Rutgers Global Grants

The International Collaborative Research grants support international research, projects, and programs initiated by faculty with scholars around the world on any topic. The aim is to promote collaborative, inter-institutional research and scholarship with existing or new international partners. Proposals will be considered for all academic areas but must be a collaboration between Rutgers faculty and a partner from a foreign institution.

Successful proposals will 

1. Outline a collaborative research project that makes a significant contribution to advancing a particular field of study. Proposals should focus on topics that have international and/or global implications, understanding of which is advanced by the proposed collaboration with partners. 
2. Show strong potential to strengthen an existing partnership or develop a new long-term relationship demonstrating sustainability of the project beyond the funding cycle.
3. Demonstrate the likelihood of tangible outcomes such as publications, student participation in global research or development of a larger institutional collaboration. After the conclusion of the project, it is expected that the awardee will use the project results to apply for additional funding for research.

Funds will be available for a one- or two-year period, as requested in the proposal. Proposals will be considered for projects with collaborations in all countries. However, special priority will be given for those projects that include collaborators from South Korea, India and Ghana.

Note that this grant does not support short-term lecturing or attendance at international conferences or symposia. 

Number of awards: 10 awards.

• 5 awards are expected to be given for collaboration with partners in institutions in India, South Korea and Ghana. 
• 5 awards are expected to be given for collaborations with partners in other countries.

Maximum request per award: $10,000

Duration: up to 2 years

All tenured, tenure‐track, clinical, or NTT faculty with Rutgers appointments—and who do not have current Rutgers Global Seed Grants—are eligible to apply. (NTT faculty, including NTT clinical faculty, must provide a letter from their Dean stating support for the proposal. It is expected that the applicant holds a position which will be renewed for the duration of the grant period.) Priority will be given for applicants who have not received a Global Grant award in the past five years. A faculty member cannot receive more than two Global Grant awards in any category.

Apply using this form (link). A Rutgers NetID is required to access the form.

An example list of the questions in the online proposal submission portal can be found in this document (PDF).

All grant documents must be submitted through the Global Grants Portal by the Principal Investigator (a NetID is required). 

The online application process will have a place for you to upload the following required documents: 

1. A completed and fully signed coversheet (PDF). NTT and clinical faculty will need to provide an additional letter from their Department Chair or Dean stating their support for the proposal, and that it is expected that the applicant is in a position which will be renewed for the duration of the grant period. Please attach this letter to your coversheet before uploading. 
2. A project description (3 pages maximum) that includes the following sections:  
   • Statement of Need that acknowledge what is distinct or unique about your project and its potential findings or impact.
   • Specific Project Objectives 
   • Project Design including design/methodology, timeline, list of activities, plan for evaluation and success measures.  
   • Potential for Beneficial Partnership, i.e. strengthening and existing partnership or establishing a new one.
   • Sustainability Plans including the capacity for future scholarship and funding.  
3. Detailed budget. Use either the budget template provided by the Office of Research or the budget template preferred by your unit when submitting your proposed budget. Budget guidelines can be found on this document (PDF).
4. A detailed budget narrative. Use this template (PDF). 
5. A signed letter of support from the project director(s) at partnering institution(s) outlining the importance of the collaboration and intended impact on the partnering institution. 
6. A 2-page CV from the Principal Investigator at Rutgers and the project participants from each partner institution. 

Priority will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Have high research value;  
• Strengthen an institutional partnership between Rutgers and a current partner institution or offer the potential to develop a productive and sustainable relationship with a new institution;  
• Will use the funds as seed money to develop a project or initiative with potential to have a long-term impact on one or more university units and/or to lead to external funding. 

Short-term, faculty-led study abroad experiences can be transformational for students. These experiences can introduce students to new perspectives on grand challenges within a path of study, expose them to new cultures and histories, and help them develop global awareness to inform their academic journeys.

The Faculty-Led Study Abroad Grants provide multi-year funding to support the development, successful launch and long-term sustainability of new faculty-led study abroad courses. These grants are for the development and launch of short-term study abroad programs that are integrated into academic pathways and provide students with cultural immersion, experiential learning, and credit connected to their areas of study. 

