Are you looking for strategies to improve how your unit’s content shows up in search engines, artificial intelligence chatbots and Illinois.edu? StratCom has launched new SEO/AEO resources to help units improve rankings and search accuracy across Google, Illinois.edu and AI chatbots. Join our hands-on workshop or explore the written trainings to strengthen your pages and make your content easier to find. Register now to get started.

From Jan. 13-30, the Illini Union Tech Zone at the Bookstore will help with your resolutions: Get Organized with a purchase of iPad Air (M2 or M3) or iPad Pro (M4 or M5) with Apple Pencil Pro, and get AppleCare+ at 50% off. Keep Track with 20% off all AirTags, Apple MagSafe Wallet and Satechi FindAll products. Turn it up by saving 20% on all JBL and Beats bluetooth speakers, earbuds and headphones. Show Illini spirit and save 20% on all Illinois emblematic tech accessories.

Sponsored by the MLK 2026 Commemorative Planning Committee, the MLK Champions celebrate campus and community leaders dedicated to justice and equity. Nominations are open for faculty, staff, students and local partners. Nominated individuals will be recognized at the annual MLK Champions event at 6 p.m. Jan. 22, at SDRP — deadline: Jan. 14.

The call for proposals is now open for the BRIDGE Seed Fund, which provides funding to advance Illinois’ research and engagement missions in collaboration with the University of Birmingham. Permanent faculty and research staff are eligible to apply. Proposals in the social sciences and humanities are encouraged as well as proposals that leverage collaborations with partners in the Global South. Proposals are due by March 13. Application information is available on the BRIDGE Partnership website.

The C-U FIRST Lego League Robotics Sectional Tournament occurs Jan. 31 at the Electrical and Computer Engineering building. Support young STEM-enthusiasts by volunteering as a judge, queuer, hosts, etc. No experience needed. Training provided. Register as a volunteer HERE or contact Lara Hebert at wyse@illinois.edu for more information.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. offers the Regeneron Prize to honor excellence in biomedical research conducted by graduate students and postdocs nationwide. Two winners annually are selected for a $50,000 personal cash prize. Applicants are evaluated on their research productivity along with the scientific clarity, elegance, precision and creativity demonstrated through a "dream project" proposal. This is a limited-submission competition, and Illinois may submit up to four finalists for consideration in the national competition. Visit the Regeneron listing in Fellowship Finder for details.

The campuswide Community-Academic Scholars program matches researchers with undergraduate research assistants and provides training, guidance and a stipend to support their success for 10 weeks each summer. Faculty and staff from any discipline who conduct community-engaged research are encouraged to submit a project proposal for summer 2026 by Jan. 28.

The Certified Green Office Program allows departmental offices to submit yearly certification to be recognized for their sustainable efforts, which support the goals of the Illinois Climate Action Plan. Your office can be recognized for actions big and small that contribute to a Greener Campus.

OLLI at Illinois’ spring 2026 course registration is open! OLLI offers a wide range of non-credit, in-person and online courses designed for people 50+. Join our lifelong learning community to enjoy classes, study groups, lectures, interest groups and social events throughout the year! Spring course dates are Feb. 23 through April 18, and there are 4-week and 8-week options available. Find out more at olli.illinois.edu, email us at olli@illinois.edu or call 217-244-9141.

The 11th Annual Illinois Invasive Species Symposium will take place May 28 at the Champaign County Extension Auditorium in Champaign. We are now accepting abstract submissions for presentations. Presentations should be on invasive species projects, research or programs in Illinois. Presentations will be 20-30 minutes in length. Please submit abstracts by Feb. 15. Presenters will be notified by March 1. Please feel free to forward this along to colleagues and partners who may be interested. More information in title link.

The Illini Dads Association is excited to invite registered student organizations and student affairs units to apply for Illini Dads Association Grants for the 2025–2026 academic year. Since 1922, Illini Dads has awarded more than $1 million in grants and scholarships, making a meaningful impact on students for over a century. Each year, nearly $20,000 is distributed to support student organizations and initiatives. Applications are due at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30. 

Would you like to help provide a free tax preparation service? The Gies VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program needs community volunteers. Volunteers do NOT prepare tax returns. We need volunteers on-site at Salt and Light in Urbana to greet taxpayers and ensure they have the information needed for accurate tax filings. Especially looking for volunteers who are multilingual. Volunteer shifts are available on weekdays, evenings and Saturdays from Feb. 1 through April 15. Training (in-person or online) starts in January. Sign up now!

