Global Learning Award

To be eligible for a Global Learning Award, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Student programs abroad must align with the correct award competition. For example, if you apply for the Fall 2026 Award the starting and/or ending dates and any transfer credit is applied to the Fall 2026 term.
• Must be earning credit towards a degree at the University of Calgary (UCalgary), i.e. accepted into and registered in a degree program at time of submitting the award application;
• Must be participating in a UCalgary Global Learning program such as a Student Exchange, Group Study Program, or Teaching Across Borders, or an unpaid credit-bearing work-based program such as a Co-op, Practicum, Internship or Research placement;
• Must be obtaining a minimum of three units of academic credit towards their degree for their study abroad experience (three units = one half course equivalent = one (1) semester course);
• Have a minimum academic standing of 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) over the last eight (8) courses taken for undergraduate students OR are graduate students in good academic standing (flexibility can be provided for students with documented accommodations);
• Have completed at least eight (8) courses (24 units) towards their undergraduate degree program by the time they go abroad (may include transfer courses) OR completed at least one semester of their graduate degree program prior to going abroad;
• Applicants with less than eight (8) courses completed towards their undergraduate degree program at the time of application must have at least four (4) courses completed with a minimum of 3.0 GPA and have completed at least eight (8) courses with a 3.0 GPA, prior to travel; and
• Have not received funding from the Global Learning Award, International Study Travel Grant, International Studentship, UGo Virtual Learning Grant, Undergraduate International Research Grant, or Global Skills Opportunity Program including the Global Indigenous Skills or the Global Access Fund competitions. Recipients are not eligible for more than one award for an individual experience and preference will be given to applicants who are not receiving another award in the same term.
• Note: in the budget section strong consideration may be given to applicants who demonstrate how this award will close the gap of existing unmet financial need that hinders participation in your planned global learning program.

Guidelines Links: 

• Spring/Summer 2026 Guidelines
• Fall 2026 Guidelines
• Winter 2027 Guidelines 

For students participating in a global learning program administered by UCalgary International:

1. Please log into RAISA: www.ucalgary.ca/UCI/RAISA
2. Complete/update your profile.
3. Click on the ‘Funds’ tab.
4. Search for the Spring/Summer 2026, Fall 2026 or Winter 2027 Global Learning Award and click on the apply button.
5. Complete your application and make sure to submit it. Please note: you need to press submit. Saved applications will not be considered by the committee past the deadline.

For students participating in a program administered by another faculty/department: 

Please follow the above steps to log into the application system and create a profile. 

When completing the application: 

Under "program details", for program choose “Other”. For the program name, please enter in the name in the following format: Faculty – Program Type – Partner Institution (for exchanges only) – Country. For example:

• Schulich – Exchange – Stuttgart,
• Education – TAB – Vietnam,
• Haskayne – Exchange – Bocconi, or
• Social Work – Practicum – Barbados.

To check the status of your application, please follow these steps:

1. Log into RAISA: www.ucalgary.ca/UCI/RAISA
2. Click on the tab labeled “My Applications” and then click on "view fund applications".

The status of your application will be shown on the right-hand side of the Fund application title.

Here is what each status means:

Accepted - Congratulations, you have been awarded an award. You will receive an email within 24 hours of this status change with the award details. If it has been more than 24 hours, please email intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to have the letter re-sent. Please make sure to check your junk/spam mailbox.

Applied - Your application has been completed and successfully submitted. Your application will remain at the applied status until the system is updated with the committee decisions.

Declined - Regretfully, you have not been awarded an award.

Saved - You have a draft application. Any applications that are saved are not considered by the committee. Please ensure you complete and submit your application by the deadline.

Withdrawn -You have not been able to complete the study program or an acceptable alternative and are therefore ineligible for an award so your funding has been withdrawn. This is only used for students who withdraw an application before the committee considers it or who withdraw after they have been awarded.

What do I need to do to have my Global Learning Award paid out?

Once you have been accepted, here are the steps you will need to complete to receive your Global Learning Award:

Accept Terms and Conditions:

1. Log into RAISA: http://www.ucalgary.ca/UCI/RAISA
2. Click on the tab labeled "My Applications", and then click on "view fund applications".
3. You should be able to see a button called “Registration." Please click on it and check the box that confirms you have read and understood all the terms and conditions for receiving the grant.