This program is intended to create faculty-led study abroad opportunities that are offered on a regular basis. Faculty-led study abroad typically includes short-term (1-8+ weeks) travel during winter session, spring break, or summer session. Examples of proposals might include:

• Introducing students to international perspectives on major research questions through site visits and tours integrated with course work; 
• Field work or other hands-on experiences in international locations;
• Immersion in cultural and regional history in areas related to a field of study. 

Proposals must designate a faculty lead (or co-leads) and be endorsed by a department, multiple departments, or a school. Rutgers Global–Study Abroad will support grantees throughout the program development and implementation process to ensure successful program development and launch in accordance with university policies and standards. 

Initiative Overview

A proposal for a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Grant can include a single study-abroad program that runs each year, or a suite of experiences that alternate years.  The program(s) can be run by the same faculty member each year, or by a group of alternating faculty leads. 

Funding is intended to offset the start-up costs associated with establishing a new study abroad program, recognizing that initial implementation often requires investments that cannot reasonably be supported through participant fees alone. 

Each study-abroad program supported through this grant is expected to:

• Support enrollment for a minimum of 12 students.
• Incorporate cultural immersion and experiential learning that will lead to academic credit.
• Demonstrate strong curricular alignment and support timely student degree completion, with particular emphasis on fulfilling school or departmental requirements.
• Be designed and demonstrate departmental commitment that they will continue to be offered beyond the grant period.

Award Details

Eligibility: Any faculty member with the endorsement of their department or academic unit where they are appointed.

Maximum award: up to $30,000 distributed over three years.

Funding will be distributed at yearly intervals over the three years to support the successful launch of the program while reducing reliance on grant funding over time. 

Number of awards: 1-3

Note: Undergraduate students are not permitted to travel to a country or region designated a Level 4- Do Not Travel by the US Department of State. A country or region designated a Level 3 – Reconsider Travel, will require a petition for approval and complete pre-departure requirements prior to travel. If you are in doubt about your country choice, please consult with Rutgers Global Study Abroad before submitting your application.

Apply using this form (link). A Rutgers NetID is required to access the form.

An example list of the questions in the online proposal submission portal can be found on this document (PDF). 

Applications should include:

1. An endorsement form (PDF) signed by the school dean confirming support for the proposed program.
2. A description of the proposed study abroad program. The description should include the following elements (4 pages maximum):
   • A description of the study abroad sites, planned student activities and expected student outcomes along with evidence that the proposed program aligns with departmental and school priorities. The description should also include a 3-year implementation timeline. Although not required, please list any pre-existing partnerships with host institutions or organizations. 
   • Describe who your partners on-the-ground will be.
   • A description of program recruitment and promotion strategies, including plans for building enrollment over time. 
   • A Risk Management Plan that reflects appropriate program staffing and site resources. The following resources may be helpful: Responsible Education Abroad: Best Practices for Health, Safety and Security; A Student and Faculty Guide to Risk Management While Studying Abroad
   • A plan evaluating student success after participation in the program.
   • A clear Program Sustainability Plan. Applicants should describe how the program will become financially sustainable after the grant period while also ensuring that it remains a recurring departmental offering. Strategies might include identifying additional faculty who can lead the program in future years, mentoring new faculty leaders, or integrating the program into the department's long-term academic offerings. The Sustainability Plan should also address strategies for managing program costs over time.
3. A preliminary budget narrative that estimates funding needs for each of the three years. Use this template (PDF).
4. A 2-page CV for the faculty lead(s).

As part of this process, if awarded, proposed itineraries, activities, budgets, risk management plans, and academic components may require modification before final program approval.

Competitive proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Strong curricular relevance, particularly with major-specific requirements; demonstrated value to students and clearly defined learning outcomes. 
• Evidence of student interest. 
• Evidence of program feasibility, including thoughtful planning, implementation feasibility, and risk management. 
• A realistic strategy for long-term sustainability including financial viability. 

