Award Cycle: Winter
Aims and Eligibility
We are thrilled to announce an exciting partnership between Sigma Tau Delta and the University of Cambridge, UK, offering access to Lifelong Learning Summer Courses in the arts and humanities at the prestigious Girton College, Cambridge to Sigma Tau Delta alumni members and Chapter Advisors.
Girton College, founded in 1869, was Britain’s first residential college for the degree level education of women. It opened its doors to men in 1979 and has remained a pioneer of inclusive excellence. With its historic architecture, distinguished faculty, and commitment to intellectual rigor, it offers a rich environment in which to learn.
These immersive courses are designed to enrich academic and professional growth while offering a unique opportunity to experience the inspiring environment of Cambridge.
All eligible applicants will be considered for the opportunity to be awarded one of the small number of spaces allotted to Sigma Tau Delta and to have the honor of representing Sigma Tau Delta at the Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program.
Dates, Costs, Inclusions & Other Details
Dates:
August 16 – 22 and/or August 23 – 29, 2026
Costs:
The Lifelong Learning Summer Program fee is £1,660 per participant for one week or £3,295 per participant for two weeks. Please see details (below) of the Simone J. Billings Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program Award for Advisors.
The Simone J. Billings Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program Awards
The Simone J. Billings Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program Awards are given annually to encourage alumni and Faculty Advisors (including retired advisors) to participate in the Girton Lifelong Learning Summer Program. Advisors who participate in such opportunities as the Girton Lifelong Learning Summer Program are better able to speak knowledgeably about Sigma Tau Delta as well as the opportunities and insights that travel to a partner institution provides.
Annually, one alumni applicant and one Faculty Advisor applicant will receive a Simone J. Billings Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program Award of $1,000 to defray part of the costs of attending the Girton program. The award is named in honor of one of Sigma Tau Delta’s “Girton Pioneers” (Summer 2025), Simone J. Billings, former Far Western Regent, recipient of the Delta Award (2023-24), and now emerita from Santa Clara University.
All eligible applicants to the Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program will be considered not just for the honor of filling one of the limited slots given to Sigma Tau Delta but also for a Simone J. Billings Girton College Lifelong Learning Summer Program Award. Up to two awards may be given to qualified Faculty Advisors and/or alumni, in any combination.
How to Apply
Submissions for the Lifelong Learning Summer Program at Girton College are accepted through AwardSpring. The link to access the Sigma Tau Delta AwardSpring platform will be posted on the AwardSpring Application informational page of our website once the Winter Awards Cycle opens.
If you are using AwardSpring for the first time, you must create an account by clicking “Register.” If you have used AwardSpring previously, you should login using your email address and existing password.
Submission Requirements
To learn more about the program, please visit the Girton College Lifelong Learning page where you will find details of course offerings (including outline syllabi), information about college life, the social activities included, full details of fees, and a digital brochure.
Deadline
See the Awards Overview page for the Lifelong Learning Summer Program at Girton College application window.
Questions
Questions regarding the online submission process should be addressed to sigmatdapply@niu.edu.
