Undergraduate International Research Grant

The Undergraduate International Research Grant is only available to students participating in the following programs:

• Aachen UROP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program)
• Aalto Summer Research 
• Chinese University of Hong Kong Summer Undergraduate Research Program
• City University of Hong Kong Summer Research Program
• TU Graz Research
• Uni Graz Summer Research
• Liverpool Summer Research
• National University of Singapore Summer Research in Science
• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Research Opportunities
• Approved research placement at one of our exchange partner institutions. Please speak to the Global Learning Advisor for your program.
• Additional opportunities will be added as they become available.

Please note that most of the above programs have their own deadlines which are separate from, and may not coincide with, the Research Grant application deadline. Application to these programs and to the Research Grant is a separate process.

If you are participating on another program that you think might be eligible, please contact us at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to determine your eligibility.

To be eligible for an Undergraduate International Research Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be accepted to one of the programs listed under "Eligible Programs", the program must be at least 5 weeks in length, must commence between April 16th, 2024 - August 25th, 2024;
• Must be registered full time in an undergraduate degree program at the University of Calgary;
   
• Must be returning to the University of Calgary after completion of the international research experience;
   
• Must have completed at least twenty (20) courses (60 units) towards their undergraduate degree program by the time they go abroad (may include transfer courses);
• Must have a minimum academic standing of 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) over the last ten (10) courses taken (note: some research programs may have higher GPA requirements);
• Have not previously received funding from the Undergraduate International Research Grant. 

A printable version of the above guidelines are available here. A link to the guidelines will be added before the next application round.

The committee will not consider applicants who:

• Are attending conferences;
• Are already on their program abroad or have completed their program;
• Are registered in a graduate degree program;
• Are not registered in a degree program at UCalgary;
• Submitted a late application.
• Are receiving funding of $2000 or more from other sources, such as DAAD RISE, MITACS, or internal grants such as the Antje Graupe Pryor (AGP) Foundation Award, PURE, SURE (Vet Med) or others.

All University of Calgary undergraduate students who meet the eligibility requirements listed above may apply. Follow these steps:

1. Please log into RAISA.
2. Complete/update your profile.
3. Click on the ‘Funds’ tab.
4. Search for the Undergraduate International Research 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.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGES WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure the application is complete and has been submitted prior to the deadline.
Applications that are saved but not submitted will not be considered. 

Additional notes regarding the application process:

• The grant application asks if you are receiving credit for your program. Receiving credit for the program you are selected to is not a requirement to be eligible for the grant. 
• Students may not receive an Undergraduate International Research Grant and a Global Learning Award for the same program/experience, or for consecutive programs at the same institution. If you are going on more than one study/research abroad program in different periods of time within the Grant commencement dates, you can only receive funding for one of the programs. Please choose one program and apply for the appropriate funding for that program.
• Following the completion of your program/experience abroad, you will be required to submit a program report and participate in promotional activities regarding study abroad. See information in "Requirements" section below.

The selection committee will review the applications of all eligible students, including the requested Statement of Purpose. Consideration of applications for funding is on a competitive basis. 

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 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 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.

Withdrawn -You have not been able to complete the research program or an acceptable alternative and are therefore ineligible for the grant 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 Undergraduate International Research Grant paid to me?

Once you have been accepted, here are the steps you will need to complete to receive your Undergraduate International Research Grant:

Step 1: Provide confirmation of your acceptance by your host university and/or research project supervisor

Step 2: Enter your banking information through your Student Centre. Under 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)

Step 3: Accept the "Terms and Conditions" for this grant in RAISA. You can read the "Terms and Conditions" here. 

When will I get my grant paid out?

Students must provide their banking info and agree to the Terms & Conditions prior to receiving their payment. 

For a printable version of the Undergraduate International Research Grant Terms and Conditions please e-mail intlstdt@ucalgary.ca.

General:

1. I have applied for one of the research programs on the Eligible Programs list 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.

2. How much is the Undergraduate International Research Grant?

For the Spring/Summer 2024 round, there will be 12 grants of $2,500 each.

