Auburn opens grants to expand study abroad opportunities and global engagement

The Auburn University Office of International Programs is offering new grant opportunities designed to strengthen the university's global academic connections and expand study abroad opportunities for Auburn students.

Applications are now open for the OIP Academic Advisor Grants and OIP Study Abroad Development Grants, with both opportunities offering up to $5,000 in funding. Applications for both grants are due Nov. 1, 2026.

Together, the grants are designed to support Auburn faculty and academic advisors as they develop international partnerships, explore new study abroad opportunities and build stronger connections between Auburn students and institutions around the world.

 

Academic Advisor Grants strengthen exchange partnerships

Through the OIP Academic Advisor Grants, the Office of International Programs will award grants to two to three advisors representing different colleges to travel to one of Auburn's university-wide exchange locations during the Spring 2027 semester.

The three-day visits are intended to give advisors a firsthand understanding of the academic structures and systems at Auburn's exchange partner universities. Advisors will learn more about courses available in English and how those courses could transfer back to Auburn, while also developing relationships with counterparts at the host institutions.

The goal is to create a broader network of Auburn advisors who can help students navigate university-wide exchange opportunities and prepare for study at partner institutions.

“By developing relationships with our international counterparts and gaining a better understanding of the academic opportunities available, advisors can play an important role in helping Auburn students make the most of an exchange experience,” according to the grant announcement.

Potential destinations for the three-day visits include:

· University of Twente in Enschede, Netherlands

· Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea

· Universidad de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica

· Universidad Nebrija in Madrid, Spain

Grant recipients will be expected to travel during Spring Break or in May after exams have concluded. Grants of up to $5,000 will cover reasonable expenses associated with the trip, including housing, flights and MIE.

Applicants for the Academic Advisor Grant must submit a short essay of no more than 650 words addressing three questions: how they will use the exchange opportunity to internationalize their college or department and support incoming exchange students; how the exchange and travel will benefit their students; and how they will promote the exchange opportunity to students within their college.

 

Study Abroad Development Grants create new opportunities for students

The Office of International Programs is also offering 10 or more Study Abroad Development Grants to encourage the creation of new study abroad opportunities for Auburn students.

The grants will provide up to $5,000 to support faculty travel for site visits as they explore the development of new study abroad programs. Undergraduate programs are preferred.

By supporting faculty travel to potential program locations, the grants are intended to help Auburn expand its study abroad offerings and create opportunities in locations and academic areas that may not currently be well represented among Auburn programs.

Applicants who receive a Study Abroad Development Grant will be required to participate in a Study Abroad Development Workshop offered by Auburn Abroad on March 24, 2027. Grant recipients must also meet with Caitlin Murray with WorldStrides during the first two weeks after receiving the grant.

A review team from the Office of International Programs will evaluate applications. Priority will be given to proposals that are oriented toward undergraduate students, applicants who have not previously traveled abroad in a professional capacity, applicants who have not yet led a study abroad program and programs proposed in unique locations or locations where Auburn currently has limited program offerings.

Selected applicants may receive up to $5,000 in travel funding to support the development of a new study abroad program.

 

Expanding Auburn's global academic opportunities

The two grant programs provide faculty and academic advisors with opportunities to build international relationships while helping strengthen the academic foundation behind Auburn's global education programs.

For advisors, the Academic Advisor Grants provide an opportunity to visit exchange partners, better understand available coursework and establish relationships that can support Auburn students before and during their time abroad.

For faculty interested in developing new study abroad programs, the Study Abroad Development Grants provide funding to explore potential locations and build new opportunities for Auburn students.

Applications for both grant opportunities are due Nov. 1, 2026. Faculty and academic advisors interested in developing Auburn's international opportunities are encouraged to review the application requirements and submit their materials by the deadline.

To apply, please visit this link.