UC International Grants

UC International awards funds in support of international education, global research and collaborative initiatives with the University of Cincinnati's key partners around the world.

These grants help fund faculty and staff travel to and from our strategic and developing partner institutions. The goal is to support programs, joint teaching, research collaborations, institution-wide agreements and other partnership activities.

UC International also awards student scholarships for international study and grants for faculty to develop study abroad programs.


International incentive grants

The purpose of these grants is to provide support for the development of new collaborations with a counterpart at one of our strategic partner institutions. Together the UC faculty or staff member and their partner counterpart would collaborate on sustainable projects in areas such as: joint research and scholarship, projects engaging students, collaborative courses, annual events, etc.

These grants are offered in support of the Next Lives Here Urban Impact pathway focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, society & culture, and innovation agenda. 

Application Submission

To apply, please submit the application form by 5:00pm on Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Applications will be reviewed by a committee who will make the final selection. Awards are anticipated to be announced by the first week of December.

  • Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) - Beijing, China
  • Chiba University - Tokyo, Japan
  • Chongqing University (CQU) - Chongqing, China
  • Christ University - Bangalore, India 
  • Feng Chia University (FCU) - Taichung City, Taiwan
  • Future University in Egypt (FUE) - Cairo, Egypt
  • Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (TEC) - Querétaro, Mexico campus ONLY
  • Ming Chi University of Technology - Taipei, Taiwan
  • National Chung Hsing University (NCHU) - Taichung City, Taiwan
  • National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) - Taipei, Taiwan
  • Nirma University - Ahmedabad, India
  • Oranim College - Israel
  • Pontificia Universidad Javeriana (PUJ) - Bogotá, Colombia
  • Technion Israel Institute of Technology - Israel
  • University of Bordeaux (UBx) / University of Bordeaux Montaigne (UBM) - Bordeaux, France
  • University Alliance Ruhr (University of Duisberg-Essen/Ruhr University Bochum/TU Dortmund) - Germany
  • University of Cape Coast (UCC) - Cape Coast, Ghana 
  • University of Haifa - Haifa, Israel
  • University International Casablanca (UIC) - Casablanca, Morocco 
  • University of Johannesburg (UJ) - Johannesburg, South Africa
  • University of Lorraine - Nancy, France
  • University of Trento - Trento, Italy
  • University of Quebec at Montreal (UQAM) - Montreal, Canada
  • University of Zagreb (UNIZG) - Zagreb, Croatia

Proposals will be accepted from all levels/ranks of faculty as well as from staff who have direct contact with students, contribute to research, or whose positions directly support students’ on-going educational process. Proposals that further the Next Lives Here foci of sustainability, digital transformation, society & culture, community health and innovation will be particularly welcomed.

Expectations

Applications for collaboration with partners or disciplines where our activities are in their infancy are preferred. Collaborations should be sustainable. Co-investment from the applicant’s home department or college (this need not be an equal match, but some amount or “in-kind” contribution demonstrating the department/college’s commitment to internationalizing its curriculum or activities) is expected.

These grants are non-renewable and final award amounts will be determined by the selection committee. Awards are meant to help offset costs associated with international travel of UC faculty and staff for project development.

The following requests will NOT be considered:

  • funding of trips already taken or currently underway
  • funding for the sole purpose of attending or presenting a paper at an international conference
  • funding to develop a new student exchange program
  • funding to develop a new faculty-led study abroad program (please apply for a Development Grant in this case)
  • funding to shadow an existing faculty-led study abroad program

Application packet must include:

  1. A completed application form, with the following materials uploaded in a single pdf file: 
    1. A two-page (maximum), single-spaced proposal addressing each of the evaluative criteria (see below) 
    2. A one-page itemized budget and explanation of each budget item; 
    3. Copy of a short CV (two pages maximum); 
    4. Letter of support (can be submitted via email) from applicant’s supervisor or Unit Head that indicates how the proposed collaboration will contribute positively to the Department or Unit, and addressing cost-sharing commitment; 
    5. A letter of support from their partner university host  

Criteria to be considered:

  1. Applicant’s Qualification – It is required that the proposal clearly and effectively demonstrates the applicant’s qualifications to develop the proposed project. 
  2. Impact of Proposal – What will be the outcome/deliverable of the trip? Is this a proposal which will provide immediate and long term benefits to UC? Will it serve to strengthen and advance UC’s partnerships? Will it increase international opportunities for UC faculty/Staff/Students? Is there a strong probability of project implementation and sustainability if this proposal is funded? Is there evidence of positive departmental support for the proposed program?
  3. Quality of Proposal – Does the proposal articulate a well-thought-out plan for developing and/or strengthening the collaborative project? Does the proposal contain creative ideas with a credible, appropriate, and attainable approach? Is the budget cost effective? 
  4. Cost-Sharing – Is there a demonstrated commitment for cost sharing in the proposal? 
  • Travel is expected to be completed during the 2024 calendar year.
  • Funding will be transferred to the recipient’s Department. All travel requests will be completed by the grant recipient following university procedures/requirements. It is the grant recipient’s responsibility to ensure that all relevant information is obtained and that the travel request is finalized and submitted for approval.
  • All travel expense reports will be developed and submitted by the grant recipient, following university procedures/requirements.

