University of Wisconsin–Madison
Study Abroad
Back to Top

UW Wisconsin Idea Fellowship Program

Wisconsin Idea Fellowship group holding books and smiling

Worldwide, Worldwide

This program supports the Morgridge Center for Public Service and students who receive a Wisconsin Idea Fellowship (WIF). These fellowships are awarded annually to undergraduate students working towards addressing a challenge identified along with a local or global community partner. On average, 5 – 10 fellowships are awarded every year. This program is specifically for students working on an international project. 

Projects are designed by an undergraduate student (or group of up to 5 students) in collaboration with a community organization and a UW–Madison faculty or academic staff member. Past project topics include health, engineering, art, education and many more. Students will designate a faculty mentor in their fellowship application with the Morgridge Center. 

Students who intend to complete project work internationally will be working closely with both IAP and the Morgridge Center staff on this program. Morgridge Center staff advise students about WIF project requirements, overseas opportunities and the general application process. Students interested in completing an international project must complete the WIF application through the Morgridge Center before completing the IAP application. IAP will provide assistance through course registration, international insurance coverage, and with emergencies abroad.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Implement the Wisconsin Idea by using education and research at UW-Madison to benefit the communities beyond our campus borders while learning from community partners and experts.

  • Deepen cross-cultural understanding through community-based learning, outreach and/or research. 

  • Utilize asset-based approaches and cultural humility to learn from off-campus knowledge holders and resources.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

Request Information

Join our email list to receive program updates-including application notices, scholarship information, and more!

Eligibility

  • To participate on the program, students must apply to and be selected for a Wisconsin Idea Fellowship international project.

  • Students must be enrolled and maintain undergraduate status through the duration of project implementation.

  • 2.0 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

UW Signature

Subjects

Subjects will vary depending on individual project ideas.

Classroom Language

English, Depends on location

Housing

Responsible for arranging your own housing

Program Duration

Summer: Mid-May - August

Winter Intersession: Late December – Mid-January

Exact dates and length of program will vary by project and will be set by students and faculty mentors. Program dates should not overlap with UW-Madison Spring or Fall semester instruction dates.

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 4/10/2026 Cost Details
Winter Intersession 2026-27 9/4/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

Students earn up to 3 credits for their WIF project. The number of credits for the international component of your project will depend on the work and time abroad and will range from 1-3 credits.

IAP will enroll you in a study abroad placeholder course while abroad, which keeps you enrolled as a UW-Madison student. You do not need to register for a course while abroad. 

Upon completion of your work abroad, IAP will work with your faculty mentor to confirm your grade, credits and course equivalent. Credit is typically reported as a directed study or independent study course. 

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents

RETURN TO TOP

History Department Global Perspectives Scholarship

Description
History majors at UW-Madison are eager to study and intern abroad and bring what they learn in the classroom to life.  The Department of History’s Global Perspectives Scholarship hopes to make this possible for History Majors and those pursuing a Certificate in History.  This scholarship provides students with financial awards starting with $1500 towards short term study abroad and intern abroad programs, $3000 towards semester programs, and $4000 towards year-long programs.  The scholarship can be used toward the eligible study or intern abroad program of your choice. Award Amount
$1500-$4000

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Department of History Global Perspective Scholarship, an applicant must be:
1. a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student at UW-Madison in good academic and disciplinary standing
2. a History Major or pursuing a Certificate in History
3. Be in the process of applying, or have already applied, to a UW-Madison Study or Intern Abroad program for Summer, Fall, Winter Intersession Spring, or Academic Year. International Internship participants must be enrolled in the Worldwide Internship Program (WIP) online course.

Additional consideration will be given to:

-Members of traditionally underrepresented groups in higher education: African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Southeast Asian (i.e., Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Vietnamese)
-Students with financial need (EFC of $12,000 or lower preferred)
-Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds (educational or social disadvantage, such as coming from a low-income family, an underserved rural or farming community, attending a school with a limited college preparatory curriculum, or other family circumstances that have affected your educational opportunities)
-First generation college students
-Students traveling abroad for the first time
-Additional funding may be available for students completing internships in Africa while enrolled in the Worldwide Internship Program (WIP).

How to Apply
This scholarship is an auto-match application. Students who submit an application for the IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) will be automatically considered if they meet the eligibility criteria.

L&S Honors Study Abroad Grant

Description
Each year, the L&S Honors Program supports Honors students intending to study abroad at a UW-Madison-approved academic study abroad program through the L&S Honors Study Abroad grants. Award Amount
$1250

Eligibility Criteria
L&S Honors student studying on an approved UW-Madison Study Abroad Program How to Apply
Students can apply for this award at Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH).

Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation

Description

The Foundation supports Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts undergrads who plan to study abroad, regardless of their major/minor. It is not necessary to be an Academic Scholarship recipient to apply; nor are Academic Scholarship recipients excluded from applying. Study abroad may occur during first/second/summer semester, or the full academic year.

Award Amount
$1000

Eligibility Criteria
Provide proof verifying receipt of the Silver
and/or Gold Award.
Submit a letter of recommendation from a Girl
Scout volunteer or staff member who is not a
relative. The letter of recommendation MUST
be written within the past six months,
specifically for this scholarship.
Provide proof of acceptance to study in an
accredited “study abroad” program.
Show proof that the cumulative grade point is
at least a “B”.
----------------------- How to Apply
Follow instructions on website for application details

Sarah Perry Fund for International Study

Description
This funding comes from Sarah Perry, who having studied abroad for a year, wishes to support the same opportunity for students.
Recipients may attend the University’s Approved Study Abroad Program of their choice (of any duration, international location, or subject matter), but may lack the necessary financial resources to do so. Award Amount
$5000

How to Apply
This scholarship is an auto-match application. Students who submit an application for the IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH) will be automatically considered if they meet the eligibility criteria.

IAP Early Bird Scholarship

Description

Undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need are encouraged to apply for the Early Bird Scholarship from International Academic Programs (IAP).  You apply to this scholarship earlier than others, and also find out if you got it earlier – which is why we call it the “Early Bird.”

This $2000 scholarship is intended to:

This award does not cover pre-departure costs.  Instead it is applied to your account during the term you receive your program bill.

Award Amount
$2000

Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship is open to students who:

Additional consideration is given to students who have the following attributes:

How to Apply
Students can apply for this award at Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH).

IAP Gilman Incentive

Description
IAP will provide a guaranteed $1000 scholarship to students applying to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for the first time and meet the Gilman's scholarship eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

Students can only receive the IAP Gilman Incentive one time in their academic career. No additional application to IAP is needed and our staff will notify recipients after the Gilman scholarship deadline. Award Amount
$1000

How to Apply
For more information and to apply, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website. No additional application is needed for the IAP Gilman Incentive award. Students can only receive the IAP Gilman Incentive one time.

IAP WISc Scholarship

Description

This scholarship was established by International Academic Programs (IAP) to assist undergraduate student participants in the Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program with building their global competence and citizenship skills, which is the core goal of the WISc Program.  Each WISc Scholar is eligible to receive scholarships as follows: 

1) 1 scholarship of $2500 toward participation on a short-term study abroad program duration (winter intersession, spring break, or summer), and

2) 1 scholarship of $4000 toward participation on a semester program OR 1 $6000 towards a year long program.

These scholarships can be used for students attending any approved UW-Madison study abroad program. 

Award Amount
$2500-$6000

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible for student participants of the Wisconsin International Scholars (WISc) Program at UW-Madison.

How to Apply

Students apply through the WISc Scholar Travel Grant application.