IIGE Study Abroad Awards

Deadline for Applications: Friday, March 14, 2025

2025 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 promote cross-cultural understanding.
• To promote global engagement, citizenship, and leadership.

Student Eligibility

Current University of Washington Tacoma undergraduate students who have applied to a study abroad program or internship through UW Tacoma Study Abroad, UW Seattle Study Abroad, or UW Bothell Study Abroad. Programs should typically be at least three weeks in length. Priority will be given to first-time applicants and to programs in emerging economies.

Award

$1,000 each. Number of awards vary with availability of funding.

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 500 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 1,000 words). This statement must also directly address/acknowledge the expectations explained below under "Award Process and Student Expectations."

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

Successful award recipients will be informed as soon as possible after a final decision is made. Typically, winners will receive awards via direct deposit during the quarter in which they plan to study abroad. 

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 2025 Global Honors Study Abroad Workshop (typically the third week of November). 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 the Spring 2026 Global Engagement Conference (typically the second or third week of May). This may be in a poster presentation or panel presentation format.
4. Inability to participate in the Study Abroad Workshop or Global Engagement Conference must be explained in the applicant’s personal statement with a description of an alternate mode through which they will share their study abroad experience with UW Tacoma students.
5. 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 to the IIGE Program Administrator immediately. Failure to follow these provisions may result in the forfeiture of the award.

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 iigehelp@uw.edu.  
• All questions regarding UW Study Abroad programs should be directed to the Office of Global Affairs.

IIGE-SN [09.09.2024]