Eligibility:

1. If I have received an Undergraduate International Research Grant for one research program, am I eligible to be awarded the grant a second time if I want to apply to a different eligible research program next year?

No. The Undergraduate International Research Grant is limited to one per student, not per program.

2. If I am participating in a UCalgary program as a Visiting Student (e.g. from MRU) am I eligible to be awarded an Undergraduate International Research Grant?

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

3. If I have applied to transfer to UCalgary so this program may count towards my degree once I am accepted, am I eligible?

You must be accepted into a UCalgary degree program by the application deadline and meet all other eligibility requirements. Most students will not receive confirmation that they have been accepted for transfer until mid-summer. If you apply before your transfer is approved, you will not be an eligible applicant.

4. 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 application deadline, you may now be eligible.

5. 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 Undergraduate International Research Grant. Please contact the Students’ Union (if you are an undergraduate student), or the Faculty of Graduate Studies (if you are a graduate student) to see what other options are available to you.

6. I am not eligible for the Undergraduate International Research Grant. Can you suggest other sources of funding?

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

7. I am an International Student. Can I apply for an Undergraduate International Research Grant to help with the cost of my studies at UCalgary?

No. The Undergraduate International Research Grant is only awarded for research conducted through an eligible program outside of Canada. However, international students registered in a degree program at UCalgary who have been accepted by UCalgary to participate in one of the eligible research programs listed above (and meet all other requirements) are eligible for the Undergraduate International Research Grant funding.

8. I will have finished all the requirements for my degree before the research commences/after the research ends, am I still eligible? 

No. Students must be returning to UCalgary for at least one additional semester following their research program.  

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

All grant recipients must participate in a promotional event or contribute a promotional submission that is equivalent to 2 hours of volunteer work or comparable effort.

Please let us know what promotional requirement you would like to participate in by emailing the International Study Travel Grant email at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca. We suggest picking 2 options in case your first one is not available. 

Here is a PDF version of the list.
 

1. Volunteer for in-person marketing events or promotional assistance: 

This requires a time commitment of 2 hours total or 2 shifts. All the necessary information will be prepared and provided to you. Most of our marketing events occur in September and throughout the Fall semester, with limited opportunities in early Winter semester. Opportunities include: 

• Tabling: Sign up to help staff one of our promotion tables, hand out brochures, and help answer general questions. You will need to sign up for 2 shifts to complete your 2-hour volunteer commitment. You will be notified when shifts have been created and posted in Elevate. We will have multiple opportunities to sign up for shifts throughout the semester. 
• Postering: Help us get posters up around campus! You will take a set of posters to designated buildings where you will ensure all the notice boards have our posters. Please be sure to hit all the floors of the buildings. You will need to sign up for 2 shifts to complete your 2-hour volunteer commitment. You will be notified when shifts have been created and posted in Elevate. We will have multiple opportunities to sign up for shifts throughout the semester. 
• Classroom Visits: Give a brief presentation on study abroad opportunities (slides provided). These spaces are quite limited, so please pick a back-up option in case these are not available. 
• Info Sessions/Presentations: Join one of our info sessions to satisfy your requirements. Please note, these are invitation only by instructors or Global Learning Advisors. Let us know if you are interested in participating in a presentation, info session, or panel and we will make note of it - but plan to have another option in place to fulfill your requirements as these opportunities are quite limited.
• Volunteering with a non-Global Learning event (outside of our office): Volunteering for events not organized by the Office of Global Learning but still affiliated with a UCalgary faculty or department can count towards your hours but are subject to approval. These events must contain a component of promoting a Global Learning program or experience. Please send an email with details to intlstd@ucalgary.ca prior to the event for approval.

2. Apply to be a Content Creator: 

While you are abroad you can apply to be a Content Creator. Our Content Creators write blogs, collect and submit photos, and help with Social Media promotions and takeovers. Being a Content Creator fulfills your entire promotional requirements. Applications to be a Content Creator typically open in the month or two ahead of your departure. Please email us at intlstd@ucalgary.ca and CC study.abroad@ucalgary.ca if you have any questions or are interested! Please note, this option is not available if you have already returned from your program.

