Overview:

This supports faculty participating in a site visit abroad (approximately 4-6 days) for the purpose of developing and leading a new study abroad program. Funding available from the Charn Fund.

The purpose of the site visit abroad is to enhance the development of the study abroad program by providing faculty with first-hand knowledge of the location. The structured site visit abroad should focus on both academic components and program logistics, such as: (a) meetings with universities, academic institutions, corporations or industry, cultural or professional organizations, etc., (b) visits to museums, libraries, historical and cultural sites, etc., (c) exploration of program logistics like accommodations, transportation, etc., and (d) other activities approved by the UNT Study Abroad Office.

Preference will be given to applications that include an underrepresented destination, underrepresented discipline, and/or faculty who have not previously led a UNT study abroad program. Applicants should have minimal previous experience living, working, and/or visiting the country.

Award Information:

  • Maximum Award Amount: $3,000
  • Allowable Expenses: (a) airfare, (b) accommodations, (c) meals, (d) in-country transportation, and (e)entrance fees for museums, cultural sites, or other approved activities for one UNT faculty member to participate in a study abroad site visit of approximately 4-6 days
  • Preference will be given to applications that demonstrate college and/or department cost-share and/or other funding sources.
  • The number of awards, award amounts, and use of funds is at the discretion of the Vice Provost for International Affairs.
  • This is supported by the Charn Uswachoke International Development Fund (Charn Fund), a generous endowment from UNT alumnus Charn Uswachoke, to contribute to international impact in UNT’s classrooms through curriculum innovation and to prepare internationally competent UNT graduates.
  • The Charn Fund does not support the following use of award funds:
    • Salaries or operating expenses for personnel, projects, or offices
    • Student-related expenses, such as wages, stipends, travel support, scholarships, etc.
    • Travel to countries on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s foreign adversaries list or travel to designated countries in Executive Order GA-48, including: China, Hong Kong, North Korea, Iran, Cuba, and Russia
  • All project expenditures must be reconciled by December 31, 2027. Any remaining funds will not carry forward beyond December 31, 2027. In the event the project cannot be started/completed during the project period due to any circumstances, project funds will not carry forward and you must inform Dr. Amanda Bennett.

Eligibility:

  • UNT tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty, and professional faculty with approval from their academic associate dean (or equivalent).
  • Preference will be given to faculty who have not previously received funding from International Affairs.
  • Individuals are not allowed to submit more than one application for funding from International Affairs during a given application cycle.
  • Faculty are ineligible to apply if they have previously led a study abroad program in the proposed country and/or have already received approval from the UNT Study Abroad Office to lead a faculty-led program in that country.

Project Period:

  • Site visits may occur during Fall 2026, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, or Fall 2027.
  • The site visit must conclude by December 31, 2027 and expenses must be reconciled by December 31, 2027.

Application Information:

  • Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until October 1, 2027, as funding remains available.
  • The application process includes:
    1. Faculty must meet with the UNT Study Abroad Director (or designee) and UNT Study Abroad Assistant Director to discuss the feasibility of the proposed faculty-led study abroad program and to determine if a site visit is necessary for program development.
    2. The UNT Study Abroad Office will then discuss the proposed faculty-led study abroad program and site visit with the faculty member’s Academic Associate Dean (or equivalent). If the Academic Associate Dean (or equivalent) is in support of the proposed faculty-led study abroad program and site visit, then they will submit a nomination (no more than 1 page) to the UNT Study Abroad Office indicating college-level approval of the proposed faculty-led study abroad program and site visit, providing a sustainability plan for the program to be offered for a minimum of two cycles, and indicating if the college will provide any college cost-share.
    3. If both of the previous conditions are met, faculty will receive a link to an online application to submit their proposal for a site visit.

Review Criteria:

Applications are reviewed by a UNT committee. The following criteria are used when evaluating applications:

  • Provides a sustainability plan demonstrating the feasibility and commitment to offering the faculty-led study abroad program for a minimum of two program cycles
  • Articulates the site visit's contribution to the creation of a faculty-led study abroad program by identifying specific objectives, anticipated outcomes, and how the site visit will support program design, planning, and proposal development
  • Enhances students’ global competence by providing meaningful opportunities for intercultural learning, global engagement, and discipline-specific international experiences
  • Advances the internationalization of the curriculum through the integration of global perspectives, intercultural learning outcomes, and innovative teaching practices
  • Demonstrates broad and sustained impact on student learning within a specific academic discipline or across multiple disciplines

Preference will be given to applications that:

  • Involve applications from faculty who have not previously led a UNT study abroad program
  • Involve applications from faculty who have not previously received funding from International Affairs
  • Include underrepresented destinations and/or underrepresented disciplines
  • Demonstrate college and/or department cost-share or other funding resources