Grants [Updated: April 2017]

As a PreK-12 or college/university teacher or administrator, do you want to travel more–yet struggle to find a way to afford it? What if someone else paid your travel expenses and gave you a professional development opportunity that would enrich your classroom? Many of these opportunities come with an obligation to contribute your learning in some way (via lesson plans, curriculum development, blog posts, research findings, etc) in exchange for your grant, but isn’t sharing your knowledge what teaching and traveling is all about?

Read on to learn about 28 Travel Grants and Other Travel Opportunities for Teachers and Education Professionals! [Updated April 2017.]

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Travel grants provide a wonderful opportunity for teachers. I’ve compiled a list of the 28 top travel opportunities I could find (including grants and other programs) where teacher travel is paid for in part or in full by others! Most of these programs are aimed at U.S. teachers, but not all–so if you are from another country I would encourage you to browse this list and check into programs offered in your area as well! Also, if you’re not a teacher there are a few opportunities listed that are open to others as well, so have a look.

Some programs are purely for the travel experience; others include options for continuing education or grad school credits, yet others are opportunities to bring your students along for the learning adventure. Options range from a few days to weeks, months, or even years. Travel could be within the U.S. or to many destinations around the world.

After each program description, I have included the link to the program website where you can obtain additional information, plus a practical action step you can take right now that will move you toward taking that trip. Don’t procrastinate!

I’ve also compiled a spreadsheet for you with these programs on it so that you can sort, add new programs you find, delete irrelevant programs, and update it for your own use. Feel free to personalize it however you like! Click below to download it for free!

The application process may be all that stands between you and the world. Some opportunities are more competitive than others, but one sure way to not earn a travel opportunity is to not pursue it. It’s worth a try, don’t you think? The deadlines for some of the 2018 programs have passed but most programs already have announcements for their 2019 programs.

​If you’re a high school teacher and you’ve been wanting to travel to the U.K., this may be your chance. Spend 3 weeks attending the Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance course at Shakespeare’s Globe in London; English Literature, Creative Writing, International Politics, The Story and Future of English, or History, Politics and Society courses at The University of Oxford; or Text and Context, Theater and Performance, and Creative Writing courses at Scottish Universities’ International Summer School (SUISS) program based in Edinburgh. Scholarships cover tuition, room, and most board. Deadlines vary according to the local branches, but it seems most scholarship applications are due between February and April or until no spaces are remaining. Applications for Summer 2019 will reopen in late 2018.

Program website:

Action step:

Visit this page to find out how to apply:

2. Council on International Educational Exchange

Live abroad for a semester or a full school year or more and earn a salary while you’re at it! (Note: salaries are not always very high, but with living expenses much lower in most parts of the world, what you do earn would last much longer than it would in the U.S.) This teach abroad program requires applicants to have a Bachelor’s degree (any field–so if you’re not actually a certified teacher this may be an option for you, too–but if you are, you’ll probably have an advantage over other applicants!) and be a native speaker of English. Other requirements vary depending on your destination. Your job will be to teach English to primary, high school and/or university students abroad. In some cases housing and other benefits are provided, allowing you to save more of what you earn! Deadlines vary depending on each country. Check the website for details!

Program website:

Action step:

Visit this page to apply:

3. Earthwatch Institute Teacher Fellowships

Are you an American K-12 teacher with a passion for science? Regardless of your teaching specialty, you’re invited to apply for a scholarship where you’ll help world-class scientists with their research projects in locations around the world. Scholarships cover the cost of the expedition and also a portion of your travel expenses to and from the expedition site. Expeditions are one week long and occur during the summer. Expeditions available include trips to Arizona, Montana, Mexico City, Little Cayman, Ecuador, and the Arctic’s edge. Applications deadlines vary for each program so make sure to check out their website.

Program website:

Action step:

Fill out the interest form on this web page:

4. Earthwatch Student Group Expedition Leader

If you are a high school teacher drooling over the Earthwatch Teacher Fellowships I mentioned in #3 above, an alternative option might be to organize a student group expedition! If you can organize 6 or more paying students for an expedition, you come along for free. Expeditions last 1-2 weeks and can be arranged at a time of year that is most convenient for you and your students. Science teachers rejoice!

