The new scholarship will support a student from a low-income family in the USA to undertake a semester at the University as a visiting student.

Queen’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Greer said: "At Queen’s we offer a world-class education that prepares our students for leadership and citizenship in a global society, two attributes that Norman Houston exemplified in his work as a diplomat.

"Norman was a great advocate for widening participation in international education and supported initiatives such as the Ulster Project and Washington Ireland Program for many years. As an institution, we are proud to create this award in partnership with the Northern Ireland Bureau, honouring Norman’s legacy in the USA and beyond."

Applications for the award will open in February 2022 and Queen’s will welcome its first recipient to campus at the beginning of the new academic year in September. 

The award will provide a full-tuition and accommodation package for a ‘study abroad’ semester at Queen’s and will be offered to a student from the USA with high financial need. The Northern Ireland Bureau, Washington DC, will also support this scholarship, providing return flights for the student.

Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau Andrew Elliott said: "The Bureau is delighted to support this award, in memory of our friend and colleague, Norman Houston.

"We also recognise, as Norman did, the enormous value that can be added when tomorrow's leaders in the US have experience of university life in Northern Ireland during their formative years. Norman would have been thrilled that this award is being made in his name."

Full details of the award and the associated application process will be published in January 2022. Enquiries can be sent to Senior International Officer for North America, Anya O’Connor: anya.oconnor@qub.ac.uk

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