Within 30 days of completing the funded activity, grantees will be required to submit a narrative report of the trip to UC International. The report should detail what was accomplished during the trip and provide an explanation of the collaborative activity that is expected to result because of the trip. This should include timelines for implementation and benefits to the grantee and UC’s strategic partnerships. The report need not be lengthy but must address each of those areas. Reports not submitted in a timely manner will render the grant recipient ineligible for future grants from UC International. 


Visiting scholar grants

The University of Cincinnati (UC) is offering Visiting Scholar Grants for the 2024 calendar year. 

The UC International Visiting Scholar Grant enables faculty from our strategic partner institutions to form relationships with UC colleagues, discover UC’s campus, and develop joint research projects in their discipline. The purpose of the Visiting Scholar Program is to launch new sustainable projects and strengthen existing partnerships between our institutions. UC International encourages applications for: 

  • collaborative joint research that includes undergraduate and/or graduate research opportunities emerging from the faculty visit 
  • developing joint classes 
  • establishing articulation agreements

Proposals that further the University of Cincinnati Next Lives Here strategic direction foci will be particularly welcomed. These areas of focus include:

  • sustainability
  • digital transformation
  • society & culture
  • community health
  • innovation

Visiting Scholar grants are short-term (7-10 days), hosted on UC's campus, and completed during the 2024 calendar year. UC International will pay for the scholar’s economy, round-trip airfare to Cincinnati and accommodation near campus for the 7-10 days. Please see below for the application process, more details, and who is eligible to apply. 

Visiting Scholar applicants should identify a relevant UC department and faculty member who has mutual interest in the proposed project, and has agreed to host the visiting scholar. The role of the UC faculty host is to be the primary contact for the scholar and to collaboratively develop the visit agenda to fulfill the outcomes of the proposal. Depending on the UC faculty/department, the UC host may provide airport transportation and/or some meals. Please discuss this directly with the UC host. 
 
Grant applications must include: 

  1. A project proposal that includes: 
    1. the objectives of your visit 
    2. if this proposal is part of an existing collaboration and if so, detail the history of the collaboration
    3. the proposed outcomes and activities for the visit
    4. the expected long-term impact upon the partnership between UC and your home institution both at the faculty and institutional level
  2. Abbreviated CV  
  3. Letter of support from your supervisor at your university  
  4. Letter of support from UC host

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Successful applicants agree to submit a summary report to the both UC's International Office and the international office at his/her institution giving detailed information about his/her visit, activities carried out, contacts made, as well as next steps for further engagement. The report should be submitted within one month after the completion of the visit.

If you have agreed to be a UC Departmental Host for a Visiting Scholar from one of UC's International Strategic Partners, thank you for working to encourage international collaboration at UC! Please read the UC Departmental Host expectations before, during, and after the Visiting Scholar's visit to UC so you are able to commit to the responsibilities.

Before the visit

  • Agree to a mutual project of collaboration between your unit, department, or individual research and the Visiting Scholar applicant. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Write a letter of support to be the host for the Visiting Scholar for their Visiting Scholar Grant application. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Communicate with the scholar and your unit, department, or outside departmental offices to develop a visit agenda for the Visiting Scholar to fulfill the outcomes of the project proposal, facilitate a meaningful visit to UC, and provide opportunity for connection for further collaboration. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Provide invitation letter for visa or ESTA application. (UC International)
  • Book and pay for round trip airfare to Cincinnati. (UC International)
  • Reserve and pay for lodging for 7-10 nights at Clifton House or alternate location (UC International)

During the visit

  • Help Visiting Scholar with airport pickup/transportation to lodging if needed. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Help Visiting Scholar with orientation to campus if needed. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Act as primary contact for Visiting Scholar's UC agenda throughout the visit. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Discuss mutual proposed project, included activities, and outcomes that will occur after visit. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Host scholar for any additional meals with unit, department, or individuals if arranged. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Host one lunch or coffee meeting for Visiting Scholar and Departmental Host. (UC International)

After the visit

  • Continue collaboration from identified outcome areas and next steps for further engagement as it involves your unit, department, or individual research. (UC Departmental Host)
  • Follow up with Visiting Scholar about final report. (UC International)

Please contact the UC International Planning office for further information on these faculty/staff grants.

Headshot of Rebecca Meurer

Rebecca Meurer

Assistant Director of International Strategic Partnerships, International Planning

513-556-3956