The L&S Honors Study Abroad Grants support L&S Honors students who intend to study abroad as part of a UW-Madison-approved academic study abroad program. Funding is generously provided by donors to the L&S Honors Program.
Students selected receive a standard grant of $1,250.
Grants are awarded through two cycles each academic year based on the term of the study abroad program you plan to attend. Please review the details of each cycle below.
Fall Cycle
- Eligible study abroad terms:
- Spring 2026 semester
- 2026 Calendar Year (January to December 2026)
- Deadlines:
- Application opens: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
- Deadline: Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Spring Cycle
- Eligible study abroad terms:
- Summer 2026 term (at least three weeks)
- Fall 2026 semester
- 2026-2027 Academic Year (Fall and Spring)
- Deadlines:
- Application opens: Early January
- Deadline: Late February
Who Can Apply
- Must be an enrolled undergraduate student for the term during which the abroad experience takes place
- Must be a declared student in the L&S Honors Program pursuing Honors in the Liberal Arts, Honors in the Major, or the Comprehensive Honors track
- Must have a minimum 3.3 cumulative GPA at the time of application
- Must have applied to a UW-Madison-approved academic study abroad program for the eligible term
- A student can only receive this grant once
The application includes the following components:
- Questions about your intended study abroad program including location/country, duration, level of language immersion (if applicable), and current application status
- Short essay about how the experience will impact you as an Honors student
- An opportunity to provide context on financial need and impact of this funding on your ability to go abroad
The L&S Honors Study Abroad Grant application is available in the Wisconsin Scholarship Hub (WiSH). You can access WiSH through your MyUW or by logging in at wisc.academicworks.com.
Applications for this grant are reviewed by the L&S Honors Program Senior Staff. Applications are evaluated using the following criteria:
- Strength of written statement(s)
- Financial need
- Academic record (including GPA)
- Progress toward completing your Honors track(s)
- Characteristics of the selected study abroad program, which may include:
- Language immersion (as determined by UW International Academic Programs)
- Program duration
- Affiliation with the L&S Honors Program (see Honors-sponsored study abroad programs)
Receipt of the L&S Honors Study Abroad Grant funds is contingent on the recipient being accepted to the study abroad program and attending the program. Prior to processing payment, the L&S Honors Program will verify that the recipient is attending the program.
All recipients will need to submit a short summary of their experience abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which study abroad programs are eligible for this grant?
Eligible Programs
- Must be a UW–Madison-approved academic study abroad program
- This includes programs offered through International Academic Programs (IAP) or other UW-affiliated study abroad offices.
- Can be for fall, spring, summer (minimum 3 weeks), or a full academic or calendar year
- May be Honors-affiliated or non-Honors-affiliated
- Preference may be given to students attending one of the Honors-sponsored programs, such as:
- Ceiba Tropical Conservation Semester (Ecuador)
- University College Utrecht Exchange (Netherlands)
- National University of Singapore Honors Exchange (coming soon)
- Preference may be given to students attending one of the Honors-sponsored programs, such as:
Ineligible Programs
- Internship-only programs, or those without an academic component
- Programs not approved by UW–Madison
- Study abroad experiences that do not meet the minimum duration requirement (e.g., summer programs shorter than 3 weeks)
Can I also apply for (and receive) other scholarships or grants?
Yes. We encourage students to apply for all financial aid opportunities for which they are eligible. The L&S Honors Program will coordinate with International Academic Programs (IAP) about funding decisions in order to maximize the number of students supported. The review committee will prioritize applicants who demonstrate financial need.
Do I need to present or report back after my trip?
You are required to share your experiences with the Honors community through a Google Form and may be asked to contribute reflections or testimonials.
Can I earn Honors credit while I am abroad?
How will I receive the funds?
This grant is processed as a scholarship to your Student Account during the term you are studying abroad. Students receiving scholarships may have financial aid package adjustments. If you have questions about your financial aid and/or the potential impact of receiving this scholarship, you are encouraged to consult with the Office of Financial Aid. If you have further questions, please contact L&S Honors Program Administrator Kendra Ramthun at honorsprogram@honors.ls.wisc.edu.
Further questions?
Please reach out to Associate Director of Admissions and Engagement, Pete Keys, at pkeys@wisc.edu.
Additional Resources
Explore UW-Madison-approved academic study abroad programs and the International Academic Programs website.
Resources for funding your study abroad experience are available at https://studyabroad.wisc.edu/funding/.
Attend an upcoming information session to learn more about Study Abroad Grants and other Honors funding opportunities.