Are you passionate about sharing your culture and connecting with others? Apply to join the Global Educators Program! This program is perfect for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact on campus by representing their country. International students, scholars and their dependents (must be 18 or older) are eligible. Final application deadline: Jan. 12.

The Illinois Soybean Association’s Soy Innovation Center invites pre-proposals to its 2026 SpringBoard Challenge, which encourages innovation at the proof-of-concept stage that could lead to SIC investments and put Illinois on the path of establishing a soy-based innovation ecosystem. The 2026 SpringBoard Seed Funding Challenge will focus on four areas: bioplastics, lubricants, PFAS substitutes and biopolymers. A pre-proposal is required before being invited to submit a full project proposal. Pre-proposals must be submitted at https://www.ilsoy.org/ by April 1.

SHIFT is a 12-week program that helps educators apply human-centered design in real, practical ways. Build new skills, connect with peers and take on a custom design challenge. Register now!

The Office of Technology Management is now accepting applications for funding through the Illinois Proof-of-Concept program. IPOC funds projects that move U. of I. research closer to public use and positive societal impact. Proposals are welcome from all disciplines. Awards up to $50,000. Apply by Feb. 27 for projects commencing summer 2026.

The Future of Health Care and Emerging Trends, taught by Sridhar Seshadri and Ravi Mehta, examines transformative ideas reshaping health care delivery. The course evaluates emerging clinical and business models, the disruptive role of new information technologies and approaches for balancing cost, quality and access while managing change in complex health care systems. Enroll for free with Coursera for Illinois.

Health Care Business Strategy and New Venture Design, taught by Elias Kourpas, examines the strategic, operational and entrepreneurial foundations needed to launch and grow successful health care ventures. The course analyzes external industry drivers, sustainable business models, venture planning, team development, financing pathways and investor engagement within the health care ecosystem. Enroll for free with Coursera for Illinois.

All campus libraries will be closed from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13, for an all-employee event. Library digital resources will remain available during this closure and may be accessed through the Library Gateway. Please arrange your study or research schedule accordingly.

The Beckman Institute now offers a first-floor executive dining room that can be reserved for meals and meetings. The room seats up to 36 and is available for $43 per hour. Beckman offers catering through Ted's Cafe. The new space includes plenty of privacy, a screen for presentations and a beautiful view of the North Quad. You can reserve the space by using Beckman's space reservation software or by emailing spaceres@beckman.illinois.edu.

The Illinois Leadership Center is now scheduling workshops for spring 2026. If you want to get on the calendar, this is your time! We have workshops on conflict management, empathic listening, giving/receiving feedback and more for student employees, affiliated RSOs and any student group you may work with. We look forward to working with you! 

If you want to record a presentation for future use online, it’s best to have a release signed by each presenter. You can get an example form here: https://stratcom.illinois.edu/release-forms/. Unpublished research, NDAs and other privacy issues should be discussed ahead of time.  For more about privacy concerns for your next event, contact NCSA Event Services at eventservices@ncsa.illinois.edu, and we can help you find the information you need.

The ESL Program offers advanced 8-week courses for international graduate students, faculty, staff and visiting scholars for individualized support in publishing an article, writing a dissertation or presenting at a conference. ESL 592 teaches students the academic writing conventions of their discipline; ESL 593 improves skills in speaking and presenting research. Seats available!

The Cancer Digital Insights working group is a collaborative initiative between the Cancer Center at Illinois and the NCSA aimed at advancing cancer research at Illinois through data science and artificial intelligence/machine learning. The CDI Planning Grant Awardee Showcase will feature presentations from recent CDI Planning Grant Awardees. There will be a virtual option, but in-person attendance is encouraged. A networking lunch will be provided. Register here.

CITL is offering multiple sessions this week covering core artificial intelligence concepts and practical teaching uses. Check the calendar for details. There is also still time to join the Generative AI Fluency Certificate pilot. Self-enroll into the Canvas course here. Be sure to subscribe to the AI Newsletter to learn more about spring AI events at CITL and across campus.

Explore artificial intelligence with confidence! Join an interactive session that introduces the AI Fluency Exploration Kit, a hands-on tool designed to help educators reflect on their comfort and confidence with AI in teaching and learning. We will host guided discussions on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and Thursday, Jan. 15, for participants to explore key dimensions of AI integration, including ethics and confidentiality, assignment design, AI learning theories, student-AI collaboration, AI refusal and access and equity. Register online!

