International Learning Experiences

Funding

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Are you concerned that your international experience will add extra costs that you can’t afford? Don't let finances hold you back from the opportunity of a lifetime. There are many funding options to help offset the costs of your trip. If you are flexible on where you want to travel and study, you may be able to access funding of up to $7,000! Explore your options below. 

Funding Application Deadline and Criteria:

All awards administered by the International Centre are the responsibility of the Funding Committee. The committee meets on a regular basis. This means that there is no deadline for funding applications, but there are two critical things to note: 

1. Your application and supporting documentation MUST be fully complete (1 combined PDF document starting with the full application) and submitted at least 1 month prior to your departure date.

2. The chair of the committee will go through your application to ensure everything is complete only if the application is submitted one month prior to your departure. This will allow you enough time to rectify any omissions. If you don't provide enough time in advance of your departure, we can't guarantee this check will be done, and you risk having your application rejected on the basis of being incomplete. 

We recommend that you complete the funding application as soon as you are accepted into an international program.

More details can be found on our Apply for Funding page.

 

Dalhousie financial support

Dalhousie has many different funding opportunities available for students who need financial support to make their exchange dreams a reality. Explore the different options available and apply for internal funding now!

George Burris Study in England Awards

This grant was established by a bequest from George Burris to support Dalhousie students wishing to study in England. Grants will be awarded on the basis of academic and extracurricular excellence, financial need, and international experience.

The grant supports:

  • Study, work, or practicum placements of at least four weeks in duration
  • Course work that a student will receive six credit hours for toward a Dalhousie degree
  • Reduced level of support for placements with service or educational programs sponsored/recognized by the university

Criteria for selection:

  • Strong academic achievement
  • Extracurricular achievement
  • Currently registered as a Dalhousie student in good standing

Application

We suggest applications be submitted at least four to six weeks prior to departure, to allow enough time to review the application and process the necessary paperwork.

Note: The grant does not provide retroactive funding. We recommend that you complete the funding application as soon as you are accepted into an international program.

Study/Work International Fund (SWIF)

Established as part of the Student Assistance Program, SWIF provides financial assistance to students who want to take part in a 1 Term or Full Year international placement. There is a maximum award of $2,000 CAD per applicant.  

SWIF supports study, work, or practicum placements for which Dalhousie University will give a degree credit. It provides reduced levels of support for placements with service or educational programs sponsored or recognized by the university. In all cases, the placement must be a component of your degree.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for SWIF funding if you:

  • Qualify for financial assistance on the basis of need
  • Are in good academic standing and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50
  • Will receive academic degree credit for the placement (funding is not available for individual travel, research, or data collection)
  • Have completed five full academic credit courses at Dalhousie
  • Are currently a full-time student

You must complete a pre-departure program prior to applying for any funding through the International Centre.

Application deadlines

The committee meets on a regular basis. This means that there is no deadline for applications, but there are two critical things to note.

  1. Your application and supporting documentation must be fully complete and submitted prior to your departure.
  2. The chair of the committee will go through your application to ensure everything is complete only if the application is submitted one month prior to your departure. This will allow you enough time to rectify any omissions. If you don't provide enough time in advance of your departure, we can't guarantee this check will be done, and you risk having your application rejected on the basis of being incomplete.

We recommend that you complete the funding application as soon as you are accepted into an international program. 

Emily Bevan Harrington Award

The Women’s Division of the Dalhousie Alumni Association established an award from the Emily Bevan Harrington Fund. Emily Bevan Harrington was one of the first women to come to Dalhousie, beginning her studies in 1888. As an important part of the Dalhousie community, a scholarship was started in her name, for women who wanted to further their studies abroad.

Who is it for?

  • Undergraduate or graduate student who will be participating in a study abroad or exchange program for a minimum of one semester.
  • Preference will be given to students who self-identify as female and who live in or has lived in Shirreff Hall Residence.
  • Students who have a minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Students who demonstrate financial need.

How much is awarded?
Two awards annually in the amount of $2000

 

Howard C. Clark International Study Award

This fund was set up in honour of Dalhousie’s 9th president, Dr. Howard C. Clark on the occasion of his retirement. This award is intended to supplement the funding available from SWIF.

Who is it for?

  • Students undertaking a program of study or placement in an international setting related to their academic program at Dalhousie.
  • Students must demonstrate financial need as assessed in the SWIF application.
  • Students who demonstrate academic merit in combination with higher program costs.
  • Students whose programs of study require them to live in a non-western culture.

How much is awarded?

One award annually, in the amount of $1500

  

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT NOW!


Other partially funded programs

Bader International Study Centre Grant

Bader College is in East Sussex, England. Students can expect a rich culture and historical environment in a quiet country setting.

The program offers field trips in England and to the continent to complement classroom study. During your international experience at Bader College, you will attend classes in the castle for Monday through Thursday. Friday, and potentially into the weekend, students travel with a professor to sites related to their studies, where they will engage in experiential learning for each course.

Dalhousie University students study here through the Canadian University Study Abroad Program (CUSAP). CUSAP students come to the Castle primarily from Canadian universities as well as from other countries.

Study program 

Bader College offers an upper-year program for students in their 2nd or higher year of an undergraduate degree.