Program website:

Action step:

Contact Earthwatch to express your interest and explore some options. Here's their contact page:

5. Education First (EF) Educational Tours

Similar to the Earthwatch Student Group Expeditions in #4, EF Tours will sponsor a teacher for free for every 6 paying students that the teacher recruits for a tour. For each additional 6 students, another adult chaperone can also join for free. What a marvelous opportunity to introduce your teen students to the world!

Program website:

Action step:

Visit the web page at http://www.eftours.com/student-tours/leading-a-tour, scroll to the bottom of the page, and click the "Get Started" button. Then fill out the short form or call EF Tours at the number provided there to get the ball rolling!

6. Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program

Spend 3-6 months abroad in one of various different countries to pursue individual projects, conduct research, take courses for professional development or lead master classes or seminars for teachers and students. The awards cover program costs, including transportation, lodging, host institution fees, related expenses and a maintenance allowance. The program is open to current full-time elementary through high school teachers, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, curriculum heads, Talented and Gifted coordinators, Special Education coordinators and media specialists/librarians. You must have at least 5 years of teaching experience, be a U.S. citizen, be fluent in English, and have or be earning a Master's degree. Applications are due in November. NOTE: There is also a program for international teachers to visit the U.S. on a Fulbright Award, so if you are a teacher from outside the U.S. and interested in living there for 4 months, visit the website and click on "International Teachers" in the navigation bar for more information.

Program website:

Action step:

Visit and fill out the form at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sign-up-2018-2019-fulbright-da-program-application to be notified when the online application for the 2018-2019 program becomes available.

7. Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program (ETA)

Open to U.S. citizens with Bachelor's degrees (being a teacher is not required), the ETA is a program that lasts for the academic year of one of over 70 host countries. Your round-trip airfare, living expenses and other benefits would be provided while you help strengthen English language instruction in elementary, secondary and/or university classrooms in your host country. Applications are due in October. NOTE: There is a similar Fulbright program for non-U.S. citizen teachers to come to the United States for one academic year. The Fulbright FLTA Program provides young teachers of English as a Foreign Language the opportunity to refine their teaching skills and broaden their knowledge of American cultures and customs while strengthening the instruction of foreign languages at colleges and universities in the United States. For more details see http://exchanges.state.gov/non-us/program/fulbright-foreign-language-teaching-assistant-flta

Program website:

Action step:

Review the application checklist at this page: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/application-checklists/eta-applicationchecklist and the application components listed at this webpage: http://us.fulbrightonline.org/applicants/application-components/eta. The link to the online application is at the bottom of the navigation menu on the left hand side of the page.

8. Fulbright Hays Summer Seminars

Spend 4 to 6 weeks between late May and mid-August traveling to one or more countries around the world. Seminars are designed to provide a broad and introductory cultural orientation to a particular country or countries. The program is geared towards those educators with little or no experience in the host country(ies) who demonstrate the need to develop and enhance their curriculum through short-term study and travel abroad. The program is open to K-12 educators and administrators with responsibilities for curriculum development in fields related to humanities, languages, and area studies. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have a Bachelor's degree, have at least 3 years of teaching experience and currently teach full time. All expenses are paid except for a cost share, which is usually $600.00. Applications are due in February.

Program website:

Action step:

Information for the 2018 program does not appear to be available yet, so keep an eye on the website! Begin preparing to apply by reviewing the frequently asked questions and the application pointers listed on this website:

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/iegpssap/faq.html You'll also find contact information on that page if you have additional questions about the status of this program!

9. Fulbright International Education Administrators Program (IEA)

This is a two-week program open to U.S. citizens who are senior-level administrators at universities, colleges, and community colleges. Grantees have the opportunity to learn about the host country’s education system as well as establish networks of U.S. and international colleagues. Grantees return with enhanced ability to serve and encourage international students and prospective study-abroad students. Program participants travel to various countries, with all expenses paid. Applications are due at various times of the year depending on the destination country.

Program website:

Action step:

Read the special application instructions found on this page under the "application" tab: http://www.cies.org/program/fulbright-international-education-administrators-program-iea

10. Fulbright Travel Grant

If you already have a study/research grant for a project that involves travel to Germany, Hungary or Italy and needs additional help with travel funds, this is your lucky opportunity! This appears to be a supplemental grant that would cover travel expenses for another research grant. The application is open to U.S. citizens with Bachelor's degrees. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country to communicate with the people and to carry out their proposed study/research. The grant covers travel expenses and more. Applications are due in October.