Update your banking information:

1. Enter your banking information through your Student Centre: http://my.ucalgary.ca
2. Go to the "My Financials" section and click on "Submit Direct Deposit Info" (NOTE: this is in very small text at the base of the "Awards and Scholarships" block.)

When will my award be paid out?

Students must provide their banking info and accept the Terms & Conditions prior to receiving their award.

The award payment will be scheduled for disbursement once all terms and conditions of the award have been accepted and acceptance by the host institution is confirmed by the awardee or the Global Learning Advising team. 

General:

1. Are there any changes from previous competitions?

Yes. The Global Learning Award is now opening applications earlier to better align with our priority deadline for study abroad program applications. You can apply before you are accepted to your program. You should also receive notification of the award before you receive program acceptance.

2. I have applied for a study program but have not received confirmation of my acceptance, am I still eligible?

Yes. You can apply based on the tentative dates and details for your proposed program. If the committee chooses to award you funding, it will be contingent on you providing proof of participation in the program.

3. How much is the Global Learning Award?

Since available funds are divided among chosen recipients, no exact estimate for funding amounts can be provided. We anticipate between $1,000 – 2,000 per recipient, however, this is subject to change.

Eligibility:

1. If I previously received an International Studentship Award, or an International Study Travel Grant, am I eligible for the Global Learning Award? 

No. The Global Learning Award, formerly known as the International Study Travel Grant, is limited to one per student.

2. If I previously received an International Studentship Award or an International Study Travel Grant, and I have since changed into a different degree program, am I eligible for the Global Learning Award?

No. The Global Learning Award is limited to one per student, not per degree program.

3. If I am participating in a UCalgary program as a Visiting Student (e.g. from MRU) am I eligible for the Global Learning Award?

No. Students must be earning credits towards a UCalgary degree.

4. I have applied to transfer to UCalgary, so my global learning program will count towards my degree once I am accepted. Am I eligible for the Global Learning Award?

You must be accepted into an UCalgary degree program by the Global Learning Award application deadline. Most students will not receive confirmation that they have been accepted for transfer until mid-summer. If you are planning on participating in a winter semester global learning program, you can apply in the fall competition for funding if your transfer is not finalized by the March deadline. If you apply before your transfer is approved, you will not be an eligible applicant.

5. I am an Open Studies Student, am I eligible?

No. Open Studies students are not officially registered in a degree program so they are not earning credit towards a degree. If you were an Open Studies student in the past but you have been accepted into a degree program at UCalgary by the Global Learning Award application deadline, you are eligible. Note: For students who are completing their degree shortly before participating in their Global Learning experience and will participate in their Global Learning experience as an open studies student, providing you are registered in a degree program at UCalgary at the time of submitting your application you would be eligible. 

6. I am looking to attend a conference related to my thesis/research/degree, am I eligible?

No. Conferences are not eligible for funding through the Global Learning Award. 

7. I am not eligible for the Global Learning Award. Can you suggest other sources of funding?

We have compiled a list of funding options for students to further investigate. Click here for more information.

8. I am an International Student. Can I apply for a Global Learning Award to help with the cost of my studies at UCalgary?

No. The Global Learning Award is only awarded for studies undertaken outside of Canada. However, international students who are participating on a global learning program (such as an exchange or group study) are eligible to apply for the Global Learning Award.

9. I applied for the Global Learning Award in a previous year or previous degree but did not receive it. May I apply again?

Yes! You are only ineligible if you have received the award before and were paid. 

Payments:

1. I have not yet received my award. What do I do?

Please check your bank statement for the month that you were supposed to receive your award. The money should have been deposited either on the 10^th or 25^th of the month. If you do not see it, please connect with our awards team at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca for next steps.

Promotional Requirements:

1. I want to see if a promotional activity will be accepted. Who do I contact?

Please send an email with the details to intlstdt@ucalgary.ca

Upon your return, you must complete our Program Survey with Testimonial. This is due within three weeks of completing your period abroad.

Click here for the 2024/25 survey (for global learning programs undertaken in Fall 2024, Winter 2025, or Spring/Summer 2025)

Click here for the 2025/26 survey (for global learning programs undertaken in Fall 2025, Winter 2026, or Spring/Summer 2026).

Any questions or technical difficulties should be directed to intlstdt@ucalgary.ca.