UC International Grants

Both the International Incentive Grant and Visiting Scholar Grant programs support collaboration with designated strategic and developing partners:

• Chiba University - Tokyo, Japan 
• Christ University - Bangalore, India 
• Feng Chia University (FCU) - Taichung City, Taiwan 
• Future University in Egypt (FUE) - Cairo, Egypt 
• 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 
• Universidad del Desarrollo (UDD) - Santiago, Chile
• 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 of Johannesburg (UJ) - Johannesburg, South Africa 
• University of Trento - Trento, Italy 

For both the International Incentive Grant and Visiting Scholar Grant programs,

• The grant cycle for 2027 opens for applications on September 1, 2026. 
• Applications are due by 5:00pm EDT on Friday, October 16, 2026. 
• Awards are anticipated to be announced by the first week of December. 

Funding amount: 

There is no fixed amount for individual awards. In recent years, awards have ranged between $2,500 and $4,500, with costs and length of stay appropriately justified.

Duration of stay: 

No formal limitation, but length must be justified and approved by the applicant’s department.

Expectations:

• Collaborations must be sustainable: there is a plan for the project/collaboration to continue after the funding cycle is completed. This may require the PIs to identify and secure other funding sources. 
• Co-investment by the applicant’s home department or college is expected (not necessarily an equal match; in-kind contributions are acceptable). 
• Grants are non-renewable, non-transferable, and intended to offset international travel costs for UC faculty and staff. 

Travel requirements:

• Travel must be completed during the 2027 calendar year. 
• Recipients must follow all university travel procedures and submit expense reports accordingly. 

Proposals will be accepted from: 

• All levels and ranks of full-time faculty 
• Staff who have direct contact with students, contribute to research, or whose positions directly support students’ educational process 

Not eligible to apply:

• PhD students
• Adjunct instructors
• Any other part-time instructional or research staff 

Projects not eligible for funding:

• Projects that have received this award in the past
• Trips already taken or currently underway 
• Attending or presenting at an international conference 
• Developing a new student exchange program 
• Developing a new faculty-led study abroad program 
• Shadowing an existing faculty-led study abroad program 

Applications must be submitted by the current cycle deadline of 5:00pm EDT on Friday, October 16, 2026. 

The application packet must include 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 listed here.
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.

Evaluative criteria:

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 2027 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 must submit a report detailing: 

• Accomplishments during the trip 
• Expected collaborative activity resulting from the visit 
• Timeline for implementation 
• Benefits to the grantee and UC’s strategic partnerships 

Failure to submit a report in a timely manner will make the applicant ineligible for future UC International grants. 

The Visiting Scholar Grant supports faculty from UC’s strategic and developing partner institutions in developing sustainable academic collaborations with UC units and colleagues.

The program aims to: 

• Build long-term research collaborations 
• Encourage joint teaching initiatives 
• Strengthen institutional partnerships 

Visits should produce clear outcomes such as research projects, course development, articulation agreements, or other sustainable academic collaboration. 

Funding coverage includes:

• Economy roundtrip airfare to Cincinnati  
• Accommodation near UC’s campus for 7–10 consecutive days 

Proposals will be accepted from: 

• All levels and ranks of Full-Time faculty from one of UC’s strategic and developing partner institutions 
• Staff who have direct contact with students, contribute to research, or whose positions directly support students’ educational process 

Not eligible: 

• PhD students 
• Adjunct instructors 
• Any other part-time instructional or research staff

Projects not eligible for funding:

• Projects that have received this award in the past
• Trips already taken or currently underway 
• Attending or presenting at an international conference 
• Developing a new student exchange program 
• Developing a new faculty-led study abroad program 
• Shadowing an existing faculty-led study abroad program 

• Travel must be completed during the 2027 calendar year. 

• Recipients must follow all university travel procedures and work with departmental hosts to develop the visit agenda. 

Before the visit:

• Agree to a collaborative project that aligns with the interests of the UC and applicant’s univerisity’s unit/department/lab  (UC departmental host and Visiting Scholar applicant)
• 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 Visiting 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)
• Prepare/request UC credentials, keys or access for the visitor, if needed. (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 the Visiting Scholar with airport pickup/transportation to lodging if needed. (UC departmental host)
• Help the Visiting Scholar with orientation to campus if needed. (UC departmental host)
• Act as primary contact for the 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 the Visiting Scholar for any additional meals with unit, department, or individuals if arranged. (UC departmental host)
• Host one lunch or coffee meeting for the Visiting Scholar and the departmental host. (UC International)

After the visit:

• Continue collaboration on identified next steps for further engagement as it involves your unit, department, or individual research. (UC departmental host)
• Follow up with the Visiting Scholar about their final report. (UC International)
• Submit final report (Visiting Scholar)

Applicants must identify a UC department and faculty host who agrees to support the proposed project and host the visit.  

Applications must be submitted by the current cycle deadline of 5:00pm EDT on Friday, October 16, 2026. 

Grant applications must include: 

1. A project proposal that includes: 
   1. the objectives of your visit 
   2. whether this visit is part of an existing collaboration, including its history
   3. the proposed outcomes and activities
   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 the applicant's supervisor  
4. Letter of support from the UC host

Successful applicants agree to submit a summary report to both UC's International Office and their home institution’s international office. The report must include: 

• Details of the visit 
• Activities carried out 
• Contacts made 
• Next steps for further engagement 

Reports are due within one month after completion of the visit.