Vancouver Island University is committed to supporting curriculum and university programming that is international in nature and provides students with the attitudes, skills and knowledge necessary to perform effectively (professionally and socially) in an international and inter-cultural environment.
The Global Engagement Grant program, currently on hold for 2023-2024, is designed to support VIU faculty and staff with Travel and Program Development funding as they work towards VIU's internationalization goals. See more details below.
“What a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues from around the globe, to share insights and experiences, all with the goal of finding ways to promote the best experience for students who have chosen Vancouver Island University to further their education.” – Elsie Thyssen, Finance Manager
The Global Engagement Travel Grant is designed to assist VIU faculty and staff to explore or develop international teaching and learning opportunities that directly benefit the VIU community. Funding can be used to pay for eligible travel expenses only.
See the Travel Grant Guidelines and Application Form.
Download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Important: Download and save a copy of the form to your computer before filling it out or you may lose your work.
Application Deadlines and Program Budget
| Round | Deadline | Eligible Travel Dates | Total Funds Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 1 | November 1 - March 31 | None available |
| 2 | January 31 | April 1 - October 31 | None available |
| 3 | April 30 | June 1 - October 31 | None available |
Past Recipients
See Reports and videos from previous grant recipients
Download the Activity Report
“This experience represented my first opportunity to conduct research that was international in scope. It also reinforced for me the value of international travel for my own ability to provide meaningful and striking examples for dialogue in the classroom.”
– Jerry Hinbest, Professor, Sociology
“The relationships I have established will assist me in my role and the experience has made me a more thoughtful and well-rounded employee. I have a better understanding of the challenges faced by our international students and can now support them in a more effective way.”
– Stephanie Watkins, Secretary
Contact Us
Contact Darrell Harvey, Darrell.Harvey@viu.ca, phone 250.753.3245 Ext. 6378
The Global Engagement Program Development Grant is designed to support faculty and staff as they develop curriculum and university programming that is international in nature and provides students with the attitudes, skills and knowledge necessary to perform effectively (professionally and socially) in an international and inter-cultural environment. The intent of the program is to foster incremental, innovative activities that weave internationalization into curricula, departments or areas where there is little or no international focus.
See the Program Development Grant Guidelines and Application Form.
Download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Important: Download and save a copy of the form to your computer before filling it out or you may lose your work.
Application Deadlines and Program Budget
Round | Deadline | Total Funds Available |
|---|---|---|
1 | October 1 | None available |
2 | January 31 | None available |
Past Recipients
See Reports from previous grant recipients
Download the Activity Report
“This project demonstrated that students can be positively impacted by early exposure to intercultural partnerships, which can be used to encourage them to further pursue these partnerships over their academic and professional careers.”
– Brian Dick, Professor, Physics/Engineering/Astronomy
“We believe the efforts of our program development grant, over the past two years, have strengthened both our curriculum and our ability to better prepare students for practice in a diverse world. We look forward to the continued journey.”
– Terry Spronk, Child and Youth Care
Contact Us
Contact Darrell Harvey, Darrell.Harvey@viu.ca, phone 250.753.3245 Ext. 6378
The Global Engagement International Work Opportunity Grant is designed to engage VIU faculty and staff in high quality international workplace-based experiences that support development projects. Funding will be considered for proposals from VIU faculty and staff who seek to pursue short-term international work or volunteer placement opportunities. The placements will take place in the workplaces of our partner organizations or institutions, or through a reputable international volunteer placement program in which VIU is participating, including the WUSC Corporate Volunteer Program.
There are currently two application streams offered within the Global Engagement International Work Opportunity Grant, as follows:
General Application
VIU faculty and staff can apply for funding towards a short-term international work or volunteer placement opportunity with one of VIU’s existing partner organizations or institutions, or for funding towards a placement with an organization or institution as initiated by the applicant, in consultation with International Education. Please see VIU’s Global Engagement office for a list of current international project partnerships.
See the International Work Opportunity Guidelines and Application for more information on applying for this grant (does not apply to WUSC Corporate Volunteer program). Download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Important: Download and save a copy of the form to your computer before filling it out or you may lose your work. If you are interested in applying to the WUSC Corporate Volunteer program, please see the next section - WUSC Corporate Volunteer Program Application.
WUSC Corporate Volunteer Program Application
VIU has partnered with WUSC to offer employees the opportunity to live a personal and professional growth experience while participating in a three to four week volunteer assignment in a developing country, all while contributing to lasting change.
Pre-departure training, vaccinations, visas, flights, accommodation, and a per-diem for food and local travel required for work are covered by VIU’s Global Engagement International Work Opportunity Grant and by WUSC for successful applicants.
You can apply in two easy steps!
Visit the current advertised positions online, noting the roles designated as Corporate Volunteer Positions. If you do not see a position that matches your skill-set, you are encouraged to apply anyways, as new opportunities come up frequently.
Review and complete the WUSC Corporate Volunteer Guidelines and Application by the deadline.
Download a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Important: Download and save a copy of the form to your computer before filling it out or you may lose your work.
Application Deadlines
Applies to General Applications and WUSC Corporate Volunteer Program Applications.
Round | Deadline | Eligible Travel Dates | Total Funds Available |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | October 1 | November 1 - March 31 | None available |
2 | Early Applications: January 31 Final Deadline: February 28 | April 1 - December 31 | None available |
Past Recipients
See Reports from previous grant recipients
Download the Activity Report
“This was not travel I would have attempted or necessarily been interested in prior to being offered the experience, but I now have more confidence and interest in contact with other parts of the world.”
– Robin Davies, Professor, Media Studies/Digital Media Technology
“I've returned to VIU with more confidence in my professional skills, a renewed commitment to my environmental values, and greater empathy for the experience of our international students.”
– Tracy Vandermolen, International Education
Contact Us
Contact Darrell Harvey, Darrell.Harvey@viu.ca, phone 250.753.3245 Ext. 6378
The expanding relationships that are emerging through our growing partnership with Nyaka, Uganda, are truly inspirational and empowering. I am excited, hopeful, and humbled by the initiatives spear-headed by our friends in Uganda and look forward to further collaborative possibilities. – Nadine Cruickshanks, Professor, Education