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Get to Know Us FAQs
Get to Know Us FAQs
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Grants
Who is eligible for NCIV grants?How are seed grants dispensed?
What is the deadline to hold community summits?
How do I plan for a community summit?
NCIV Network News
What is the NCIV Network News?How often is it published?
How can I get a copy of the NCIV monthly newsletter?
Can I have an extra copy of the NCIV newsletter?
Can I submit an article or discuss an idea for a contribution?
Internships
When does NCIV hire interns?How many interns does NCIV hire each semester/term?
What should I expect as an intern?
How much time must I commit for the internship program?
Am I going to be compensated?
How do I apply for internships?
What is the internship application deadline?
Board of Directors
How often does the NCIV Board of Directors meet?How can I obtain contact information for a certain Board member?
Where can I find the NCIV Board of Directors nomination form?
Annual Photo Contest
Who can participate in the photo contest?What are the rules and prizes for the photo contest?
Membership
How can I become an Individual Member of NCIV?What benefits do Individual Members receive from NCIV?
What benefits do Associate Members receive from NCIV?
Online Resource Directory
We have new staff members in our organization. Would you update the information on the ORD?How do I update my membership or staff contact information in the ORD?
General Questions
What is the username and password for the Member's Corner on NCIV website?How can I participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program?
How can individuals receive information for international students who want to study English in the United States?
I am interested in receiving financial aid or scholarship grant from NCIV; how can I apply?
How does NCIV relate to the International Visitor Leadership Program?
How do I get a visa or sponsorship to come to the United States?
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Q: Who is eligible for NCIV grants?
A: Community Member Organizations (CIVs) of the National Council for International Visitors are eligible to apply for various grants. Associate Members, Individual Members, and nonmembers of NCIV are not eligible for NCIV grant opportunities. If you are a CIV and would like to learn about the different grants available, you can learn more at the Grants page in the Member Corner.
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Q: How are seed grants dispensed?
A: NCIV began distributing seed grants to promote citizen diplomacy in September 2005. Annually NCIV dispenses seed grants of up to $2,000 each. NCIV seed grants will be dispensed in amounts up to $1000 to NCIV members who play a lead role in actively organizing a community summit on citizen diplomacy. Applications are reviewed and grants distributed at the end of each quarter until the $20,000 in grant money runs out.
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Q: What is the deadline to hold community summits?
A: There is no deadline for community summits to be held.
The first National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy was held July 12 – 14, 2006, in Washington, DC, and was the culmination of the first round of community summits, of which there were 50. An additional round of community summits culminated with the second National Summit on Citizen Diplomacy in February 2008.
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Q: How do I plan for a community summit?
A: Information about how to plan a community summit can be found in the Member Corner of NCIV’s website.
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Q: What is the NCIV Network News?
A: The NCIV Network News is the monthly print newsletter of NCIV. It features information about NCIV members, happenings, and trends in international education and exchange, and various programs being offered by NCIV. It is also distributed electronically as the eNetwork News.
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Q: How often is it published?
A: Once a month.
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Q: How can I get a copy of the NCIV monthly newsletter?
A: You must be an NCIV member (individual or organizational), a donor, or otherwise affiliated with NCIV to be on the mailing list. We do not put nonmembers on the mailing list.
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Q: Can I have extra copies of the NCIV newsletter?
A: You can find past newsletters online under News & Publications. For physical copies, contact Collin Burden ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
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Q: Can I submit an article or discuss an idea for a contribution?
A: Contact Collin Burden ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to discuss newsletter contributions.
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Q: When does NCIV hire interns?
A: NCIV interns are invited to work for one academic term: fall, spring, or summer.
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Q: How many interns does NCIV hire each semester/term?
A: Two, normally.
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Q: What should I expect as an intern?
A: The internship position takes on particular significance in an office of nine full-time staff members. Interns are given a balance of short- and long-term projects in outreach, advocacy, publications, conferences, and other areas depending on their backgrounds, skills, and interests. They work with all members of the NCIV staff on special programs, as well as daily administrative functions. Interns are often invited to attend special educational and cultural events outside of the office.
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Q: How much time must I commit for the internship program?
A: Internship starting and ending dates are flexible based on the intern's academic calendar. We ask our interns to work a minimum of 24 hours per week (three full workdays) for at least eight weeks. Most internships last 10 – 14 weeks.
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Q: Am I going to be compensated?
A: Full-time and part-time internship opportunities are available. Interns are paid at a rate equal to Washington, DC, minimum wage (currently $8.25 per hour). For an intern who works a full-time, 10-week internship, this amounts to a total of $3,300. Additionally, the president will complete forms or evaluations necessary for the intern to receive academic credit for the internship.
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Q: How do I apply for internships?