Program

Upper-year Dalhousie students may attend Bader College for one of the following academic terms:

  • Fall Term: September–December (5 courses = 15 credit hours)
  • Winter Term: January–April (5 courses = 15 credit hours)
  • Summer Term: Early May–mid-June (2-3 courses = 6-9 credit hours)

Scholarships

This amazing academic experience is also the most highly funded! You may not realize it, but depending on your level of financial need, participating in the BISC program can cost the same or less than staying at Dalhousie for a term! If finances are your primary concern, this program is an excellent choice!

Students who apply for nomination to this program through the International Centre will automatically be considered for a scholarship of up to $5000 CAD from Dalhousie's Bader International Study Centre Grant.

To be considered for this grant, it is critical that you apply for nomination be the following deadlines:

  • January 1 – Deadline for Summer Nominations
  • February 1– Deadline for Fall Nominations
  • October 1 – Deadline for Winter Nominations

Note: Students who demonstrate financial need are given priority for this award. Please submit the funding application (link to funding page) in addition to your application for nomination to the Bader College program.

Should your demonstrated financial need exceed what the Bader College grant can provide, we will also consider you for Dalhousie’s George Burris Study in England Award. You may also qualify for funding through Queen's University.

Fees

Fees are set annually by Bader College and are paid directly to Bader College. The amount owing will reflect any scholarship that is applied to your account.

For more information on these fees visit the Bader College website.

Apply for funding

Apply now!

The Killam Fellowships Program

The Killam Fellowships Program (pdf - 568 kb) offers awards to exceptional undergraduate Canadian students to spend one semester or a full year as an exchange student in the United States.

Value of the program

  • $6,000 USD per semester
  • Health insurance allowance
  • Up to $800 USD for in-country travel
  • Killam orientation in Ottawa, ON
  • Spring seminar in Washington, DC

Eligibility

  • Canadian citizen
  • Full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing

Find more information on the Killam Fellowships website.

 

Interested?

To be considered for nomination to this program, complete the Killam application and submit online by December 1, 2024.

Dalhousie will select three students to nominate to the Killam program. The Killam Foundation will then select one to two students to participate in an exchange to the United States.  

McCall MacBain International Fellowship

The McCall MacBain Foundation recently announced a partnership with Dalhousie University to launch the McCall MacBain International Fellowship (MMIF). Up to $30,000 in funding per fellowship is available to pursue a year abroad. Funding includes a travel stipend ($3,000), a living stipend (up to $12,000), an allowance for language courses (up to $4,500), a travel insurance allowance (up to $1,500), and a tuition waiver (one academic term).

The MMIF is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn a language, participate in an academic exchange, build lasting international ties, and deepen their ability to work in a different cultural context. 

Find out more on the MMIF webpage.

Canada Learning Initiative in China


Dalhousie students are eligible for fully funded study programs in China. Through CLIC students stay on track to earn credits toward their degrees, but with the added, life-long benefits of an immersive cultural experience. Find out more. 


External funding

Funding is also available through many private, corporate, and government organizations and associations.

For Dalhousie undergraduate students

For Dalhousie graduate students

Review more external funding sources on the database maintained by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Databases and individual funding opportunities to assist you with your search


Faculty/departmental funding

Check with your faculty or department for additional funding opportunities specific to your studies. Some options include:

Dal Med Class of 72 Bursaries

Description The MD Class of 1972 have established an Endowment Fund with the Global Health Office to provide bursaries to fourth-year medical student to pursue an international education experience. 
Who is it for?

In order to qualify for the bursary, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Fourth-year medical student at Dalhousie University
  • Non-government sponsored international medical student (international elective must be in a country different from their country of citizenship or permanent residency)
  • Complete pre-departure training organized through the Global Health Office
  • Complete the requirements for international travel as a Dalhousie University student
  • The elective destination must be approved by the Global Health Office
  • The elective must be approved by the Undergraduate Medical Education office
More information https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/core-units/global-health/education/medical-students/med-4-bursaries.html
Contact gho@dal.ca

Nursing New Ventures Fund

Description The School of Nursing’s Alumni Fund for New Ventures Development supports current faculty or student led relevant and rigorous projects that advance the mission and goals of the School of Nursing’s Academic Plan.
Deadline

Deadlines for applications are typically February 1 and October 1 of each year.
More information https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/nursing/current-students/new-ventures-fund.html

Dalhousie Pharmacy Endowment Fund (DPEF)

Description

The Dalhousie Pharmacy Endowment Fund (DPEF) supports programs of mutual interest and benefit to both the profession and the Dalhousie College of Pharmacy. Since its establishment in September 1988, the fund has worked to meet the following objectives:

  • To enhance pharmacy education
  • To support the development of new programs, research or services
  • To support the exchange of knowledge through fellowships and scholarships
  • To support research activities in the area of professional practice
  • To provide for the future needs of pharmacy
More information https://www.dal.ca/faculty/health/pharmacy/research/endowment-fund.html 
Contact dalpharmendow@gmail.com

Faculty of Computer Science Exchange Scholarships

Description

The Faculty of Computer Science provides several scholarships of $1000 each for the outgoing exchange students who participate in FCS exchange programs. These scholarships are merit based, and can be held in addition to any other awards. No application is required for FCS Exchange Scholarships. They will be awarded based on the information in exchange applications.
More information https://www.dal.ca/faculty/computerscience/undergraduate-programs/program-planning/exchange-current-students.html
Contact international@cs.dal.ca


Student loan funding

Student loan agencies only fund students for study abroad/exchange if they fall under one of two categories:

  • Dalhousie has a written exchange/study abroad agreement with another institution.
  • The other institution has been approved through the Canada Loans Program.

For more information contact the Registrar's Office.