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Grants, Scholarships & Fellowships

Paulo Freire International Community Service Grant

• Volunteer abroad for a minimum of 9 weeks during the summer
• Participants research and design their own project with assistance from the Learning Abroad Center
• Up to four grants for a maximum of $2,000 per recipient awarded each year
• Open to University of Minnesota undergraduate students who will be returning the following fall semester

Child Family Health International

• Offering partial ($1000) and full scholarships during 2008 and 2009. Scholarships are to be used toward the program fees for CFHI programs.
• Scholarships available during certain months only
• Scholarships will be given to students who demonstrate a commitment to their communities as well as financial need and an interest in exchanging ideas and sharing experiences with people in Bolivia, Ecuador, India, Mexico and South Africa.
• Priority will be given to people of ethnicities underrepresented in CFHI programs, as well as those who have had limited opportunity to travel abroad and no prior international health experience.

College of Biological Sciences Murray D. Rosenberg Memorial Fund

• Offering travel assistance for undergraduate biological sciences students at the University of Minnesota who wish to conduct research or provide humanitarian service in socio-economically depressed areas of the world or the United States.
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be eligible, students must register for at least 13 undergraduate credits in the semester following completion of this experience
• Application deadlines: November 15 and April 1
• Typical awards will be in the $500-$1,000 range and are issued upon completion of the experience
• For more information and application instructions, please visit the College of Biological Sciences study abroad website

Cross-Cultural Solutions International Internship & Volunteer Fellowship

• University of Minnesota students can receive a fellowship of $455 applicable towards a Volunteer or Intern Abroad program through Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS)
• Not need or merit based; all students who apply through the Learning Abroad Center will receive the fellowship while funds last.  Students must contact the Learning Abroad Center and be nominated for the scholarship before turning in application materials to CCS.
• Contact Emelee Volden at the Learning Abroad Center before applying to the program. Please include name, email, phone, student ID number, mailing address, program type and location, dates of program, academic major, and graduation date. CCS will contact each interested applicant to further discuss the details of their program.

Global Experiences: Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate Abroad Fellowship

• University of Minnesota students can receive a fellowship of $100 applicable towards the TEFL Certificate Abroad program through Global Experiences
• Contact Emelee Volden at the Learning Abroad Center, who will collect your contact information and confirm eligibility for the fellowship to Global Experiences.

Global Volunteers International Volunteer Fellowship

• University of Minnesota students can receive a fellowship of up to $400 applicable towards an international volunteer program through Global Volunteers
• The full fellowship amount is broken down as follows: $100 for University of Minnesota students, $200 student discount, $100 discount for sending and receiving materials online.
• Not need or merit based; all students who apply through the Learning Abroad Center will receive the fellowship while funds last. Students must contact the Learning Abroad Center and be nominated for the scholarship before turning in application materials to Global Volunteers.
• Contact Emelee Volden at the Learning Abroad Center, who will collect your contact information and confirm eligibility for the scholarship to Global Volunteers.

The Interexchange Foundation Working Abroad Grant

• The Working Abroad Grant through The Interexchange Foundation is open to applicants who have already been accepted to an Interexchange Aupair, Internship, Teaching English, Volunteer, or Work & Travel program.
• Award amounts will cover the Interexchange program fee plus $2000 towards airfare and other expenses while traveling abroad.
• Visit The Interexchange Foundation for application materials, deadlines, and instructions.

Upper Midwest Human Rights Fellowship Program

• Gain practical experience through a field-based internship of approximately 10 weeks with a human rights organization
• Open to residents of the Upper Midwest
• Approximately 20 grants, ranging from $1,000 to $4,500 and averaging around $3,200, are awarded each year

CLA Undergraduate Internship Grant

• Grant for an unpaid internship experience related to recipient's learning and future career goals
• Open to University of Minnesota CLA undergraduate students
• Four to six grants of $1,200 are awarded every fall, spring, and summer

The Christianson Grant

• The Christianson Grant through The Interexchange Foundation is open to applicants who have sought out and arranged their own work, intern, or volunteer programs abroad.
• Two awards of $10,000 for 12+ months; 2 awards of $5000 for 6+ months; 4 awards of $2,500 for 6+ will be given
• Visit The Interexchange Foundation for application materials, deadlines, and instructions.

Fundraising

Be creative and diligent in finding ways to fund your experience abroad. Community organizations or your neighbors may be willing to help fund you. When asking for contributions, explain how you intend to use the money or donated items. Let them know what this experience will mean to you, and share something about yourself. In return for financial assistance, offer to contribute your services or knowledge once you return. You may also offer to update your donors with a monthly email newsletter while you are abroad.  Here are some suggestions for fundraising:

• Check libraries, alumni associations, religious organizations, and community groups for scholarships or grants, or ask them to sponsor a fundraising event on your behalf.
• Contact local heritage organizations for funding, especially if you are palnning on going to a country relevant to the organization's members. Examples include the Swedish-American Society and the Japan American Society.
• Seek professional organizations in the area in which you plan to work or are currently working and inquire about grants or scholarships.
• Ask credit unions, banks, or major corporations for donations or scholarships.

Last modified on September 29, 2008