Program website:

Action step:

First of all, you'll need to obtain a study/research grant to Germany, Hungary or Italy (the grant would cover study costs but not travel). Done? Visit this page to apply for the travel grant: http://iie.embark.com/apply/usstudent

11. Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program

This is a grant for groups, and the duration of the grant can vary wildly (from a few weeks to four years) depending on the project type. The amount of the grant varies accordingly, topping out at up to $375,000. Grants can be used for advanced overseas intensive language training projects or other purposes. Group members must be U.S. citizens and faculty members in modern foreign languages; elementary or secondary teachers; experienced educators who plan or oversee language programs at the elementary, secondary or postsecondary levels; or a university junior, senior, or grad student intending to teach foreign languages after graduation. You'll need to get your institution to apply for this grant through the Department of Education. Application deadline is in March and 2018 dates have not been posted as of today.

Program website:

Action step:

Institutions of higher education, state departments of education, private nonprofit educational organizations, and consortia of institutions, departments, and organizations are eligible to apply, so the first thing you need to do is get in touch with the organization that makes the most sense for you and discuss the possibilities with them! Find out if it would be beneficial for you to put together a group/team of people to participate in this grant opportunity.

12. Fund for Teachers Fellowships

If you're employed full-time as a Pre-K through 12th grade teacher, have at least 3 years of experience and spend at least 50% of your work week in direct instruction with students in a classroom, you are eligible for up to $5,000 as an individual or up to $10,000 as a team for a Fund for Teachers Fellowship. This is a flexible grant which can be used for a variety of education-related projects, but many teachers choose to use it for travel (see #14).

Applications open in October 1, 2018 for the 2019 grants.

Program website:

Action step:

On October 1st, 2017 click on your state on the map at this web page: http://www.fundforteachers.org/apply/ to apply.

13. Gilder Lehrman Institute Summer Seminars

These one-week summer seminars, held at prestigious universities and historic sites around the United States are open to full-time K-12 history, social studies, and English language arts teachers; community college faculty; school librarians; National Park Service interpreters and New Teacher Fellows (students about to graduate from college with a degree in history or education, who intend to pursue a teaching career). Scholarships cover full room, board, and tuition for K-12 public school teachers and matching funds for independent school teachers. You'll also be reimbursed up to $400 for travel expenses to and from the seminar. These seminars are offered exclusively to participants in the Institute's free Affiliate School Program.

Program website:

Action step:

To check to see if your school is in the Affiliate School Program please visit https://www.gilderlehrman.org/programs-exhibitions/affiliate-schools or to register your school please visit https://www.gilderlehrman.org/user

14. Global Exploration for Educators (GEEO)

While GEEO does not offer scholarships directly, they do offer some great travel programs just for teachers, and many educators have applied other grants and scholarships (such as the #12 above--Fund for Teachers) toward GEEO trips. GEEO offers travel opportunities all over the world for K-12 teachers and their family members. They also provide professional development certificates and optional graduate credit opportunities. Check it out!

Program website:

Action step:

Browse the upcoming travel programs at http://www.geeo.org and find one that really excites you. Then either start saving up, speak to your school's principal and/or professional development coordinator regarding grants that your school district or state offers, or find a grant on your own (such as the Fund For Teachers--#12 above) that will cover your costs! Check this page for funding advice: http://www.geeo.org/grants-funding/.

15. Go Abroad's Teach Abroad Directory

Check out this directory for a list of teaching opportunities worldwide! Earn a salary for teaching English abroad.

Program website:

Action step:

Browse the job listings and apply to the ones you're interested in! https://www.goabroad.com/teach-abroad#

16. Goethe Institut Scholarships for Teachers of German

This is a scholarship for German teachers or trainers of German teachers outside of Germany. You must have an excellent command of the German language to be eligible for this scholarship. Programs last one to three weeks in the summer in Germany.

Applications are due in October.

Program website:

Action step:

Step-by-step instructions for the application process can be found on the program's web page, here: http://www.goethe.de/ins/de/pro/fid/Bewerbungsformular_Stipendium_2017.pdf

17. Goethe Institut Transatlantic Outreach Program

U.S. and Canadian K-12 social studies teachers, social studies methods professors, curriculum coordinators, principals/assistant principals, State Department of Education employees, and STEM educators who have the ability to integrate social studies topics into their curriculum are eligible to apply to spend two weeks in the summer in Germany. The grant covers nearly all travel expenses!