3. Write a blog or article: 

Students who write a blog for our UCalgary Abroad page about their experience in one of our programs can have their 2-hour requirement fulfilled. If you are interested in writing a blog, please notify our team at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca and follow the instructions provided in our Blog Guidelines. 

There are instances where other forms of writing or articles might count towards your requirements. This includes writing for other UCalgary online sources that promote study abroad opportunities (e.g. a faculty’s blog, website, or program information page), articles that are published by on-campus publications (e.g. Gauntlet, UThisWeek), articles written for relevant student club newsletters, or if you were interviewed by or wrote for your host institution while abroad (we would need permission to re-post and share the article on our blog page). Please contact intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to discuss any of these possibilities.

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. 

4. Submit a collection of photos: 

Students who submit 15-30 photos can have their 2-hour requirement fulfilled. These photos should document your study abroad experience, with special emphasis on the student experience (i.e. photos of you and friends at your host university and host city, not on landscapes). The goal is to use these photos in our marketing materials, so ensure they are good quality and high resolution. 

Please notify our team that you intend to submit photos for your requirements at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca and follow these instructions: 

• Select 15-30 high quality, high-resolution photos with good lighting and clear focus. photos must be in jpeg or png format (no heic photos please)
• Label each photo
• Create a separate word document that describes/gives context to each photo and your study abroad experience (do NOT put your photos in this document) 
• We will create a unique google drive link for you to submit your photos. Please email us at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca to let us know when you are ready and we will send that link to you. 
• Download and sign this release form
• Upload your photos, word document, and release form to your Google Drive file

Please note, all photos must be submitted individually. Do NOT put them in a word doc, pdf, etc. Pasting/saving photos in a document not only makes it difficult to utilize for materials, but it severely degrades their quality. 

 
5. Social Media Takeover: 

One of the ways that you can fulfil your 2-hour volunteer requirement is to create a one-day social media takeover for us. This involves sharing stories and pictures about your experience in your program. If this is what you would like to do to satisfy your requirements, please email us at intlstd@ucalgary.ca. You will be given instructions on how to sign up through Elevate. These opportunities are limited and fill up quickly, so please pick a back-up promotional requirement in case this option is no longer available. 

6. Enter our International Video Contest: 

Each Fall semester in the month of October the University of Calgary International (UCI) holds an International Video Contest. Students who have been abroad are encouraged to submit a short video promoting the city, university, and experience they had while abroad. Submissions can count for the following hour equivalents: 

• A shorter “reel” style submission of 60-seconds will count towards 1-hour of volunteer work. You will need to sign up for additional postering or tabling to fulfil the rest of this requirements 
• A longer submission video format (usually around 5-6 minutes) will count towards a full 2-hours of volunteer work 

Please refer to our International Video Contest website for more information on the contest and how to apply. If we are outside of the contest window and you are not able to submit an entry, please select a different option to fulfil your requirements. 

7. Enter (and win) our International Photo Contest:

Students who enter and place in the International Photo Contest (honorable mention or higher) can receive 1-hour worth of volunteering credit towards their promotional requirement. Make sure to notify the coordinator at intlstdt@ucalgary.ca regarding your participation. 

For instructions on how to enter, please check our International Photo Contest Page. The photo contest is usually held during the Winter semester. Please note, simply submitting photos to the International Photo Contest is not sufficient for fulfilling your requirement.

 
8. Volunteer at the Global Learning Office as an Ambassador: 

Students who volunteer as Global Learning Ambassadors will have their promotional requirement fulfilled. As an ambassador you will assist students interested in our programs, conduct peer advising, and help with promotional activities throughout the semester/year that you are involved.  

This is a formal, long-term role in our office that you must apply for. Applications are typically taken once per year, usually in April or May. Please see the website for more information. If we are outside of the application window, please select a different option to fulfil your requirements for the travel grant. 

 
9. Suggest an idea!  

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

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

Click here for the 2023/24 survey

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