About the IFSA Foundation

The IFSA Foundation was established in the State of Indiana in June of 2004 and is a federally tax exempt institution under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Foundation functions under federal guidelines and reporting requirements established by the Internal Revenue Service for not-for-profit private foundations.

The IFSA Foundation intends to concentrate on projects that will provide much needed strength to undergraduate study abroad in the United States: scholarships to extend opportunities particularly among underrepresented groups; start-up funding for underdeveloped areas of semester and full year study abroad programs; and support for the development of innovative projects designed to broaden the scope of the undergraduate study abroad experience. We believe that this is the first foundation whose mission focuses exclusively on the advancement of study abroad as a major component of higher education in the United States.

The IFSA Foundation was first announced at the Annual Meeting of the National Advisory Council of the Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University, in September 2004. An announcement over SECUSS-L was made in January 2005 and this website became operational in February 2005.

In fall 2004, The IFSA Foundation made three inaugural grants: to the Forum for work on setting standards for the field of study abroad; to the International Student Exchange Program on its 25th anniversary of contributions to the field through exchanges worldwide; and NAFSA: Association of International Educators for work in the training of practitioners in the field.

Future grants will be awarded only upon the submission of written proposals. As required by federal regulations, awards must officially be made by the Board of Directors of the IFSA Foundations; however, the Board has established a National Review Committee to carry out the initial review and ranking of all proposals. The committee consists of five members with a proven long-standing commitment to professionalism in the field of study abroad at the college and university level. Since it is probable that some proposals may require specialized knowledge beyond the collective capacities of the committee for effective review and assessment, (e.g. language study and acquisition, study in scientific or engineering disciplines), the committee has the option and means of consulting with qualified experts for assistance with review and ranking of proposals.

The IFSA Foundation's grant awarding cycle functions on a semi-annual basis. Grant proposals are due by March 15 and October 1 of each year; awards will be announced on May 15 and December 15.

Please note:
We will NOT be offering grants this coming spring.

We appreciate the interest that has been shown in the IFSA Foundation and encourage you to apply for grants for the next cycle with the deadline date of October 1, 2008.