Study Abroad Program Development Grants for Faculty

Proposals will be accepted from all levels/ranks of faculty with the support of their department chair/unit head and dean. All proposals submitted must be in support of programs offering academic credit abroad and meet the student participation standards established by the grant applicant’s college.

Preference factors include:

• First time grant recipients.
• Programs that include courses that integrate into the departmental curriculum (count towards a student’s major in that department as either a requirement or an elective). 
• Programs that will be sustainable and recurring.
• Co-investment from the home department (this need not be an equal match, but some amount of “in-kind” contribution demonstrating the department’s commitment to internationalizing its curriculum).
• Programs that offer opportunities for students who are traditionally underrepresented in study abroad (first-generation students, veteran students, etc.) and/or programs offering courses in underserved academic disciplines.

Previous grant recipients may re-apply for a new grant if the following conditions have been met:

• Faculty successfully completed all requirements of their previously granted award, with preference given to faculty who have successfully implemented the study abroad program for which the grant had been awarded. The review committee may consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• The proposal must clearly outline the need and purpose of the additional grant.

Proposals for programs with two faculty members must clearly outline the need and purpose for both faculty members to participate in the exploratory site visit and/or how both faculty members will contribute to the enhancement of a program already in development. It is the review committee’s discretion, and not a guarantee, whether to award additional grant funding for proposals with two faculty members.

Application must include:

• A completed and signed application form
• A completed and signed Department Chair/Unit Head and Dean Endorsement form
• A two-page (maximum) proposal addressing the evaluative criteria below
  • Funding requests for exploratory site visits must include a detailed itinerary with rationale for the location(s) selected
  • Funding requests for a program already developed must detail how it will enhance the program experience and motivate additional student enrollment
• A one-page itemized grant budget and detailed explanation of each budget item

It is the responsibility of the grant applicant to ensure that any materials initially submitted to the chair and/or dean for signature are received by the Study Abroad Office by the grant application deadline.

Applications are open from December 1st through February 1st annually.

It is anticipated that grant recipients will be notified within two weeks of the application deadline.

• It is required that the proposal clearly and effectively demonstrates that the applicant is qualified to lead the proposed program.
• Impact of Proposal (50%)
  • Will this proposed program increase the study abroad opportunities for UTA students?
  • Will a good number of UTA students be involved in this program, in contrast to only a few?
  • Is there a strong probability of program implementation and/or continuity if this proposal is funded?
  • Is there evidence of positive departmental support for the proposed program?
• Quality of Proposal (50%)
  • Does the proposal clearly articulate a well-thought-out plan for developing a study abroad program/course?
  • Does the proposal contain creative ideas with a credible, appropriate, and attainable approach?
  • Is the budget complete and realistic?

Recipients will work with UTA Study Abroad to implement the programmatic aspects of the proposal and must update the Study Abroad Office regarding the progress of their program development on a regular basis.

It is expected that faculty will actively participate in outreach and promotional efforts throughout the academic year to recruit students for their program, including but not limited to holding information sessions, participating in the Study Abroad Fair, visiting classes/student organizations, and promoting via social media. These recruitment efforts can take place virtually or in-person as conditions permit. Faculty are encouraged to contact UTA Study Abroad for assistance in identifying outreach strategies for their programs.

Faculty who do not complete travel as outlined in the grant proposal are required to return the funds awarded.

Grant funding will be transferred to the grant recipient’s department.

For exploratory site visits related to faculty-led programming:

• Travel is expected to be completed prior to the end of the awarding year. Grantee must meet with the Study Abroad Office prior to travel and provide a narrative report (2-page maximum) within one month of completion of site visit detailing how the visit influenced the development of the proposed study abroad program.
• Grantee must be committed to running a program within two years of receiving the award.
• Travel requests will be completed by the grantee following University procedures and requirements. It is the grantee’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is obtained and that the travel request is submitted for appropriate approval.
• All travel expense reports will be submitted by the grantee according to University procedures and requirements.

For exploratory visits related to the development of new or the expansion of existing reciprocal exchange programs:

• Grantee must be committed to recruitment efforts to promote the exchange program for at least one year following the completion of the visit.
• Grantee must participate in no less than 3 specific activities per semester that seek to promote the exchange program to outbound students. Examples include but are not limited to attending the Study Abroad Fair, conducting informational sessions, hosting advising hours, course cataloging, etc.
• Travel requests will be completed by the grantee following University procedures and requirements. It is the grantee’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is obtained and that the travel request is submitted for appropriate approval.
• All travel expense reports will be submitted by the grantee according to University procedures and requirements.