Funding Opportunities

There are two types of funding available to faculty in the McGlothlin International Education fund:

• Global/Travel Funding: These funds are available to Radford University full-time faculty systemwide interested in conducting teaching, research, or other scholarly initiatives of a global nature. Award amounts vary but typically range between $250-1,500 per faculty. Strong preference will be given to initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to international research and other scholarly activities, the internationalization of the curriculum, or the engagement in cross-collaboration with other departments (academic and non-academic). Participants will be required to submit a final report with the results at the conclusion of their initiatives.
• Programming Funding: These funds are available to Radford University department, programs, recognized student groups as well as individual students, faculty and staff interested in pursuing initiatives (abroad or at home) that foster a mission of campus internationalization, collaboration, diversity and/or inclusion. Award amounts vary and will not exceed $2,500 per initiative. Strong preference will be given to initiatives that clearly demonstrate the following in their application:
  • Impact: What is the expected impact of this initiative to our University community? How will it be measured?
  • Diversity and Inclusion: How will this initiative contribute to fostering an environment of internationalization, diversity and inclusion?
  • Collaboration: Cross-collaboration with other departments (academic and non-academic).
    Participants will be required to submit a final report with the results at the conclusion of their initiatives.

• Awards cannot be used to pay for deposits.
• Funding available may change from year to year.
• Funding is not guaranteed.
  
• All funding awards are exclusive to the individual applicant, for the term(s) stated, and not transferable.
  
• Applicants will be required to provide any and all types of other funding (both internal and external) being applied for, or expected to be received, as part of the application process.
  
• Projects considered incomplete and/or not showing a lack of progress, or projects that impact negatively any aspect of University, may be subject to funding withdrawal.
• Any materials submitted as part of the funding application and process, including the final report, may be used by Radford University for promotional purposes.
• Failure to adhere to the funding requirement may result in disqualification from immediate or future funding.

• Impact: What is the expected impact of this initiative to our University community? How will it be measured?
• Diversity and Inclusion: How will this initiative contribute to fostering an environment of internationalization, diversity and inclusion?
• Collaboration: Cross-collaboration with other departments (academic and non-academic).
  
  

• Summer: March 1
• Fall Semester: April 1
• Spring Semester: November 1

Overview

The Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Asian Scholars Program, managed by the McGlothlin Center for Global Education and Engagement, is designed to provide Radford University students who have limited knowledge of Asia with an opportunity to experience the Asian culture and language firsthand. The program is not focused on teaching students how to become experts in the Asian region; rather, it is centered towards providing a general glimpse of Asian society in the current global context.

Students will be accompanied by one Radford University faculty member and a chaperone (which could be a faculty or staff member) throughout their journey abroad. The program location and timing, ranging from 2-4 weeks, may vary from year-to-year in order to take advantage of Asian market trends, and may include visits to cultural sites, businesses, government offices, and others.

Awards

The program is capped to 10 participants per year although final enrollment numbers may fluctuate based on funding available. The program will cover all tuitions fees (one credit hour max) as well as 75% of the cost of the program fees (non-tuition fees) with the students being responsible for the remaining cost. Health insurance while abroad is provided to all participants at no cost. Awards cannot be used to pay for deposits.

Orientation

Faculty are required to provide a pre-departure orientation as well as a 1-day re-entry orientation at the Radford University campus.

Faculty and Staff Eligibility

All Radford University full-time faculty and staff, regardless of academic or administrative area, are encouraged to apply. The selection committee will give preference to individuals demonstrating two or more of the following criteria:  

• Have prior experience working, living or teaching in Asia; or
• Currently teach Asian-related subjects as part of their curriculum; or
• Propose interdisciplinary courses; or
• Have extensive knowledge of the Asian region through other means; or
  
• Engage other departments (academic and non-academic) in their proposal; or
  
• Experience leading a faculty-led program; or
  
• Commitment to infuse experiences from the Kirk Asian Scholar Program into their curriculum or other appropriate work at Radford University

If you have other experiences not listed above that you think should be considered for eligibility purposes, please contact us to discuss further.

For the purposes of this program, the following countries are considered Asian countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam.

Course

Faculty will be required to teach a 1-credit hour course during their experience abroad. Faculty will develop a course with broad-appeal for this program as a means to reach a wider number of students across a variety of disciplines, and thus, increase accessibility and diversity.

Compensation

Faculty teaching the 1-credit-hour course will be compensated in accordance with institutional salary policies.  Please note that teaching additional credits are possible but the scholarship will only cover the cost on 1-credit hour.

Chaperone

One additional chaperone (staff or non-teaching faculty) may join the group during this experience in order to assist with the program. The chaperone will be compensated with a one-time stipend of up to $500. In addition, the program will also pay for all travel expenses, such as flights, hotels, meals and others. Personal expenses will not be covered.

Please note that, if a second faculty is selected to be the chaperone, he/she is not entitled to receive their faculty salary for this program.

Selection

The International Scholarship Committee will review the applications of faculty and staff interested in leading the program.  A faculty member must always accompany the group as the faculty of record. Selected faculty will be notified via email and instructed on the next steps of the process.

Deadline

All applications must be submitted by February 1. Late applications will be reviewed and accepted depending on funding availability.

Contact Information

All questions should be directed to Sara Coulson, Education Abroad Coordinator, at scoulson4@radford.edu.

Study Abroad Association: The Study Abroad Association Faculty Grant Program provides research and development funding for college faculty interested in creating and incorporating study abroad programs into their teaching.

List of Faculty Funding for Research and Teaching Abroad by the University of Washington at Tacoma