The International Linkage Program (ILP) was established in 2004 and is comprised of three primary organizations—IISE, UNESCO International Bureau of Education, and Rotary International. ILP was originally established by several prominent faculty members at the University of Pittsburgh and leaders of each of the partner organizations, including Seth Spaulding, Bunt Singh, Clementina Acedo, Susie Rauch, Rachel Burcin, Maureen McClure, and John C. Weidman. Early initiatives within ILP included a unique model for ILP participants to join the World Heritage Program, Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TST) Program, and the GigaPan Project in connection with Carnegie Mellon University.

The most recent ILP initiative is entitled HIV Education Integrated Curriculum Project in East Africa. ILP emphasizes IISE commitment to international partnerships with the United Nations and other leading international development education organizations.