Undergraduate students are encouraged to consider study abroad opportunities as part of their experiential learning requirement. Working in conjunction with the University of Iowa Study Abroad Office, undergraduates should meet with their academic advisor as soon as possible to discuss adding study abroad to their 4-year graduation plan. Eligible global experiences could include international coursework, internships, or other experiential learning opportunities.

The purpose of this travel grant is to provide new global opportunities for CPH students – specifically opportunities outside the student’s home country and/or culture. Other non-U.S. travel opportunities that do not meet this criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students may apply for up to $3,000 per global experience.

Students may appeal for additional funding beyond these limits with the demonstration of financial needs or hardship. Students may apply for this award multiple times but will be limited to a total award amount of $10,000.00 for the duration of their enrollment at the College of Public Health.

For a full summary of grant eligibility and application considerations, download our Undergraduate Student Travel Grant Guidelines.

Graduate students interested in working and studying overseas may apply for a travel grant to fund a variety of international learning opportunities. MPH, MS, and PhD students are all strongly encouraged to apply. Research and practicum experiences are both eligible for funding, as well as international internships and select coursework.  Students must have completed a minimum of 2 semesters of coursework toward their current degree to be eligible, but should begin the travel planning process as soon as possible. Students who need assistance in finding international opportunities should meet with their faculty advisor or the global health coordinator for guidance.

The purpose of this travel grant is to provide new global opportunities for CPH students – specifically opportunities outside the student’s home country and/or culture. Other non-U.S. travel opportunities that do not meet this criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Students may apply for grants in the following amounts:

• 1-2 weeks abroad = $2500
• 3-4 weeks abroad= $4000
• 5+ weeks abroad = $5000

Students may appeal for additional funding beyond these limits with the demonstration of financial needs or hardship.

Students may apply for this award multiple times but will be limited to a total award amount of $10,000.00 for the duration of their enrollment at the College of Public Health.

For a full summary of grant eligibility and application considerations, download our Graduate Student Travel Grant Guidelines.

Applications are accepted and reviewed monthly via the global public health online submission form. Applications must be received no later than 3 months before the intended departure date to be considered.

A complete application should include:

1. Cover page (s) including the title of the proposed activity, dates of the proposed activity, applicant’s name and contact information, and a 250 word summary of intended travel purpose or research abstract. (1 page)
2. Please provide answers to the following questions (2 pages maximum):

• What will your proposed activities be while you are overseas? If you continue your activities once you return to the US, please also include that information.
• Why did you choose this international site or program and how does it relate to your current public health educational goals?
• What is the name of the faculty or staff advisor at the University of Iowa who is advising you about this activity? In what ways are they helping you?
• How has your coursework so far prepared you for a global public health experience?
• Please describe any previous research, work, or volunteer experience you have had that you think will contribute to the success of this project, including previous international experience.
• How do you think that this experience will contribute to your future academic and career goals?
• How do you feel this experience will contribute to the goals of globalizing the College of Public Health? For example, can this activity lead to the establishment of any long-term collaborations that may benefit other students or faculty in CPH?

1. Provide an itemized budget with written description of the justification for each item requested (1-2 pages). A budget template can be found here.
2. Provide an anticipated itinerary of your trip, including details regarding location, accommodations, and activities.
3. Include a recommendation form from a faculty or academic advisor.
   • NOTE: If you have been enrolled in the College of Public Health for less than 2 semesters and/or your recommendation form is not completed by faculty/staff in CPH, please also provide the name of a CPH faculty/staff contact who can act as an additional informal reference for you. This can be a faculty member from a class you’ve taken, an admissions counselor, an advisor, etc.
4. Letter of support from the in-country host or program, which states that the host or program is expecting you to come and agrees to assist you with making arrangements “on the ground” as necessary. If going abroad with an international organization, please include an acceptance letter from your program provider.

For students conducting research abroad, please also include the following items:

1. Describe the project aims and the research methodology, including plan for IRB approval (you may attach as a separate document, 2 pages maximum).
2. Please provide a timeline showing progress of activity, to be completed in one year or less.

