International Programs (IP) provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for University of Iowa (UI) faculty engaged in international research, partnerships, and other activities.
“IP’s funding of faculty research supports Iowa’s research mission on a global scale,” said Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. “Funding from our office enables faculty to pursue their scholarship abroad, to connect with colleagues at international institutions of higher learning, and to burnish Iowa’s reputation as a leader in the generation of knowledge worldwide.”
Faculty funding opportunities through International Programs include:
Center for Asian and Pacific Studies Research Awards
A faculty research award for conducting research on East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region. Awards will not exceed $3,000 and are competitive.
Center for Asian and Pacific Studies Travel Awards
An award for faculty members traveling to give presentations at both domestic and international conferences. Faculty members must be engaged in research on East Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Pacific region. Awards will not exceed $800 for traveling to conferences domestically (including Canada) and $1,200 for traveling to conferences internationally.
Global Curriculum Development Awards
A faculty award to create a new undergraduate course, or substantially revise an existing course, to integrate international or global perspectives into an undergraduate major. Up to three separate awards of $3,000 can be awarded each year.
Global Research Partnership Awards
An award intended to help initiate new, or expand existing, international partnerships and/or to build an institutional relationship to facilitate future joint research projects. Up to two separate awards of up to $10,000 each can be awarded each year.
“I would highly recommend UI faculty take advantage of these valuable opportunities to revisit old projects using new collaborations and new technologies. For me, it was particularly gratifying to see my graduate research being taken into the future by a new generation of students and scholars.” - Katina Lillios, professor, Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, traveled to Portugal in June 2025.
International Programs Co-Sponsorship Award
Formerly the Special Projects Award, this award supports events, programs, and activities that advance internationalization at the University of Iowa. Funding is available to campus units offering internationally focused programming that enhances students’ global learning, intercultural understanding, and engagement with international perspectives. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
“This funding allowed us to support schools who needed financial assistance in paying for transportation to the annual International Day Conference at the University of Iowa. Schools that otherwise would not have been able to attend due to the high cost of buses were given access to this event as a direct result of this funding.” - Pamela Wesely, associate dean for faculty and graduate education, professor of multilingual education, College of Education.
International Travel Awards
Supports international travel for research, creative activity, and active conference participation or other collaborative activities. International Travel Awards are for up to $1,000 (although higher or lower amounts may be awarded in some instances).
“This [award provides] an excellent opportunity to present your work abroad, which serves as both a meaningful professional refresher and a valuable networking experience. The award connects you with informatics and research communities not only across the United States but also internationally, expanding your scholarly network in ways that domestic conferences alone cannot. I strongly encourage junior faculty to apply and take advantage of this unique opportunity.” - Sena Chae, assistant professor, nursing, College of Nursing, traveled to South Korea in June 2026.
“The International Travel Award is an incredible asset to Iowa faculty and a wonderful opportunity to sharpen and broaden our ideas in productive contexts. I recommend applying to anyone whose ideas would benefit from diverse perspectives, especially the emerging research in underrepresented and neglected communities. Ideas and knowledge should know no boundaries—this award helps make that ideal a reality.” - Justin Cosner, associate professor of instruction, English, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, traveled to Germany in May 2026.
Linkages and Partnerships Awards
As a new funding opportunity, this award is meant to support the development of focused, collaborative initiatives with international partners that strengthen the University of Iowa’s global research, teaching, or programmatic capacities. Funding may be used for activities such as preliminary data collection, partner meetings, small-scale joint projects, and planning efforts that position collaborators for future opportunities. Awards range from $2,000 to $5,000.
Major Projects Award
Promotes important contributions to scholarly debates and exchanges on international topics, issues, discoveries, and arts. Funding is for a one-year period beginning July 1 of the year following the application deadline. A single project will be funded, up to $12,500. The award does not allow funding of faculty and graduate assistant salaries.
The 2025 Major Projects Award, Assessing Chemsex-related Mental Health Outcomes Among Priority Populations in Lagos State, Nigeria, by Oluwafemi Adeagbo, assistant professor of community and behavioral health, College of Public Health, is planned for summer 2026. This project will feature a mixed-methods research study in Lagos State, Nigeria, combining large-scale surveys and in-depth interviews to examine chemsex-related mental health outcomes among priority populations, with findings disseminated through academic publications, stakeholder workshops, and conference presentations to inform harm reduction and psychosocial interventions.
Provost's Global Forum Award
A premier annual campus event focused on international and global issues. The forum brings together faculty experts and leading voices from a variety of areas to raise awareness about, and contribute to, debate on the foremost issues in globalization that face us today. Up to $20,000 will be awarded to support programming in the academic year following the spring application deadline.
The 2025 Provost’s Global Forum, Cinematic Connections in a Polarized World: How Movies Bring Us Together, was awarded to Elke Heckner, associate professor of instruction, German; Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures; UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Denise Filios, associate professor, Department of Spanish & Portuguese, UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Summer Research Fellowships
Awarded to promote the internationalization of research on campus, resulting in at least one publication, exhibit, or performance. $3,000 is awarded for each summer research fellowship.
“The International Programs Summer Research Fellowship was essential in supporting my month-long artist residency at Taller 99 in Santiago, Chile. It also provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen international partnerships that will support future student and faculty exchanges.” - Anita Jung, professor, School of Art, Art History, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, traveled to Chile in May 2025.
International Programs’ funding opportunities are supported in whole or in part through the generous contributions of the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization.
International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement. IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.