IIE Generation Study Abroad to Give Away $50,000 in Grants to Educators

At ACIS, we’re dedicated to empowering educators to change their students’ lives through travel. That’s why we’re so excited to share this exciting opportunity from The Institute of International Education.

The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) Generation Study Abroad initiative is dedicated to doubling the number of U.S. college students studying abroad over the next five years. K-12 teachers are encouraged to pledge their support for this bold vision by bringing the topic of studying abroad into their classrooms.

To further their mission, the IIE has launched the IIE AIFS Foundation Generation Study Abroad Enrichment Grants program, a professional development program to support U.S. secondary level (grades 6-12) teachers who have proven to be outstanding advocates for study abroad by taking the Generation Study Abroad pledge and then proactively preparing their students for global citizenship and study abroad. Teachers are powerful motivators when it comes to encouraging students to pursue any and all types of global study be it through a classroom project in second grade or on a study abroad program in college. This program seeks to empower educators to open their students’ eyes to the life-changing impact of traveling abroad.

Fifty enrichment grants of $1,000 each are available to teachers to conduct any learning activity in the U.S. or abroad that enhances their or their students’ international outlook and global experience. The goal of the program is to help raise global awareness in the classroom and prepare students for global citizenship and study abroad. Teachers who receive an enrichment grant can conduct any learning activity in the US or abroad that enhances their international outlook and global experience. Through their experiences, they will be able to further internationalize their classroom and advance their role as global educators to positively impact student learning.

Up to $25,000 of these grant funds have been specifically set aside for ACIS Group Leaders. Apply for enrichment funds that can be used on a future ACIS tour or for any classroom activity of your choosing. Be sure to indicate that you are an ACIS Group Leader on the grant application form, which is due by December 1, 2015.

Apply for a grant on the IIE website!

About the Generation Study Abroad Teacher Campaign

The Generation Study Abroad Teacher Campaign recognizes the key role that teachers play in bringing the world into their classrooms and inspiring their students. Teachers inspire curiosity about the world, teach all subjects through a global lens, take students on exchange programs, and encourage students to continue their language learning in college. That is why the Institute is setting a target to identify at least 1,000 teachers who pledge to make their students aware of study abroad. Building a pipeline for study abroad will be necessary to achieve our goal of doubling study abroad by the end of the decade. We aspire to making “international” part of every student’s experience.

About the AIFS Foundation

AIFS Foundation, a Generation Study Abroad commitment partner, was established in 1967 with the assistance of the late Senator Robert Kennedy to help young people from many nations and diverse cultures to understand each other better. The AIFS Foundation provides grants and scholarships to students for participation in study abroad programs and provides grants to high schools and institutions to encourage international and educational travel. The AIFS Foundation also sponsors the Academic Year in America program, which enables more than 1,000 international teenage students to spend a semester or academic year with an American host family while attending the local high school.