Funding Opportunities
Office of Global Programs
Boston University’s Global Programs office maintains a list of internal and external sources to consider as you seek funding for your global engagement, from small to large, and for both new and seasoned faculty.
Fulbright Scholar Program
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the US government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Approximately 310,000 “Fulbrighters” have participated in the program since its inception in 1946. Currently, the Fulbright Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.
Around 1,200 US scholars receive awards each year. A series of Fulbright webinars provides helpful information and answers questions about awards, the application process, programs offered, and more. In February, the Fulbright Program launches its catalog of awards for the following academic year. The application deadline is typically August 1.
Visit the Global Programs website for more information about available fellowships.
DAAD Fellowships for German Exchange
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is a publicly funded, independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany. Each year, DAAD, its regional branch offices, its information centers, and DAAD professors around the globe provide information and financial support to over 67,000 highly qualified students and faculty for international research and study. Located in New York, San Francisco, and Toronto, DAAD North America advises students, faculty, and current DAAD fellows in the US and Canada.
Funding opportunities through DAAD are many, including science tours, research visit grants, visiting professorships, conference funding, group study visits, and summer seminars in German studies. Deadlines vary. Please refer to the DAAD website for more information.
BU Faculty Exchanges
BU has many other collaboration agreements with foreign institutions that provide for the possibility of faculty exchange. Among these are standing arrangements with a select number of foreign universities for funded short-term exchange of faculty (generally four weeks or less). These agreements have grown out of existing relationships, such as undergraduate student exchange or research collaborations.
The opportunities below are open to any BU faculty from all schools and colleges. In general, they do not require the knowledge of the local language. They normally provide funding for travel, modest accommodations, and a per diem during your stay abroad. Slots are limited as per our partnership agreements.
All full-time BU faculty members are eligible to apply. Please see the specific details for each program.
Università degli Studi di Napoli L’Orientale (UNO), Naples, Italy
Faculty in African studies, archaeology, classical studies, languages, linguistics, and others with an interest in the scholarly collections and research opportunities at the UNO are encouraged to apply for the UNO exchange. One BU faculty member participates in a 1:1 exchange with UNO faculty per year. [More information]
Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
The Boston University-Università degli Studi di Padova faculty exchange program is part of a 25-year-old collaboration between the two universities. Up to three BU faculty per year in a 1:1 exchange with Italian faculty. [More information]
Université de Paris VIII (Vincennes-Saint-Denis), Paris, France
The Boston University-Université de Paris VIII (Vincennes-Saint-Denis) exchange program is well-suited for humanities and social sciences faculty, notably in art history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, French and comparative literature, gender studies, linguistics, and political science.
Exchanges may consist of invitations to lecture, conduct seminars and colloquia, or to participate in other academic activities of Paris VIII. [More information]
BU, Federal, and Other Funding
Many of BU’s schools and colleges offer faculty development opportunities, including seed funding, which can be applied to global education, research, and partnership development. Global Programs maintains an active list of grants available from the Center for Excellence & Innovation in Teaching, the Center for Finance, Law & Policy, etc., as well as federal and other external opportunities for funding faculty research and teaching initiatives. [More information]
Proposal Support
Faculty members who are interested are also welcome to contact Global Programs to discuss ideas and plans, and to get assistance in navigating the fellowship and grant application process. Global Programs staff are available to provide general advice and offer comments on draft proposals. Faculty are also strongly urged to seek assistance from colleagues in their field, lay readers, and BU faculty who have successfully competed for similar awards.
Resources
Finally, BU’s Global Programs office maintains a list of resources that help support your global ideas, from inspiration through implementation. Whether you are interested in learning more about BU’s global academic initiatives, events, and news, planning a research trip abroad, or thinking about running an overseas project, you will find tools to assist you at every step on their website.