Priority will be given to proposals that demonstrate alignment with departmental goals and a clear departmental commitment to maintaining the program beyond the involvement of any individual faculty member.

Once awarded, recipients will work closely with Rutgers Global–Study Abroad throughout program development and implementation. All programs must be offered through Rutgers Global-Study Abroad.

Grant funds will be administered by Rutgers Global–Study Abroad through a dedicated program account established for the awarded program. Rutgers Global–Study Abroad will oversee the allocation and administration of grant funds throughout the grant period and will apply funds to approved program-related expenses, including program development activities, site visits, recruitment efforts, and program implementation costs. All expenditures must align with the approved proposal and comply with Rutgers University policies.

Recipients will be required to submit annual progress reports describing:

• Program development activities.
• Recruitment outcomes. 
• Budget performance.
• Progress towards sustainability goals.
• Assessment of student learning and program success.

Continuation of funding beyond the first year will be contingent upon satisfactory progress toward implementation milestones and sustainability objectives.

The Humanities Travel Grants pilot program is intended to support global engagement and international research specifically for Humanities faculty at Rutgers-New Brunswick, Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden.

• Up to $1,000 maximum per award. Approximately 5 grants will be awarded over the course of the yearly cycle (depending on the need for each award).
• Awards can be used, for example, for conducting research, presenting scholarly work, developing international research collaboration, archival/fieldwork and other international activities related to your research agenda. For conference presentations, a slide about Rutgers must be included. A template will be provided by Rutgers Global.
• Funds cannot be used to cover the full trip. Cost-share from other sources is required. 
• Funds can be used for airfare, lodging and ground transportation costs, and conference registration fees. For support to attend a conference, funding cannot be used for anything other than individual travel support.
• Travel must be to an international location and must occur within the award window specified below.
• Grant cycles – offered two times per year. Submission deadlines:
  • November 13, 2026 for travel between December 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027.
  • March 31, 2027 for travel between June 1, 2027 and November 30, 2027.

Faculty with full-time tenure-track or tenured appointments at Rutgers-New Brunswick, Rutgers-Newark and Rutgers-Camden in humanities departments will be considered. Primary faculty appointments must be in:

• New Brunswick: School of Arts and Sciences – New Brunswick (SAS) 
  • Division of Humanities
• Newark: School of Arts and Sciences – Newark (SASN)
  • English
  • History
  • Spanish and Portuguese
  • Africana Studies
  • Arts, Culture and Media
• Camden: School of Arts and Sciences – Camden (FASC)
  • English and Communication, 
  • History, 
  • Philosophy and Religion, 
  • Visual, Media and Performing Arts, 
  • World Languages and Cultures

Non-tenure track, part-time, adjunct or affiliated faculty are not eligible for this award. Faculty with joint appointments whose primary appointment is not in one of the schools listed above are not eligible. Undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral students are not eligible.

Apply using this form (link). A Rutgers NetID is required to access the form.

An example list of the questions in the online proposal submission portal can be found in this document (PDF). 

Travel grant applications must include:

1. A description of the need for travel and expected outcomes. (250 word limit)
2. For conference travel, a link to the official conference announcement and dates must be included, as well as the title of your presentation.
3. A full budget of the expected expenses including a justification of each budget item. The budget should indicate which expense(s) will be covered by cost-share funds. Please use this budget template (PDF).
4. A Rutgers Global Humanities Travel Grant coversheet (PDF) signed by the department chair and school dean approving of this request.

Following travel, faculty will be expected to produce a short summary report to be uploaded in the Global Grants Portal by the awardee.

Review - internal

• Grants will be reviewed by a committee that includes Humanities leadership and Rutgers Global staff. Initially for each cycle, committee will review all and rank. Top proposals will be discussed in committee meetings using the following rubric:
  • Clear outcomes.
  • Appropriate budget.
  • Well-defined need.
• Grant announcement will occur approximately 2 weeks following submission deadline.
• Once the award is made and accepted, funds will be transferred by JE to the faculty members research account, or another account specified by the department.