UMass Boston

Faculty are key to advancing UMass Boston's mission through global research, education and engagement. The Office of Global Programs offers programs, funding, and resources that support UMass Boston's faculty in achieving their goals in every corner of the world.

See below for: 

• Grant Opportunities
• Planning a Faculty-Led International Program 
• Starting a virtual international collaboration within your courses

Grant Opportunities:

Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Programs & KA171 Funding for Faculty/Staff Exchanges:

Erasmus+ offers U.S. faculty & staff valuable opportunities through Blended Intensive Programs (BIPs) and KA171 funding. BIPs allow faculty to design or join short, collaborative programs combining online learning with a brief in-person component in Europe, fostering international teaching and research networks. You can see current open BIPs here. KA171 funding supports faculty and staff exchanges with European partner universities, covering travel and subsistence to teach, train, or build institutional partnerships abroad. Together, these programs provide professional development, expand global collaboration, and strengthen ties between U.S. and European institutions.

If you have an existing relationship with an EU university, inquire with them the possibilities of these opportunities. A separate agreement is needed and can take time to process. Several UMass Boston faculty and staff have received KA171 funding for week-long exchanges. Talk to the Office of Global Programs for advice if looking for a potential partner.

Faculty submits a Faculty-Led Program Proposal typically more than 12 months in advance of the program start date in order to have all details finalized leaving ample room for student recruitment. Your initial application will require a proposal narrative and estimated budget sheet that has been signed and approved by the Chair of your department and Dean. A complete application will include a detailed program narrative, approved course syllabus, and confirmed budget sheet. An approved proposal is reviewed by the Office of Global Programs for final recommendations, and will require approval by UMass Boston Risk Management, and Export Control. Contracts with the providers or other organisations that provide services for faculty-led programs must be reviewed by UMass Office of General Counsel (OGC) and approved by UMass Office of the President Unified Procurement Services Team (UPST).

For any questions, please email brittany.dhooge@umb.edu

Key Information for Faculty & Departments: 

• The Office of Global Programs pays instructor salaries for approved summer faculty-led programs. It does not come out of departmental budgets.
• Per Diem, Flights, and all program costs for the faculty leading the program are agreed upon, and then calculated into the cost for the students participating
• Typically, 1 faculty member's costs are included in the program. Some faculty have decided to split per diem/salary in order to co-teach the course together abroad. (Flights, program inclusions could be adjusted in program fees to cover 2 faculty).
• Depending on the program provider for logistics, the typical minimum student number to run the program is 8-10 students. 
• Promotion for faculty-led programs is primarily the responsibility of faculty/departments- successful programs always have engaged faculty commitment to promoting the program 9-12 months from the program start date. Successful programs promote directly to the students in their major/minor with info sessions, in-person classroom visits, listserve/blast emails to all majors/minors, etc. Another key for success is for the course to be available to non-majors/minors, with General Education distributions for the course such as World Culture, World Language, International Diversity, etc. very helpful for recruitment. Faculty should be prepared to promote their program at the Study Away Fair in early-September for the following summer program.
• Several departments have dedicated funding for their majors to join programs. Every dollar matters to students being able to participate in programs. 
• Offering faculty-led international programs in departments internationalizes curriculums, gives students meaningful resume-building experience, fosters connections with international universities, organizations, and communities for the university abroad, & attracts students to declare minors/majors in those departments. 

Timeline for New Programs