Applications are due in February.

Program website:

Action step:

The application instructions and application form are on the website: https://www.goethe.de/ins/us/en/spr/eng/top/top_teachers/top_study_tour.html

18. IREX Teachers for Global Classrooms Program

This is a year-long program with a 2-3 week international field experience component. The grant covers the tuition for the online course, travel expenses to the required symposium in Washington D.C., plus your international travel expenses and a chance to apply for alumni grant funding! You'll earn continuing education credits, too. To apply you must be a U.S. citizen currently residing in the U.S., and be a full-time middle school or high school teacher with five or more years of classroom experience.

"Recognizing that teachers are the greatest resource in empowering students to be global citizens, TGC was developed to equip fellows with the global competencies necessary to bring an international perspective to their schools. Through targeted training, an international field experience, and collaboration with colleagues in other countries, teaching and learning is transformed in their classrooms, effectively bringing their students onto the global stage."

~IREX Website

Program website:

Action step:

Stay updated with the available and upcoming programs by joining the mailing list and/or contacting IREX to find out the details for applying! Links for the mailing list and the e-mail address can both be found on the web page: http://www.irex.org/project/teachers-global-classrooms-program-tgc

19. Japan-U.S. Teacher Exchange Program for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)

Travel to Japan next summer! This program provides U.S. teachers and administrators with a fully-funded opportunity to spend a few days in Japan to learn about ESD efforts and strengthen ESD curricula in both countries.

Program website:

Action step:

Visit this website for application instructions: https://www.iie.org/en/Programs/ESD/How-to-Apply/Online-Application-Instructions. As of this writing, next year's application was not available yet, but there is an e-mail address you can write to if you wish to be notified about future programs.

20. Keizai Koho Center Teacher Fellowship

Here's another opportunity for the Japanophiles out there. You'll spend over 10 days, mostly in Tokyo, touring major industrial and corporate facilities; meeting with business leaders, government officials, and educators; and spending time in schools interacting with teachers and students. You would stay with a Japanese host family. Your travel costs and most meals are covered. To qualify, you must never have lived in Japan or visited on a similar study tour, and you must be a middle or high school teacher of economics, social studies, geography, or history, or a district or state-level administrator, specialist or supervisor, or a college or university faculty member involved in training K-12 educators.

Application for the 2018 program closed in February and is scheduled June 25-July 2, 2018. Keep an eye out for the next programs by checking their website.

Program website:

Action step:

Visit the website for the 2018 program for a list of required documents and other important information: http://www.kkc.or.jp/english/fellowship/fellowships/index.html#howtoapply

21. National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellowships

Here's an amazing opportunity to travel aboard the ship National Geographic Explorer to one of several possible destinations for 10-17 days! This is a fellowship for K-12 classroom teachers and informal educators from the U.S., Canada, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Candidates must have a proven dedication to geographic education and show promise to continue as well as be a National Geographic Certified Educator and a member in good standing of their state's Alliance for Geographic Education. You must have plans to return to a teaching environment after the expedition and demonstrate the ability to incorporate what you learn into your teaching. You'll be required to attend a workshop in Washington, DC (expenses paid) prior to your expedition. The fellowship covers your D.C. workshop and all travel expenses related to the expedition.

Program website:

Action step:

Set a calendar reminder to visit the program website in November, when next year's application will become available! http://www.nationalgeographic.org/education/programs/grosvenor-teacher-fellows

22. NEH Summer Programs in the Humanities for School and College Educators

Spend 1 to 4 weeks of your summer at important cultural and historical sites in the U.S. and abroad! This program, open to school, college and university educators, covers between $600 and $3,300 of your expenses. Registration for the 2018 programs are over but stay tuned to their website for updates of the upcoming events.

Application instructions and requirements vary for each individual program. Browse through the program listing at http://www.neh.gov/divisions/education/summer-programs and click on programs that interest you to apply!

23. New Jersey Education Association Hipp Foundation Grants

Are you a New Jersey public school teacher? (If not, do a search or ask your school district about a similar program in your own region!) If you are, you're eligible to apply for a grant that you can use to fund your innovative ideas. Past award winners have used them for travel with GEEO (see #14 above).

Applications are due in March.

