italian American leaders to take the lead in promoting their heritage outside of the classroom, but it energizes them to act as the next generation of Italian American leadership after their college careers,” said Julia Streisfeld, Director of Scholarships, Grants and Youth Engagement.
Applicants must: Be enrolled in a U.S. based institution of higher education on a full-time basis for the Fall 2022 semester; be active in Italian issues through a leadership position in their university’s club or language society, or a major or minor in Italian or Italian American studies; have Italian American ancestry. To be considered Italian American, the student must have at least one ancestor who has immigrated from Italy; have professor of Italian language or Italian/Italian American Studies, professor of language studies (Italian studies or Italian American studies), or department head submit a letter of recommendation on their behalf; have an active NIAF Membership. Student may use their parent, guardian or grandparent’s membership.
The 2022-2023 Application Deadline is Friday, September 9, 2022 (11:59 PM EDT). Decision Notification is Friday, September 16, 2022 (5:00 PM EDT). For more information and to apply, visit: https://www.niaf.org/niaf-on-campus-program-2022-student-application/.