Global Scholars Scholarship

The Global Scholars scholarship supports UW-Madison students who plan to take part in a study or intern abroad program (including study away) offered by UW-Madison and who are currently enrolled in or affiliated with the Center for Educational Opportunity, Mercile J. Lee Scholars, Office of Experiential Learning Internship Program, First Wave, McNair Scholars, PEOPLE, NDGNS UW, or Posse programs. Applicants must be in the process of applying, or have already applied, to a program for the eligible term. Priority will be given to students who have not previously been on a study abroad/away program. Students who have previously received the Global Scholars Scholarship are not eligible.


Eligibility Criteria
Students must participate in one of the following programs:

  • Center for Educational Opportunity
  • Mercile J. Lee Scholars
  • Office of Experiential Learning Internship Program
  • First Wave
  • McNair Scholars
  • PEOPLE
  • NDGNS UW
  • Posse Program

Students must be in the process of applying, or have already applied, to a UW-Madison program.
Students must have at least one semester on UW-Madison’s campus after returning from their program
Students must commit to attending a Global Scholars Scholarship Pre-boarding meeting, Post-departure meeting, and completing a Global Scholars Project.

How to Apply
The application deadline is September 29, 2025. If your program application isn’t required to be completed until after this date, you must still submit your scholarship application by this date to be considered; however, you must already be in the process of applying to your program to be eligible for this scholarship. Incomplete scholarship applications or paper application submissions will not be considered. To apply, please log into Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) through your student center or by logging in directly using the ‘My Applications’ button at the top of this page. Make sure you have answered “Yes” to the following question in the WiSH general application: Do you plan to participate in an approved study abroad, intern abroad, or domestic study away program during the next two academic years (including summers) (202-26 or 2026-27)? You can find and apply to an approved program at www.studyabroad.wisc.edu.

Selection Criteria
Student applications will undergo a holistic review. The following considerations will be used to determine the recipients for this competitive award:

  • Financial Need
  • Good Academic Standing
  • Connection of Program to Major/Career Goals
  • First Time Studying or Interning Abroad/Away
  • First Generation College Student
  • Socioeconomic Status
  • Two Short Essays
  • Other awards received/offered for study abroad (UW-Madison or External Funding)

Award Information
Scholarship amounts may vary and range between $500 – $2,000toward cost of attendance for UW Study Abroad program.


Conditions of Award
Completion of the program is a requirement of the scholarship. Recipients are also required to attend a pre-boarding meeting and post-departure meeting with the Global Scholars Committee prior to their departure and upon return from their program. Additionally, recipients must complete a Global Scholars Project upon their return that connects their academic, career, and personal goals through documentation of their experience and intentional reflection. Samples of previous projects include, but are not limited to: blogging, writing, visual documentation, videos, recorded audio, slideshow, podcasts, or a combination of sources.


Visit program site

Award
Varies
Organizations
International Academic Programs (IAP)
Deadline
09/29/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. In which of the following program(s) do you participate?
  2. Who is your advisor for the Program listed above?
  3. Have you met with your Program advisor about your study abroad plans?
  4. What are your intended major/s and certificate?
  5. Is your intended study abroad program four weeks or longer?
  6. Have you been accepted into this study abroad program?
  7. Have you received any funding or scholarships to support this study abroad program?
  8. If Yes, please list all scholarships, fellowships, awards or grants with the amounts you have received.
  9. Have you previously participated in a study abroad program?
  10. If Yes, please tell us where, when and for how long you studied.
  11. In submitting this application I confirm and agree to the following requirements for eligibility:
    1. 1. I am in good standing within my Progam.
    2. 2. I have applied to a UW Madison-International Academic Programs (IAP) study abroad program
    3. 3. I will have at least one semester on UW Madison's campus after I return from my study abroad program
    4. 4. I will attend the required Global Scholars pre-boarding and post-departure meetings, and submit my Global Scholars Project on or before the due date

    PRIOR TO DEPARTURE:
    • Meet with my Program advisor
    • Intentionally make a plan for the items you will need/collect for the Global Scholars Project
    • Attend the Pre-boarding session

    UPON RETURN
    • Attend a Global Scholars Post-boarding meeting and submit the Global Scholars Project before the due date
  12. Why do you want to study abroad? How did your background and interests contribute to selecting your program location and course of study?  (limit to 500 words, or as an audio file of 3 minutes or less). Save your audio file with Global Scholars_YOUR LAST NAME
  13. How will this program support you in reaching your overall academic, professional, and personal goals upon returning to campus? How will you continue to integrate your experience abroad and stay engaged with international topics upon your return to campus?   (Limit to 500 words, or as an audio file of 3 minutes or less. Save your audio file with Global Scholars_YOUR LAST NAME
  14. How many more semesters do you have left on campus after returning from your program?
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