Over the years, students of all levels have completed projects in countries including but not limited to Greece, India, Spain, England, Germany, and Chile. For summer 2025, the International Institute (II) and its constituent centers have coordinated nearly 300 awards worth over $837,000. This total includes additional support from the Rackham Graduate School for master’s and doctoral students completing international research.
The International Institute administers nearly 25 fellowships, including the Rackham International Research Awards (RIRA), to support international summer research and internships, totaling more than $1 million in funding. These awards are open to all U-M Ann Arbor students, regardless of citizenship. Through the Global Individual Grant (GIG), RIRA, and the William A. and Shirley P. Yolles Graduate Fund for Research on Humanitarianism, applicants can conduct research or do internships anywhere in the world. Area studies centers at the II contributed to this total number of awards by offering fellowships and grants to conduct research and internships in Africa, Armenia, the Caribbean, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Latin America, Eurasia, the Middle East, and Thailand.
Looking ahead, the applications for summer 2026 open on December 1.
Testimonials from past awardees:
"The experience abroad advanced my problem-solving and decision-making skills, and it made me a more globally-minded individual."
"I gained community, made connections, and became a more well-rounded archaeologist."
"The most valuable aspect about my experience was getting the chance to continue a partnership I have already been cultivating for years; it solidified our collaboration."
The II Fellowships & Grants team, along with their center partners, is dedicated to providing students, faculty, and staff with support for international and area studies. For questions about the internship and research awards or any other opportunities listed on our website, please reach out to our advisors at iifellowships@umich.edu or make an appointment.
