International Activity Funding

International Programs (IP) is pleased to announce a new procedure for internationally-oriented activities by UM faculty and staff.

Funding may be requested to engage in short-term collaborative research activities overseas, attend an overseas research conference, oversee student international research, or otherwise engage in short-term international activities within the United States or abroad that relate directly to the mission of the University.  All requests for funding internationally-related research and scholarly activities must come in the form of this application and be submitted by the deadlines listed below.  Previous awards have averaged between $1000 and $1500.  Although larger awards will be considered, the maximum award amount will not exceed $2500. Prior to applying for this funding, applicants should explore other funding sources, particularly from their unit.  All matching funds available through other sources must be listed in the budget sheet.
 
This funding application does not replace the Faculty International Exchange Program.  Faculty members interested in long-term international exchange should apply for funding through the annual Faculty Exchange proposal submission.  This funding application also does not replace the Faculty Professional Enhancement Program (mini-sabbatical, visiting scholar, instructional development, sabbatical competitions). 

Faculty Eligibility:

All UM faculty are eligible to apply for funding.

Faculty Application Evaluation:

Faculty applications will be evaluated on a competitive basis.  The following criteria will be used as the basis for evaluating the merits of each proposal and must be addressed explicitly in the application:

1. Anticipated effect upon The University of Montana curriculum as measured by course development and enrichment, syllabi changes, thesis supervision, and related outputs
2. Anticipated effect upon scholarship, research and/or creative activities at The University of Montana as measured by refereed publications, grant applications, contracts, presentations, or other related works
3. Anticipated effect upon the University and local community as measured by articles, speeches, presentations, performances and related contributions
4. Consistency of the proposal with the internationally-oriented strategic initiatives of the University

Faculty Application Format:

Applications should include the cover sheet, no more than two pages of narrative (single-spaced, 12 point font, 1" margins), a budget worksheet, and a 1-2 page summarized CV.

Staff Eligibility:

All permanent, non-probationary staff and administrators who are employed at least half time (0.50 FTE) are eligible to apply for funding. Employees must have completed at least six months of service.

Staff Application Evaluation:

Staff applications will be evaluated on the following criteria which must be addressed in the application:

1. A letter of support from the applicant's direct supervisor
2. Anticipated effect for improved job performance
3. Anticipated effect on the department/unit and the mission of the University

Staff Application Format:

Applications should include the cover sheet, no more than two pages of narrative (single-spaced, 12 point font, 1" margins), budget worksheet, 1-2 page resume, and a letter of support from the applicant's supervisor describing the applicant's job performance, institutional benefit and impact on the unit.

Application Deadline:

Applications are due on the following deadlines: October 1 and April 1.  If the deadline falls on a weekend, the application is due on the following business day.

Applications must be submitted to International Programs (International Center, Room 111) by 5:00 PM. Late applications or applications that exceed the length limits specified above will not be considered.

Budget Guidelines:

A formal budget worksheet and proposed timeframe for travel must accompany each application.  Allowable budget items are detailed in the next section. 

Award Expenditures:

All funds awarded must be spent exclusively for the travel for which the application is being submitted and are non-transferrable.  Awards will be judged by the amount of funds available, the quality of the application, and the number of applications submitted.  Recipients are responsible for working with their designated departmental travel manager and need to follow UM travel and policy guidelines.

Allowable Expenses:

1) Airfare:  Quoted market coach price at the time of application submission.

2) In-country Travel (in-country air, rail, rental car, etc.):  Allowable provided the in-country travel can be justified in the context of the overall application objectives.  Quoted market coach price for in-country travel is required at the time of application submission.

3) Lodging:  Applicants are strongly encouraged to seek out economic lodging arrangements while traveling.  See the Business Services travel guidelines for allowable lodging amounts (www.umt.edu/bussrvcs/travel.htm). The applicant is responsible for arranging all housing. 

4) Meals:  See the Business Services travel guidelines for meal per diem amounts. (www.umt.edu/bussrvcs/travel.htm)

5) Registration: Cost of conference or workshop registration.

6) Incidentals: Not allowed.

Application Evaluation:

Applications that meet the formatting and deadline requirements will be reviewed by the International Committee, which will discuss and rank them based on the criteria described above.  Recommendations will be forwarded to the Associate Provost for International Programs who will make funding decisions in consultation with the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs.  All funding decisions are final, and International Programs reserves the right to request a revised budget in cases where applications are not funded at the full requested amount.