Undergraduate International Research Grant

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

• 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
• 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 the Undergraduate International Research Grant, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Must be accepted to one of the programs listed under "Eligible Programs” (see above), the program must be at least 5 weeks in length, commencing in the Spring or Summer term. Note: Research global learning opportunities in Fall or Winter may be considered with a description of the project and host partner institution/organization.
• Must be earning credit towards a degree at the University of Calgary (UCalgary), including accepted into and registered full-time in a degree program at time of application;
• 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);
• Have a minimum academic standing of 3.0 GPA (Grade Point Average) over the last ten (10) courses taken for undergraduate students (note: some research programs may have higher GPA requirements);
• Have not previously received funding from the Global Learning Award, International Study Travel Grant, International Studentship, Ugo Virtual Learning Grant, Undergraduate International Research Grant, Global Skills Opportunity Program including the Global Indigenous Skills or the Global Access Fund competitions. Recipients are not eligible for more than one award for an individual experience and preference will be given to applicants who are not receiving another award in the same term. 

A printable version of the above guidelines are available here. 

The committee will not consider applicants who:

• Are attending conferences;
• Are registered in a graduate program;
• Are not registered in a degree program at UCalgary;
• Are currently on or have completed their global research program;
• Submit a late application.
• Are receiving funding of $2000 or more from other sources, such as DAAD RISE, MITACS, or internal grants 

Students who have been invited to apply, please follow these steps:

1. 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.

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

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.