Scholarships
Some funds and organisations offer scholarships and grants for participants on study and volunteer programs abroad. Check out the following and see if you are eligible to apply. Good luck!Scholarships for all Participants
GoAbroad.com Volunteering Scholarships Directory
GoAbroad.com Internship Scholarships Directory
A directory of many different scholarships for a variety of program types including international volunteering and internships.
Scholarships for UK Participants
Jack Petchey Foundation Individual Grants for Volunteering Programme
The Jack Petchey Foundation’s Individual Grants for Volunteering supports young people aged 11–25 in London or Essex who are planning volunteering projects at home or abroad. Grants cover up to 50% of project costs, with awards ranging from £150 to £500 (with a maximum of £500 per person). You must submit your application between 2 and 12 months before your project’s start date. Once approved, the grant is paid directly to a UK-based organisation running the project. This funding has powered projects that benefit communities, schools, health services, and conservation work, both locally and overseas.
Scholarships for US Participants
Boren Awards
The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. undergraduate or graduate students. Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages and commit to working in positions critical to U.S. national security. Some Boren awards fund internships or research abroad in addition to immersive language study. The application deadline for the Boren Scholarship is on January 29, 2025. The Boren Awards application is now closed for the 2024-25 cycle. The 2025-2026 application will open in mid-August 2024. Boren Awards funding may be applied to programs starting as early as June 1, 2025, or as late as March 1, 2026. Applicants will be notified in mid-to-late April if they have been selected.
Christianson Grant
The Christianson Fellowship provides $2,500–$15,000 to U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 18–28 who design and carry out 6–12 month, self-initiated service projects abroad. Eligible applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent and propose projects that are full-time, community-focused, and not for academic credit, religious, or investigative purposes. Fellows work directly with local organizations on sustainable initiatives such as education, health, conservation, or community development. Funding ranges from $2,500–$10,000 for six-month projects and up to $15,000 for year-long projects, depending on duration and local cost of living. Applications are due March 15, July 15, and October 15, 2025 (next deadline: October 15, 2025), with grants awarded six to eight weeks after each deadline. Since 2007, more than 100 Fellows have served in over 40 countries, contributing to meaningful projects while gaining valuable intercultural experience.
DIWC Scholarship
The DIWC Study Abroad Scholarship awards $500 to women of color U.S. college students with a minimum GPA of 2.7 who have been accepted into an in-person study abroad or international internship program lasting at least four weeks. Applicants may be U.S. citizens or non-citizens, including DACA recipients, and funds may be used for tuition, books, supplies, or personal expenses. Deadlines for 2025 are mid-April for summer programs, mid-July for fall programs, and mid-November for spring programs. Applicants must provide proof of program acceptance, meet GPA requirements, and submit the online application by the relevant deadline. The scholarship helps reduce financial barriers and expands access for women of color to meaningful international education experiences.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program grants U.S. citizens with a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to study, conduct research, or teach English abroad for an academic year, with benefits including a stipend, health insurance, and travel support. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens (permanent residents not eligible), hold or be completing a bachelor’s degree, and apply via their institution or as at-large applicants for the October 7, 2025, deadline. The application undergoes institutional, national, and host-country reviews, with final selections confirmed by medical and visa clearance. Since 1946, Fulbright has awarded around 1,600 student grants annually and produced distinguished alumni across global leadership, science, and the arts.
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
The Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant offers $1,000 to eligible undergraduate students attending institutions with active Phi Kappa Phi chapters—those with a minimum GPA of 3.75—who have applied to or been accepted into accredited study abroad programs launching between May 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Applications open on December 15, 2025, and close on March 15, 2026, with recipients notified by May 1, 2026. Applicants must apply via the online portal and submit transcripts, two recommendation letters, and evidence of program acceptance. This one-time grant supports academic, cultural, and personal development through international learning.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship awards up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate Pell Grant recipients for credit-bearing study abroad or internship programs in travel advisory–approved locations, with additional supplements for critical-need languages (up to $3,000) and STEM research (up to $1,000). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals enrolled at accredited U.S. institutions, and may only receive the award once. The March 2025 deadline (student: March 6; advisor: March 13) applied to programs starting May 2025–April 2026, with notifications in May. The next cycle opens mid-August 2025 (deadline: October 3; advisor: October 10) for programs beginning December 2025–October 2026, with decisions sent in December. Applicants apply through the online portal, submitting essays, transcripts, program documentation, and advisor certifications. The program empowers low-income students to develop global competencies, strengthen cross-cultural understanding, and contribute to national security.
The University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center offers several scholarships—including the Gopher, Liftoff, First-Generation, and President’s Emerging Scholars Fund, the Gap awards—designed for undergraduates at Twin Cities or Rochester campuses participating in credit-bearing study abroad programs. Eligibility varies by scholarship, with some requiring an essay and demonstrated financial need (e.g., First-Generation) and others offering broader access (e.g., Liftoff). Award amounts range from approximately $500 for short-term travel to $2,000 for full-year programs, applied directly to the student account. Application deadlines vary: Liftoff and Gopher operate on rolling cycles; First-Generation applications close February 12, 2025, with notifications sent 4–6 weeks later; CLA scholarships are awarded in June, December, or April, depending on program term. Some CLA scholarships are automatically granted, while others require essays and FAFSA verification. These funding opportunities reduce financial barriers and widen access to global experiences for diverse student populations.
Rotary Foundation Scholarships
Rotary International offers scholarships via its Foundation and local clubs—including fully-funded Peace Fellowships for graduate or certificate study in peace and development, Global Grant Scholarships for graduate study aligned with Rotary’s seven areas of focus, and flexible District Grant scholarships for local or international academic pursuits. Eligibility and funding vary: Peace Fellowships cover tuition, room, board, and field study; Global Grants match district contributions for 1–4 years of study; District Grants address a wide range of educational needs. Programs are offered in partnership with local Rotary clubs—candidates apply through clubs, which endorse and process applications. These scholarships empower emerging leaders, foster cross-cultural exchange, and support global development.
The Going Abroad Scholarship
Going Abroad Scholarship awards $1,500 to U.S. students planning credit-bearing study abroad programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university. The scholarship supports a wide range of destinations and program lengths, with funds applied directly to study abroad expenses. Applications typically involve a short essay, with deadlines announced annually on the Going website. The program aims to make international experiences more accessible by easing financial barriers. Applications typically open once per year. Exact dates are announced on the Going website and via email to members.
These are only the most popular resources. However, there are plenty more of scholarships available. We recommend checking the CollegeBoard website for more options depending on your specific criteria and qualifications.
Page Last Updated: 19 August 2025