Facilities & Services and the Champaign and Urbana fire departments will offer fire extinguisher training during the spring semester in eight different facilities. The course includes a presentation that introduces participants to the basic elements of fire extinguisher use, and every attendee will get to extinguish a digitally simulated fire. Each university-approved event will welcome up to 35 participants. The first session is on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at Bevier Hall.

Learn all about running, from injury prevention and the power of nutrition to race-day preparation and post-race recovery, at The Resilient Runner from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 26, Feb. 23, March 23 and April 20, in the Allerton Mansion Library. Instructor Dr. Laura Cayce will lead students to get ready for race season. $90 per person. Register here by Jan. 12.

Take your knitting skills to a new level at Advanced Knitting: Cables from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, at The Studio at Allerton Park. Students will learn the background of cable knitting from instructor Charlie Rainbow Wolf, then get hands-on practice on how to make raised travelling stitches using a cable needle. Students must be comfortable with knitting and purling. $65 per person. Register here by Jan. 19.

Learn printmaking processes at Lino Cuts and Prints from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, in The Studio at Allerton Park. Billie Theide will help students learn to design, carve, prepare ink and transfer images to make unique works of art. Each student will get a toolkit that will enable them to continue to work at home. $135 per person. Register here by Jan. 18.

Learn how to make paper from local fiber at Intro to Western Papermaking from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, in Allerton’s Evergreen Lodge. Instructor E. Ainsley will help students form sheets made from miscanthus and corn fiber using a mould and deckle tool. Once dried, the sheets can be incorporated into their own arts and crafts projects! $150 per person (Ages 14+). Register here by Jan. 17.

University Laboratory High School will host their LAST prospective family informational meeting this Jan. 15 through Zoom. Please join us to learn more about our values, curriculum and programs. Our application for the 2026-27 school year is now available on our website. Please visit our website to sign up for a meeting, to learn more about our school or to access our application: https://uni.illinois.edu/admissions.

Faculty and post-docs are welcome to join the CITL Faculty Book Club online or in person to dive deeper in discussion on The New College Classroom (Davidson and Katopodis, 2022) book! Connect with colleagues from different disciplines who are curious about the same topics that interest you. Benefits of our book club include free access to the book, a CITL notebook, an Accredible badge and the chance to suggest future reads. Hybrid Meetings: Attend our meetings on Zoom or in Room 103 in the Armory Building from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 10. Register here!

At 7 p.m. Jan. 19, Andrew White will present Illinois cultural heritage sites, including hundreds of thousands of campsites, villages and cities created by Indigenous peoples before and after the arrival of European settlers. Most of these sites are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which will intensify three main threats: erosion, flooding and development. The seminar is presented in person at Champaign Extension as well as via Zoom (link in registration confirmation). Register HERE.

Learn the practice of Ninjutsu Martial Arts with an experienced instructor and gain vital self-defense skills of distance, awareness and perception. Classes meet every Monday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 2 through April 16, in the Activities and Recreation Center Combat Room. Open to all; no Campus Recreation membership necessary. Register on Active Illini.

Start your day with a low-impact, medium to high intensity water class at Campus Recreation! Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 20 through May 5, at Campus Recreation Center East. Open to all swim levels. No Campus Recreation membership necessary. Register on Active Illini.

Join us for Artventures — an interactive afternoon designed for children (ages 5+) with their families and caregivers. Each session features stories inspired by artworks on view followed by playful gallery exploration that connects the stories to the art. The experience wraps up with open-ended artmaking led by guest artists inspired by the exhibition. Experience the museum in a fun, welcoming way that sparks creativity, curiosity and imagination for the whole family. Stop by to enjoy listening, exploring and creating together! Sponsored by Krannert Art Museum and The Urbana Free Library.

Are you looking to hire student employees for the spring, summer or fall 2026? Register for the Illinois Spring Part-Time Job Fair from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 29, at the Illini Union. In the past, this event has attracted 1,000+ students, making this the perfect place to connect with bright, hardworking students eager to gain experience, earn money and contribute their talents on campus. Registration is FREE for campus units. Space is limited. Register today before spots are filled.

Join us for an engaging presentation, discussion and hands-on practice session designed to strengthen your public-speaking skills. Laura Stengrim will share practical tips and strategies to help you prepare for everyday professional situations, including conferences, poster sessions, interviews and elevator pitches. Come ready to learn, participate and build confidence in your communication skills!

Join Dana Johnson, director of external fellowships at the Graduate College, for a practical and informative session on how to craft strong, competitive fellowship proposals. Learn key strategies for defining your project, articulating your goals and tailoring your application to different funding agencies. Lunch will be provided for registered attendees.  

