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 a minimum $5,500.00 CAD

  • Up to 35 Global Access Fund awards will be distributed each academic year  

 

The Global Access Fund is sponsored by UCalgary International and the Global Skills Opportunity through Employment and Social Development Canada.

Questions? Contact us at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca

Important Information

Application status: Closed.

Deadline: October 22, 2023

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 2024, Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Winter 2025 semester (programs starting between May 2024 to April 2025).

GSO Logo Blue

  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 at least four (4) courses at the time of application, and 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 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, or Global Indigenous Skills scholarship, 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 2024 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.

How can I fulfill my promotional requirement?

1. Volunteer at our Marketing Events:

The most common option available to students is to staff a study abroad promotional display set up by UCI or one of the faculty offices (e.g. Science, Schulich, Haskayne). This requires a time commitment from volunteers, but all of the necessary information is prepared and provided for you.

There are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to participate. The majority of UCI marketing events occur in the Fall semester, with some in early Winter semester. Please note there are limited opportunities available for staffing display booths outside of weekdays between 9am-3pm. 

2. Volunteer at the Study Abroad Office:

Students who volunteer as Global Learning Ambassadors can use that to fulfill their promotional requirements. Ambassador applications are typically taken once per year in the summer; see the website for more information.

3. Enter our International Video Contest:

Each Fall semester, UCI holds an International Video Contest. Students who have been abroad are encouraged to submit a short video promoting the city and experience they had. This can be counted toward your study abroad promotional requirement. For more information, please check with an UCI staff member in the month of October or see the International Video Contest website.

4. Write a Blog/Article:

Blogs/articles about your experience abroad are only accepted if they can be directly used by UCI staff for promoting a program. If you are interested in writing a blog, please follow the instructions provided here. 

Other forms of writing that may be accepted include: articles written for other UCalgary online sources (e.g. a faculty’s blog or program information page), articles that are published by on-campus publications (e.g. Gauntlet, UThisWeek) or on a faculty website designed to promote study abroad opportunities, articles written for relevant student club newsletters, etc. Please contact intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to discuss your ideas and report your activity.

If you wish to use articles published on your personal blog towards your promotional requirement, you will need to contact intlstdt@ucalgary.ca in advance to discuss this possibility.

5. Make a Presentation:

Participation in classroom presentations or program information sessions as a past participant are also accepted towards your promotional requirement. However, for this to count, students must be specifically chosen by the instructor or an UCI staff person coordinating the event. Students who are not invited by the organizer will not have it credited towards their promotional requirements. This includes students who simply show up at a classroom to make a presentation. Students are strongly encouraged to contact us at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca for details.

Volunteering for events not organized by UCI but affiliated with a UCalgary faculty or department are also generally acceptable (e.g. Medical electives information nights, MBA information sessions, presentation at orientations, etc). Please send an email with details to intlstd@ucalgary.ca.

6. Have your photo used in our Marketing Materials:

Students who provide photos from their trips that are used by UCI for official promotional activities will also be credited ½ hour towards their promotional requirement. Students who place in the International Photo Contest (honorable mention or higher) will receive ½ hour credit towards their promotional requirement. Make sure to advise the Administrator at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca regarding your participation. Please Note: simply submitting photos to the International Photo Contest is not sufficient.

7. Social Media Takeover:

Many students find out about study abroad through our social media accounts and we love to share the stories of our current and previous students. One of the ways that you can fulfil your volunteer obligation is to create a one-day social media takeover for us. This will involve sharing stories and pictures about your experience in your program. We typically send out a call for volunteers for this task at the beginning of each semester, or you can contact us in advance of this call at intlstd@ucalgary.ca.

8. Suggest an idea! 

We are always looking for new promotional suggestions. Let us know your idea by emailing intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to see if it will count toward your hours!

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.