Global Grants

International Affairs Students - are you thinking of studying abroad in the coming year? 

The International Affairs Program awards Global Grants Scholarships for up to $3,000 per semester towards a CU-Boulder Education Abroad program during the Fall, Spring, Summer or Academic Year. This means that students studying abroad for the Academic Year could receive up to $6,000

Click "How Do I Apply" below for more information.

Global Grants awardees have already studied abroad all over the world - join them!

Read Global Grants Stories     Previous Global Grants Recipients     Learn about Global Grants Fund

  • Go to the Education Abroad website and apply for the . Click “Apply Now” to begin the process.
  • When prompted, you must note that you are an IAFS major/minor. The application will include additional questions for IAFS students and the answers will be reviewed by the IAFS Advisory Board to determine awardees.  Application deadlines follow the Buffs Abroad scholarship deadlines (early October/early March). 
  • Please note that Global Grants awards are not eligible for the Buffs Abroad Scholarship "Early Bird" decisions.  Global Grants recipients will be notified by IAFS or Education Abroad approximately one month after the final scholarship deadline.
  • For Education Abroad help, visit and click “Getting Started” for information on CU Education Abroad 101 and Education Abroad advising.
  • Global Grants are awarded based on merit and need. A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required and completion of the is highly encouraged.
  • Applicants must be IAFS Majors or Minors, however, preference will be given to IAFS Majors, who will receive additional consideration in the application evaluation process.
  • Resident and non-resident students may apply.
  • There is a service requirement attached to the Global Grants, accepted by Global Grants recipients upon their agreement to receive the award. The Program requires all recipients email IAFS@colorado.edu with updates and photos while they are abroad. Additionally, students may be asked to present on their experiences to the IAFS Advisory Board (entity which does the fundraising for the Global Grants) or other opportunities to share about the Global Grants program.
  • Global Grants scholarships are awarded to eligible students travelling anywhere in the world for Academic Year, Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. Please review on the Education Abroad website. 

Here are a few sample questions that the scholarship application may include:

  • Information about your academic goals - Describe what types of classes do you plan to take abroad and what degree requirements these courses fulfill. Next, describe how your learning and experiences will extend beyond the classroom when you are abroad?

  • Information about your overall goals - Please provide more detail about what do you hope to learn and gain from the program, and how this experience will fit into your future and/or career goals? Please expand upon any information that you included in the Buffs Abroad question about your program choice.

  • Information about you - Comment on any of the following and how will these relate to your study abroad experience: your extracurricular activities, major achievements, travel history, away-from-home living experience, your family or your home community.

  • Financing Your CU Education - Describe how you normally finance your tuition and expenses at CU.

  • Education Abroad Financial Plan - Describe if/how finances affected your program choice, how you have planned and budgeted for your program, and how you will pay for the program if you have unmet need.