2024-25 RFP: Request for Proposals for Short-Term Study Abroad Programs

RFP Proposal Deadline for embedded courses in Spring 2026, winter break programs in January 2026, and summer programs in summer 2026: 
Monday, January 27, 2025

Background: In support of the university’s strategic goal of increasing study abroad participation and COLL 300 (for undergraduates), as well as broader initiatives to support comprehensive internationalization across all schools, the Global Education Office (GEO) at the Reves Center for International Studies is accepting proposals for short-term study abroad programs for 2025-26, including summer 2026 and with a special emphasis on winter break 2026 programs.

The Short-Term Study Abroad Program RFP is designed to encourage proposals for study abroad programs ranging from 10 days - 9 weeks which enhance and complement existing study abroad programs as well as embedded Williamsburg-based semester courses with a short international component. Program proposals for long-standing, regularly repeatable programs should continue to follow normal policies of respective schools. Selected proposals will receive significant need-based scholarship funding to help make these experiences financially accessible to students as well as support by the Global Education Office and Reves Center for International Studies. Proposals from faculty in all W&M schools are eligible.

Goals for new study abroad programs:

• to develop international short-term study opportunities in a broad range of disciplines and geographical areas that will appeal to a wide range of W&M students (undergraduate and graduate) and faculty and which complement existing study abroad opportunities;
• to keep program costs comparable to summer school costs, to the extent possible;
• to develop programs that compliment, enhance, and are integrated into students’ on-campus programs/curriculum to the fullest extent possible;
• to offer courses that are closely and inherently related to the site at which they are taught—and thus offer educational opportunities students could not get on campus;
• to develop opportunities for intercultural learning; and
• to encourage students, through international experiences and study, to value others’ perspectives and see themselves as part of a bigger, global world. 

Proposal evaluation:
In evaluating the applications, the review committee will take into consideration the following criteria:

• site-specific nature of course and connection to local learning opportunities;
• new and previously unrepresented study abroad fields of study and/or destinations; and
• any possible overlap with existing programs. 

A select number of proposals will be accepted and receive some student scholarship funding.

The characteristics of a short-term study abroad program:

• majority of the coursework takes place overseas;
• for undergraduates, a one-credit pre-course prepares students for the experience;
• at a minimum, one 3-credit course while abroad (COLL300 eligible for undergraduate students)
• program represents a one-time study abroad opportunity which may serve as a pilot for a sustainable continuing program; and
• the program runs during winter break 2026 or summer 2026

The characteristics of embedded semester courses:

• majority of the coursework takes place at W&M with a smaller component overseas
• on-campus 3-credit semester courses are eligible for this added embedded feature
• the course/program runs in Spring 2026

Type of support from the Global Education Office (GEO):

• students and faculty support from start to end of the process (including program development assistance, student selection/vetting help, pre-departure orientation, assistance during the programs, and returnee programming for the year following the abroad experience);
• help with U.S. and on-site logistics;
• faculty pre-departure workshops;
• international contacts and contracts (if needed); and
• need-based student scholarships (up to $30,000 across three programs)

Terms of 2025-26 GEO RFP and embedded study abroad programs:

• The focus of this initiative is to support short-term study abroad programs which complement the portfolio of existing short-term study abroad programs. Program proposals should address this directly.
• GEO will provide approx. $50,000 in additional need-based study abroad scholarships for approx. four new short-term programs as well as up to $30,000 for three semester embedded courses.
• Programs must include either graduate and/or undergraduate students.
• Proposals should include an explanation of how the program experiences will be disseminated, both within W&M and more broadly.
• Programs with the potential for sustainability beyond the pilot phase will receive special consideration.
• Faculty who are funded are expected to participate in select Global Education Office and Reves Center events during and following the funding period, in order to share information about and help promote the program.
• Faculty directors of these programs are also expected to provide a written summary of 800-1,000 words about the program, which will be used in W&M communications to promote the international dimensions of the university.

Compensation:
Compensation is in line with W&M faculty-led summer study abroad.

Short-term winter and summer programs: Program Director salaries for the duration of travel; and, for short-term programs (not embedded courses), course compensation based on the A&S summer compensation scales. Travel, lodging, and a partial meal supplement will be provided to Program Directors for the duration of the program.

Embedded programs: Program Director salary of $1,000. Travel, lodging, and a partial meal supplement will be provided to Program Directors for the duration of the program. An embedded course should be part of regular teaching load and therefore compensated through normal salary. Please confirm with your department.

Questions:
Please contact Sylvia Mitterndorfer, director of the Global Education Office, (757-221-3595) with questions or to discuss possible study abroad program proposals.
To preview questions on the application: RFP Application Questions.2025-26.docx