A: Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it one MS Word document which includes a cover letter, resume, 2 – 4 page writing sample, and a list of two references with phone numbers.
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Q: What is the internship application deadline?
A: Application deadlines vary each semester. See our Employment & Internship page to find out the deadline for the upcoming internship period.
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Q: How often does the NCIV Board of Directors meet?
A: The NCIV Board of Directors meets three times per year, twice in Washington, DC, and once at a location determined each year.
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Q: How can I obtain contact information for a certain Board member?
A: Contact Zac Carr ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for Board contact information.
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Q: Where can I find the Board of Directors nomination form?
A: Application guidelines and other application information can be downloaded in the Member Corner, under the Forms section.
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Q: Who can participate in the annual photo contest?
A: Only NCIV network members and employees or volunteers of NCIV members can enter the NCIV Photo Contest (no government employees).
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Q: What are the rules and prizes for the photo contest?
A: Rules and prizes for the photo contest vary from year to year. For more information, click here.
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Q: How can I become an Individual Member of NCIV?
A: Contact Haley Willis ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for more information on becoming an Individual Member.
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Q: What benefits do Individual Members receive from NCIV?
A: All NCIV Members receive the following basic benefits:
•A complimentary copy of all NCIV publications, including the monthly NCIV Network News.
•Members are also invited to submit articles to be considered for inclusion in the NCIV Network News.
•Member-rate admission to NCIV events including national and regional meetings and other training sessions. Members are also invited to display promotional materials at no cost at these events.
•Consultation with NCIV staff.
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Q: What benefits do Associate Members receive from NCIV?
A: All NCIV Members receive the following basic benefits:
•A complimentary copy of all NCIV publications, including the monthly NCIV Network News. Members are also invited to submit articles to be considered for inclusion in the NCIV Network News.
•Member-rate admission to NCIV events including national and regional meetings and other training sessions. Members are also invited to display promotional materials at no cost at these events.
•Consultation with NCIV staff.
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Q: We have new staff members in our organization. Would you update the information on the ORD?
A: No. CIV, NPA, and Associate Members are in charge of maintaining their own information in the Online Resource Directory (ORD). Please note that keeping your information current in the ORD is imperative to receive visitors.
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Q: How do I update my membership or staff contact information in the ORD?
A: To edit your organization’s information, click on the blue ORD tab and under “Search NPA/CIV Organizations," locate your organization and press the “Search Directory” button. Click on your organization’s name and then click the “Update” button. Here, you can provide background information on your organization’s work and your community. (NOTE: Only administrators can edit their organizational profiles. If you are not listed as an administrator and would like to be, please contact Stafford Kay at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).
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Q: What is the username and password for the Member Corner on NCIV website?
A: Contact Haley Willis ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to obtain a username and password.
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Q: How can I participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program?
A: Foreign leaders participating in the International Visitor Program are professionals and emerging leaders in foreign countries who are nominated for the program by U.S. ambassadors in those countries. NCIV does not play a role in the selection process.
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Q: How can individuals receive information for international students who want to study English in the United States?
A: Individuals who wish to attend any educational programs or English language school need to request an application form directly from their interested educational institutions or universities in which they are interested. Some organizations provide programs and publications about educational opportunities as well as financial aid can be accessed through these websites. The following websites might be helpful:
•www.iie.org
•www.cies.org
•www.cipusa.org
•www.acypl.org
•www.aipt.org
•www.irex.org
•www.ptpi.org
•www.worldaffairscouncils.org
•www.nafsa.org
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Q: I am interested in receiving financial aid or scholarship grants from NCIV, how can I apply?
A: NCIV does not sponsor individuals to come to the United States, nor does it offer any scholarships or grants to individuals overseas and in the United States. We provide services to our members. Other organizations provide information on student exchange programs and grants or scholarships to study in the United States.
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Q: How does NCIV relate to the International Visitor Leadership Program?
A: NCIV is a membership organization whose members include program agencies and 94 community-based organizations. These nonprofit organizations devise schedules of activities, meetings and briefings (referred to as ''programs'') for International Visitors participating in the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The schedules include professional and cultural activities, as well as time spent in the homes of U.S. citizens who have volunteered their services as citizen diplomats.
The basic goals of the IVLP are to provide Visitors with an in-depth exposure to their professional fields and opportunities to interact and exchange ideas with their U.S. counterparts; and to send these leaders home with a better understanding of the history and heritage of the United States and the common human aspirations we all share. The U.S. Department of State provides an overview of the IVLP here.
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Q: How do I get a visa or sponsorship to come to the United States?
A: Individuals need to apply for sponsorship directly from their interested organizations or schools by following the application procedures set by those organizations before applying for a visa to come to the United States. Please visit http://www.state.gov to learn about visa application procedures for different countries.
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