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All proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by the CPH Global Health Committee. Criteria for review include:

1. Program or research goals are related to public health and contribute to the student’s educational goals.
2. Experience will provide students with learning opportunities they would not be able to gain at UI CPH.
3. Chosen program or location is in good academic standing and can provide the student with basic necessities during the time abroad.

For students conducting research, the committee will also look for the following criteria:

1. Proposed project and budget are feasible during the amount of time specified.
2. Sufficient evidence of enough existing contact with proposed international collaborators to support successful visit.
3. Impact of proposed project on applicant’s future career goals.

All publications, articles, or other publicized media that result from or refer to this experience should include the following language: “This global [experience/practicum/research] was funded by the University of Iowa College of Public Health Global Student Travel Grant, supported by Dale and Linda Baker.”

All grant recipients must prepare a final reflection of their time abroad using the guidelines below. The final reflection is due no later than 30 days following their return to the U.S. All submissions should be sent to the Global Public Health Initiative at cph-global@uiowa.edu.

For students going abroad in a non-research capacity (internship, class, etc):

1. Prepare a 1-page cover page that includes the following items.

• One paragraph summary of where you went and what you accomplished or participated in while you were abroad.
• Answer the following question: Why did you choose to go abroad in a public health capacity?
• Answer the following question: How did your time abroad shape the way you approach the field of public health?
• Answer the following question: How has your time abroad influenced your future goals, interests, and ambitions in the field of public health?
• Answer the following question: Based on what you learned during your time abroad, why should other CPH student consider an international experience?

2. Create a media journal (photos and text or video story) reflecting on or more of the following questions. This journal is meant to be both personally and professionally reflective and should demonstrate your thoughts on the benefits and experiences of your time abroad. Student are encouraged to be creative in how they choose to capture their reflection.

• What are the cultural differences you encountered in public and environmental health practice and how did you adapt?
• In what ways did you experience culture shock and how did you react?
• What personal interactions did you have with different health systems and how would these interactions impact your assessment of health systems in your home country or other global systems?
• Demonstrate how communication is different in international settings and how you adapted your professional/academic communication style to work with international peers.
• What are the social, political, and environmental determinants that impact health in the country you visited and how does it differ from your home country?
• How did your problem-solving skills evolve during your time abroad and what cultural aspects impacted that evolution?
• Did you experience an ethically-confusing situation? If so, how did you respond and how would you improve international collaboration to be more ethically beneficial for all countries and cultures involved?
• How do you plan to incorporate your global learning experience in your future career plans?
• How has globalization impacted determinants of health?
• Compare and contrast public health problems and responses in different countries.

3. Complete the global reflection assessment questionnaire. Download here.

For students going abroad in an independent research capacity:

1. Prepare a 2-3 page document that includes the following items.

• A summary of where you went and what you accomplished while you were abroad.
• A summary of the details and results of your research and how an international research experience has impacted your future research plans.
• Answer the following question: How did your time abroad shape the way you approach the field of public health (both academically and professionally)?

2. Provide a minimum of 10 photos and/or videos illustrating the nature of your global experience.

3. Complete the global reflection assessment questionnaire. Download here.

Both students and faculty are encouraged to identify funding courses outside of the College of Public Health to help supplement their academic efforts abroad. The following sources are a great place to start, but shouldn’t be the end of your search. Happy travels!

University of Iowa Awards and Funding

• Stanley Awards for International Research
• UI Center for Asian and Pacific Studies
• T. Anne Cleary Dissertation Research Fellowship
• Undergraduate Study Abroad and Global Internship Scholarships
• Undergraduate Hawkeye Experience Grant
• Graduate & Professional Student Government Travel, Research, and Service Awards

External Awards and Funding

• Fulbright Scholarship
• Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship (international students only)
• Boren Awards and Fellowships
• University of Iowa Office of Study Abroad
• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) American Fellowship
• American Association of University Women (AAUW) International Fellowship (international students only)
• International Peace Scholarship (international students only)