Global Access Fund

Let us help you fund your international study program!

Funding First! The Global Access Fund is unique in that students apply for this funding prior to submitting their study abroad application. Results will be announced in advance of study abroad application deadlines so that the funding can be applied toward any up-front program costs. 

Grant Amount:  

  • The Global Access Fund is valued at up to $5,500 CAD
  • This is a competitive pool with limited awards available. 

 

Questions? Contact us at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca

Important Information

Application status: Open from September 2nd, 2025

Deadline: October 14th, 2025

This round of the application is for students intending to use the Global Access Fund for study abroad programs during the next academic year: Spring 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Winter 2027 semester (programs starting between May 2026 to April 2027).

  1. Selection Criteria

    University of Calgary International recognizes that all students have individual circumstances that may impact their ability to participate in a global learning experience. All University of Calgary students who meet the eligibility requirements listed here will be considered. However, preference may be given to applicants who:

    • Demonstrate financial need;
    • Communicate commitments and circumstances outside of academia such as community, faith/spiritual, employment and/or family commitments;
    • Communicate unique individual barriers to participation in a global learning experience outside of Canada, with clear explanation of the unique individual barriers to participation;
    • Communicate belonging to an underrepresented or equity deserving group(s); along with specific barriers, related to identity, that has caused challenges in the ability to study abroad;
    • Have not previously participated in a UCalgary global learning experience such as an Exchange, Group Study Program, International Internship, Research Program or Field School.

    A printable version of the Global Access Fund guidelines are available here.

     

  2. Eligibility

    To be eligible for a Global Access Fund grant, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

    • Will be participating in a credit-bearing UCalgary study abroad program outside of Canada, such as an exchange or Group Study Program. Applicants pursuing work-based programs (co-op, practicum, or internship) may be considered in cases where the pay is insufficient to cover costs of participation;
    • Will 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 application;
    • Applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing at least four (4) courses at the time of application, and have completed at least eight (8) courses (24 units) toward their undergraduate degree program by the time they go abroad (may include transfer courses);
    • Have not previously received funding from the International Studentship, International Study Travel Grant competition, Undergraduate International Research Grant, Global Learning Award, Global Access Fund or Global Skills Opportunity GIS scholarship;
    • There is no minimum GPA (Grade Point Average) to apply for the Global Access fund. However, students must be in good academic standing and good conduct standing.

  3. Ineligible candidates

    The committee will not consider applicants who: 

    • Are participating in a global learning experience within Canada;
    • Are attending conferences;
    • Are registered in a graduate program;
    • Are not registered in a degree program at UCalgary;
    • Have already commenced their global learning experience;
    • Have completed their global learning experience at the time of applying for the Global Access Fund;
    • Have received funding previously from Global Learning Award or International Study Travel Grant, Undergraduate International Research Grant, Global Indigenous Skills scholarship, or Global Access Fund; and/or
    • Submit a late application. 
  1. Log into RAISA, our application portal for programs and funding.
  2. Complete/update your profile.
  3. Click on the ‘Funds’ tab.
  4. Search for the 2026 Global Access Fund and click on the apply button.
  5. In the Program section, please enter the program you have applied to or are planning to apply to. If this has not yet been determined or confirmed, we encourage you to write about the program type or location that you may be interested in.
  6. Complete your application by responding to the following questions:
    • Please identify at least 3 global learning benefits that are most relevant to you. Explain how each of the benefits you identified will support your career goals or your ability to contribute/enhance your engagement in community/society.
    • Please describe any roles or responsibilities that you navigate aside from your academic studies (i.e., work, volunteering, clubs, sports, caregiving, etc.). Provide a general overview of your tasks and level of commitment for each. Make note of any leadership positions you hold in relation to these activities.How have these experiences helped prepare you for a global learning experience?   
    • Please explain how this grant can support you in achieving your goal of participating in an overseas global learning opportunity.  We welcome you to comment on any global learning experiences you are currently considering as well as challenges that have prevented you from applying to participate in global learning in the past.
    • Optional: Please review the selection criteria outlined in the Global Access Fund Guidelines and describe any individual circumstances that you wish to have considered as part of this grant application.  
  7. Once you have completed the application, make sure to submit it. Please note: you need to press "Submit". Saved applications will not be considered by the committee past the deadline. 

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

  1. Log into your RAISA account; and
  2. Click on the tab labeled “My Applications” and then click "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 a grant. 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- Unfortunately, you have not been awarded a grant. 

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. 

Once you have been accepted, you will need to complete a few steps in order to receive your Global Access Fund. You will be given instructions in your acceptance email. Please review these instructions very carefully.

Upon your return, you must submit a Program Report Survey. Depending on the source of your funding, specific instructions will be e-mailed to you after completing your global learning experience. This report will need to be completed within three weeks of completing your experience abroad.

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