Registration is now open for the third annual Gies Business Supply Chain Management Conference. The conference will take place March 6-7, and centers around exploring how organizations can minimize environmental impact and make ethical, socially responsible decisions that create long-term value. Register now!

Advocates for Aging Care, a community group, is working to address the critical shortage of skilled nursing facilities in Champaign County. The proposed solution is to create "The Cottages," a new skilled nursing facility. This facility will be a flagship model for the state and nation by providing an innovative approach to skilled nursing care through research opportunities to embed new technologies and educational opportunities for students. Faculty and researchers are encouraged to attend a short informational online session with AAC key organizers to learn more about the project.

Eric Kurt from the University Library will highlight the Media Commons, a service providing interdisciplinary, collaborative, digital media and technology creation tools and spaces where you can access expertise, purpose-built recording equipment and spaces as well as loanable technology in support of your research work.

Are you looking to make your course materials more inclusive but don’t know where to start? Start with this semeter’s Quick Start Accessibility Workshops! These concise, hands-on sessions are designed to provide you with the practical skills needed to ensure your online courses and documents are accessible to all learners. This semester, we are expanding our lineup with three brand-new workshops tailored for STEM and Moodle users to make your math and chemistry courses accessible! Workshops start this week and go through the semester. Sign up and expand your accessibility skills!

Please join us for the January IGET meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14, on Zoom. We will have guest presenters sharing insights about Respondus and Accredible. Along with the presentations, we will discuss the importance of accessibility in our departments. Join us on Zoom.

Starting in February, learn how to analyze bulk RNA-Seq data in a hands-on workshop exploring traditional bulk RNA sequencing, experimental design and bioinformatics workflows using HPC and R. Led by High Performance Computing in Biology, the bioinformatics core of the Carver Biotechnology Center, there will be a 3-day main workshop consisting of lecture and hands-on exercises, followed by an optional 3-day advanced workshop where one can analyze their own data with the aid of HPCBio staff. Please click title link for more details!

Seeking data for research or teaching? U. of I. students, faculty and staff have full access to ICPSR, the world's largest social science data archive, through an institutional membership. Learn more about data sets available, resources for teaching with data and sharing your own data via ICPSR at a live demonstration and overview Jan. 21, via Zoom. 

Are you a prenatal care or mindfulness professional? Do you work with African American women? Please participate in our study to help researchers identify recommendations on components needed in a mindful eating intervention to improve diabetes self-care behaviors, adherence to gestational diabetes management and improvement of depressive symptoms among pregnant African American women. Eligible participants will complete a brief survey and receive a $25 electronic gift card. Please complete the eligibility screener if you are interested https://redcap.link/88pd976t.

Do you have occasional slips in memory? If you or anyone you know is 60+ years old, takes prescribed medication for high blood pressure, has mild problems with memory and uses smartphones, then you are eligible for this study that supports medication taking using smartphones. Compensation provided for participation. For more information, please contact us at 217-244-7383 or medmanage@illinois.edu. 

Help us research financial goal-setting and visualizations in this 1-hour online study. $15 drawing for 100 participants; 35% chance to win. Requirements: 18+ | Located in the U.S. | Fluent in English. Learn more: https://go.uillinois.edu/finvizstudy.

Study on preschool child stress response interventions! The Family Resiliency Center is looking for 3–5-year-olds and a caregiver to attend one session and complete a follow-up survey. We are studying the effects of nature and mindful movement on child stress response. $50 in compensation for completing all study components.

Help make the Next Alcohol Fitbit! The Alcohol Research Lab is looking for participants for a validation study of transdermal biosensing bracelets. Participation involves attending three laboratory sessions, wearing at least two transdermal bracelets (on your non-dominant hand) and filling out surveys for two weeks. Up to $400 in compensation for participation.

Researchers at the U. of I. are seeking individuals between the ages of 18-60 who do NOT have misophonia (a disorder in which certain sounds trigger strong emotional or physical responses) for a cross-national research study comparing people with vs. without misophonia. Participants will be paid a total of $100. For more information, please contact misophonia@illinois.edu.

The Nutrition and Exercise Performance Research Group is looking for participants to partake in a 2-day study to establish the utility of the indicator amino acid oxidation method in adults. Participation in this study involves 2-day habituation lead in with all meals provided, muscle biopsies and blood, breath and urine sampling during two all-day trials. Upon completion, you will receive $150 and information about your body composition and caloric needs. Contact our lab (NEPRESEARCH@illinois.edu) for more information! Male participants are strongly encouraged!