Explore the many opportunities!
You are encouraged to begin your funding searches and applications at least six months to one year in advance. You are required to apply for funding through Karen Wachsmuth, fellowships and grants manager.
Contacts
Karen Wachsmuth, DMA
Sylvia Dean, MA in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)
Types of Awards
Stanley Awards for International Research
Deadline: January
Available to: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Stanley Undergraduate and Graduate Awards for International Research are given annually to outstanding University of Iowa students for the pursuit of research and learning activities outside of the United States.
Boren Scholarships
UI Campus Deadline: January
For Undergraduates, please contact IP Grants for an appointment by mid-November
Available to: Undergraduate and graduate students
Boren Scholarships (Undergraduate) and Fellowships (Graduate) are an initiative of the National Security Education Program. They provide funding for U.S. students to study less commonly taught languages in regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
U.S. Fulbright Student Program UI Campus
Deadline: August 27, 2026
Available to: Undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and alumni
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is designed to give recent Bachelor’s graduates, Master’s and Doctoral candidates, young professionals, and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience.
Critical Language Scholarship
Deadline: Mid-November – please contact IP Grants for an advising appointment by mid-October
Available to: Undergraduate and graduate students
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The fully funded program held in country includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains equivalent to one year of college language instruction.
DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Scholarships
UI Campus Deadline: Early November – please contact IP Grants for an advising appointment over the summer or at the beginning of the semester.
Available to: Undergraduate and graduate students
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a variety of funding opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and professional scholars to study and research throughout Germany.
Center for Asian and Pacific Studies (CAPS) student funding opportunities
Deadline: Varies
Available to: Graduate students and PhD fellows
The CAPS Graduate Conference Travel Award is for graduate students of either master or doctoral level who need financial support to attend a conference with a presentation on studies on East Asia, Southeast Asia, or the Pacific region.
The CAPS Graduate Fellowship provides PhD candidates who have passed their prelims or comprehensive exams to benefit from a one-time stipend to enable them to cover research-related expenses or for time to pursue their scholarly research activities to facilitate completion of their doctoral degree in a timely manner.
Key Resources
The application process for students seeking international grants, scholarships, and fellowships can seem overwhelming, but there are many resources available for you!
Foreign Language Resources
Often for competitive external and UI internal funding international opportunities abroad, a language component is required. Students may take language courses to assist with this condition, however some might want more practice or find out their language of interest is not taught at the university. These Foreign Language Resources will help you find language classes, language partners and tutors, and faculty evaluators.
Sign Up for IP Grants Announcements
If you are interested in learning about different international funding options or events hosted by International Programs such as workshops or panels, join the listserv for International Program Grants Announcements.
University of Iowa Institutional Review Board (IRB) Information
Some research projects, involving human subjects, require approval from the University of Iowa's Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Mandatory International Travel Insurance
While traveling with any University of Iowa program, students must register for international travel insurance through International Programs.
IP Grants Announcements
If you are interested in learning about international funding options or events hosted by International Programs such as workshops or panels, join our IP Grants Announcements list.
International Grants and Fellowships News
UI alumna Brenda Gao awarded Fulbright to teach English in Taiwan
UI alumna Callan Dockry awarded Fulbright to teach English in South Korea
9 UI students awarded Gilman Scholarships for 2026