Look through the projects from previous grant recipients to get an idea for what makes a successful application, and reach out to those winners if you have questions or need guidance for your own application. See previous grant recipients here: https://www.njea.org/grants/hipp-foundation/applying-for-a-hipp-grant/

24. NOAA Teacher at Sea

Spend 1-4 weeks, usually in the summer, aboard a NOAA ship in domestic and/or international waters! Your transportation costs, lodging, and a per diem allowance are covered. Eligible candidates must be employed full time this year, and in a similar capacity next year, as a K-12 teacher or administrator; college teacher; museum or aquarium educator, or adult education teacher. Non-U.S. citizens may apply, but will be required to go through a clearance process in order to be able to sail. You'll need to provide evidence of good health, have a supervisor who is supportive of your endeavor, have excellent communication skills, and be computer literate.

Applications are already closed for the 2018 program. Their website says that applications for 2019 programs will commence on November 2018. Keep checking the website to see when applications open up: http://teacheratsea.noaa.gov/#/how_to_apply/Call_for_Applications

25. Omprakash Volunteer Abroad Grants

This grant supplies between $500 and $2,500 for travel and living expenses to volunteer abroad within an international network of grassroots health, education, and environmental "Partner" organizations worldwide. Omprakash does not charge any volunteer fees, but the majority of volunteers are still required to cover their own travel and living expenses. The grant program enables individuals who want to contribute but need help with these expenses. Anyone of any age, nationality, gender, religion, or any other background characteristics may apply!

Applications are due in February.

Visit the website at https://www.omprakash.org/volunteer-abroad-grants and click on " Apply to be an Omprakash Ambassador >>" at the top and bottom of the page.

26. Peace Corps Response

Peace Corps Response provides opportunities for qualified individuals to undertake short-term, high impact assignments in programs around the world (in contrast to the 2 year commitment required by traditional Peace Corps volunteers). To be eligible for service applicants must be at least 18 years of age and a U.S. citizen. In addition, Peace Corps Response requires that all applicants have at least 10 years of professional experience, be a doctor or nurse applying to Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP), or be a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV).

View current opportunities or search on specific criteria to find opportunities that match your interests. Completing the application only takes a few minutes and applying for new positions once you create a profile is easy. Click "search openings" on the following web page to begin: https://www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer/response-openings/

27. Toyota International Teacher Program

The Toyota International Teacher Program is an international professional-development opportunity for U.S. secondary school teachers focusing on environmental stewardship and global connectedness. Selected teachers travel on a short-term (2-3 week) study tour to a country that is at the forefront of innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The teachers explore environmental issues through hands-on activities and incorporate what they learn into interdisciplinary and solution-focused lesson plans to share with their students and communities in the U.S. Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, be employed as a full-time classroom teacher or teacher-librarian in a U.S. secondary school (grades 7 – 12), and have a least three years of full-time teaching experience. The Toyota International Teacher Program values diversity and encourages educators of all backgrounds, subjects, and school types to apply for this unique professional development opportunity.

A new strategic direction for the program is currently being explored. During this time they aren't hosting a study tour, but if you want to be notified of future opportunities follow the instructions on the "Browse Programs" page: https://www.iie.org/Programs. Also, they would love your feedback regarding the future direction of the program! Fill out their survey here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TSZR8KH

28. Worldstrides International Discovery Programs

This is another student tour company (similar to Earthwatch Student tours - #4; and EF Tours - #5). First time student group leaders travel free with just 5 students enrolled. You'll also receive one free European Teacher Convention!

Visit the "Educators" page and select the option that best fits your current position or call the number below for more information. https://worldstrides.com/resources/educators/

If you apply for a trip, I'd love if you can share the exciting news in the comments below! By the way, if this list of resources results in a trip abroad for you, please tell me about it either via the contact page or in the comments! I am passionate about helping teachers travel and it is my goal to help at least 1,000 teachers travel the world, but I will never know I've played a part unless you tell me, so please keep in touch.

Also, don't forget to grab the free spreadsheet I made for you. It took me many hours to research and put together, and it lists all the programs I wrote about above, plus a few bonus sites you might want to check out. You can personalize it however you want. Just click the banner below to grab it!

Last but not least, if you spot any errors, know of any programs that should be included in this list, or have discovered that any of the above programs has changed or been discontinued, please help me out in the comments below so that we can keep this page as up to date as possible. Additionally, if you have any previous personal experience with any of these grants or opportunities, please share your story in the comments! Thanks for your help, and I look forward to hearing about your next trip abroad!

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