Empowering Your Growth: Explore Forum Fellowships

The Forum on Education Abroad proudly supports fellowships designed to provide unique and in-depth professional experiences. We are excited to support two fellowship opportunities in 2025:

• The Forum Fellowship Program Sponsored by MISTI
• Sara's Wish Foundation Fellowship

Continue reading to learn about each fellowship opportunity and apply today!

Forum Fellowship Program

In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's International Science and Technology Initiatives (MISTI), the Forum Fellowship is ideal for graduate students looking for a practicum or internship experience. This fellowship is designed to provide an intensive and in-depth experience to newcomers to the field of education abroad.

A pilot program sponsored by MISTI, the 2025 Forum Fellowship will engage selected fellow(s) in The Forum’s Professional Certification Accelerated Residency program and then match them with experienced mentors at MISTI to work on a meta project.

The goals of The Forum Fellowship are:

• To expand and diversify the network of new professionals in our field.
• To provide a practical, meaningful, and mutually beneficial experience for the individuals and institutions involved. 
• To deepen understanding of the application of the Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad and encourage completion of the Professional Certification in Education Abroad credential. 
• To cultivate early-career international educators who champion education abroad experiences.

Sponsored by:

Timing and Locations

The full time commitment for the 2025 Forum Fellowship is approximately 6.5 weeks on site, plus additional time to complete the assignments required to earn the Professional Certification in Education Abroad.

• June 23-25 | Chicago, Illinois
  • ​Participation in The Forum’s Professional Certification Accelerated Residency program in Chicago, IL at University of Illinois Chicago.
• July and August | Cambridge, Massachusetts
  • ​Six weeks on campus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) engaged in a full-time internship with MISTI, completing project based work in education abroad (exact dates TBD).

Funding and Costs

The 2025 Forum Fellowship will be fully funded by The Forum on Education Abroad and MISTI:

• The Forum will cover registration, hotel, travel, and meals for the Professional Certification Accelerated Residency program.
• MISTI will provide a modest salary to cover travel, housing, and living expenses for the 6 week on-campus portion of the fellowship.  

Fellow's Responsibilities

• Attend The Forum’s Accelerated Residency in June 2025.
• Commit to a minimum of 30-hours per week for six weeks of an on campus internship at MIT.
• Commit to full participation for the duration of the program.
• Attend virtual meetings (including a pre-fellowship and post-fellowship meeting with The Forum and MISTI leadership).

Application Process

A maximum of two Forum Fellows will be chosen in 2025. Before applying, Please review the following requirements and timeline closely to ensure that the application process and fellowship time commitments will work for you.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Application Criteria

If you meet the criteria listed below, you are eligible to apply to be a Forum Fellow in 2025:

• New to the field of education abroad (less than 3 years) i.e. graduate students working toward a degree in international education, student affairs, or other related discipline. 
• Committed to working in the field of education abroad and to issues surrounding access and engagement 
• Able to fulfill the responsibilities and requirements listed above 
• Committed to applying the Standards of Good Practice in Education Abroad and who will be champions of creating, revamping, and maintaining high-quality and accessible education abroad programs in their work.
• Legally permitted to work in the United States throughout the year of 2025.
• Individuals studying or working at HBCUs, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other minority serving institutions are encouraged to apply. 

Application Timeline

​Application Opens: December 12, 2024
Application Closes: February 11, 2025
Review Period: After February 11, 2025
Notification Period: Late-February/Early-March
Fellowship Dates: June, July, and August 2025

Accelerated Residency 2024 participants in Denver, Colorado.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Apply for The Forum Fellowship

Forum Fellowship Sponsors

The 2025 Forum Fellowship is a pilot program sponsored by MIT’s International Science and Technology Initiatives. Interested in sponsoring a practicum or hosting a Forum Fellow in the future? Contact us at [email protected]. 

Sara's Wish Foundation Fellowship

Sara’s Wish Foundation has generously provided funding for the establishment of a Sara’s Wish Foundation Fellow. The recipient of the Sara’s Wish Fellowship will receive funding to enroll and participate in The Forum on Education Abroad Professional Certification program. Participants may choose from the Professional Certification Asynchronous Course hosted by the SIT Graduate Institute, or the Accelerated Residency program offered in-person each June. 

Application Timeline: ​

• Application Opens: December 12, 2024
• Application Closes: February 11, 2025

​A maximum of one Sara's Wish Foundation Fellowship will be awarded in 2025. Priority will be given to applicants from Forum member Minority Serving Institutions. Selections will be made by a committee of Forum staff chaired by the Director of Programs and Training. 

Fellow's Responsibilities

The selected fellow will be required to complete all of the following: 

• Finish The Forum on Education Abroad Professional Certification program within a year of start date.
• Submit testimonial for the annual Sara’s Wish Foundation report.
• Participate in the virtual meet and greet with the Sara’s Wish Foundation administrators.
• Complete 3 of the following activities: 
  • Write Three (3) Health and Safety related Blogs 
  • Deliver one (1) Health and Safety related presentation at a conference or workshop 
  • Create two (2) health and safety resources 
  • Research and collect ten (10) health and safety resources for The Forum’s resource bank 
  • Design and execute a social media campaign for the Sara’s Wish Foundation 
  • Volunteer at one (1) Forum event 
  • Create and put into action a health and safety project at their institution/organization 
  • Secure additional funding for the Sara’s Wish Foundation 
  • Project of their choosing approved by The Forum staff 

Apply For The Sara's Wish Foundation Fellowship