2027 Study Abroad Awards

The Institute for Innovation and Global Engagement (IIGE) promotes a globally engaged university through collaborations and partnerships that connect the classroom to the world. As a portal for globally-focused experiential learning and community engagement, it advances the University of Washington's imperative to be boundless, and adds momentum to UW Tacoma's strategic goal to advance global learning. Among other transformative international and cross-cultural experiences, this includes the promotion of for-credit University of Washington Study Abroad.

The IIGE $1000 Study Abroad Award is intended for study abroad program fees, flights, and incidental expenses while studying abroad.

Purpose

  • To promote UW Tacoma student participation in UW Study Abroad.
  • To enable students who have not previously studied/traveled abroad or who would not otherwise have the opportunity to do so to participate in UW Study Abroad.
  • To promote cross-cultural understanding.
  • To promote IIGE pillars of interdisciplinary research, inclusive innovation, and community engagement.

Student Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, you must meet all of the following critieria:

  1. Be a current University of Washington Tacoma undergraduate student who has applied or plans to apply to a study abroad program or internship through UW Tacoma Study Abroad, UW Seattle Study Abroad, or UW Bothell Study Abroad.
  2. Plan to participate in a program or internship that is at least three weeks in length outside of the United States, and is a minimum of 5 credits.
  3. Expect to graduate in Spring Quarter 2028 or later.

Award Amount

$1,000. Number of awards is contingent upon funding.  

Application Deadline:  April 4, 2027

We anticipate communicating award decisions by mid/late April 2027.

Application Process

Application Process

Applications may be submitted online using the following form: IIGE Study Abroad Award Application. Applicants must answer a series of questions and include:

  • A brief application statement, explaining their interest in a specific study abroad program (up to 250 words).
  • A personal statement, explaining how study abroad fits or complements their academic and career goals, and how the experience will impact their understanding of themselves and others (up to 500 words). 

Review Process and Criteria

Applications will be submitted to a committee consisting of UW Tacoma faculty and staff. Committee members will be invited to serve based upon their experience working in contexts/capacities relating to global, international and cross-cultural education. The committee will receive a rubric to assess application and personal statements, and decisions will be based upon student need and merit.

Award Process and Student Expectations

  1. Successful recipients will be notified promptly after the final decision is made.
  2. Awards are disbursed during the quarter in which the student plans to study abroad.
  3. Typically, winners will receive awards via direct deposit.

Upon completion of study abroad, award winners are expected to:

  1. Complete the IIGE Study Abroad Award Completion Form.  Deliverables include thank you letter to the Bamford Foundation, photos from study abroad program experience, and digital and hard copy of a study abroad poster for Global Engagement Conference.
  2. Share their experience at the Autumn Quarter 2027 IIGE Study Abroad Awardee Presentations.  This will be in an individual presentation format.  If students are unable to participate in person, they will be asked to record their presentation.
  3. Share their experience at a poster session at the Spring 2028 Global Engagement Conference (typically the second or third week of May). 

If award recipients fail to secure a place in their preferred study abroad program, change study abroad program, cancel participation in their study abroad program for any reason, or otherwise alter their plans, this must be communicated in writing to the IIGE Program Administrator immediately. 

NOTES: 

  • To be eligible for this award students must be in good standing of program requirements.
  • Students are advised to contact Financial Aid to determine how receiving this award might impact your aid package.
  • All questions concerning the IIGE Study Abroad Award may be directed to the IIGE Program Administrator at iige@uw.edu
  • All questions regarding UW Study Abroad programs should be directed to the Office of Global Affairs.

IIGE-SN [08.17.2026]