Funding your trip

Funding opportunities for French teachers and students

Vive l’expérience collects numerous funding ideas to help educators and students afford immersive cultural experiences abroad. With travel scholarships and other creative solutions, this resource empowers you to explore new destinations without breaking the bank.

The trip far exceeded my already high expectations… Meeting L’homme plastique, the school experience in Thiès, the many opportunities to talk to Senegalese people… so many experiences were through the roof amazing.

Heidi E. · Senegal educator trip

Grants, scholarships and funds

27 sources, largest first

Deadlines are as published on each organization’s site and change yearly — verify before applying.

LCIF GrantsLions Clubs InternationalVarious grants for Lions Club members.Deadline: Contact your local club · Website ↗

Varies

Rotary Foundation GrantsRotaryDistrict grants fund small-scale, short-term activities that address needs in your community and communities abroad. Global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes in Rotary’s areas of focus. Must be a member of a Rotary Club to apply.Deadline: Contact your local Rotary Club · Website ↗

Varies

AFT Innovation FundAmerican Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIOGrants that directly invest in classroom initiatives, educator supports and school-based enrichment programs. Local and state K-12, PSRP and higher-education members apply with support from their affiliate president; focus areas include educator retention, CTE, community schools and literacy.Deadline: Around November 13 · Website ↗

$20,000–$50,000

Teacher Development GrantsMcCarthey Dressman Education FoundationFor licensed K-12 teachers in public or private schools with the background and experience to complete the project and willingness to collaborate with the Foundation.Deadline: January 15 – April 15 (closes at 350 submissions) · Website ↗

Up to $10,000/yr, $20,000 over two years

Teacher Creativity Fellowship Program (TCFP) — Indiana teachers onlyLilly EndowmentSupports K-12 educators throughout Indiana with resources for meaningful renewal: intentional experiences that restore enthusiasm and stimulate creativity, not typical vacations. 18-month fellowship periods.Deadline: September 8, 2025 (39th round) — verify 2026 dates · Website ↗

Up to $15,000 (≈125 awards)

Voya Unsung HeroesVoyaNearly $5 million awarded over two decades to educators’ innovative class projects; 50 educators selected, three receive top awards.Deadline: Late April (verify current year) · Website ↗

50 × $2,000 + $5,000 / $10,000 / $25,000 top awards

Innovation Circle GrantFund for TeachersFellowship proposals that prioritize teachers seeking solutions to their own problems of practice, and that center students as changemakers in their communities.Deadline: Applications open October 1 · Website ↗

Up to $5,000 individual / $10,000 team

Decision Education Teacher FellowshipThe Alliance for Decision EducationA national cohort of teachers who learn about Decision Education and implement new practices with their students across the school year, joining a professional learning community.Deadline: June 2 · Website ↗

$5,000 stipend

Diversity Grants and Innovation GrantsOhio Education Association Educational FoundationDiversity Grants develop classroom programs that promote diversity, tolerance and respect; Innovation Grants support creative practices where learning is enriched by experience or project.Deadline: Around February 10 · Website ↗

Up to $3,000 / $5,000

Grants from your school or universityYour school, district or universityNumerous teachers and professors obtained funding through their school or university before signing up. Vive can provide a letter to support your request with relevant information about the trip and its benefits. Connect with your administrator, dean or school leadership.Deadline: Usually a year ahead, or the fall before a Vive trip

Up to $5,000 (based on past participants)

Faculty Travel & Course Development AwardsUNC-Chapel Hill African Studies CenterSupports Africa-focused research travel, course development (50%+ African content), conference participation and linkages with African institutions. Open to UNC faculty and faculty at minority-serving institutions in North Carolina.Deadline: TBD for 2026 (2025: May 9) · Website ↗

Up to $5,000 (limited)

Conference and Research GrantsNational Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (NFMLTA)The governing organization of the Modern Language Journal supports five grant opportunities.Deadline: Varies · Website ↗

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Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (students)U.S. Department of StateFor undergraduates traditionally underrepresented in education abroad. Must be a U.S. citizen, in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution, receiving a federal Pell Grant, and applying to a credit-bearing program of at least three weeks in a single country.Deadline: Usually in December · Website ↗

Up to $5,000

Learning & Leadership GrantsNEA FoundationFor teachers, education support professionals and specialized instructional support personnel who are current NEA members. Grants fund activities for 12 months from award.Deadline: Rolling; reviewed February 1, June 1, October 15 · Website ↗

$1,500–$5,000 (≈75 projects)

Stipend for Wolof Studies — Summer African Language InstituteKansas African Studies CenterTuition stipends for educators to attend the remote Summer African Language Institute (June–July, four hours a day, Monday–Thursday). K-12, minority-serving institution and community-college educators especially encouraged.Deadline: Around April 19 · Website ↗

$3,000

Awards and GrantsNational Council for the Social StudiesNCSS honors excellence in the social studies classroom with Elementary, Middle and Secondary Level Teacher of the Year Awards and other grants.Deadline: September 23 · Website ↗

Various, some around $2,500

Scholarship for Study Abroad (future teachers of French)American Association of Teachers of French (AATF)One scholarship per year for a student enrolled in a teacher-education program in French to fund a semester or year abroad in a francophone country. Applicant must be 18+, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, a non-native speaker of French, and recommended by an AATF member teacher. Paid directly to the program.Deadline: March 15, 2026 · Website ↗

$2,000

Going Study Abroad Scholarship (students)Going.comOpen to any U.S. citizen or resident enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning.Deadline: March 15 and October 15 · Website ↗

$1,500 (4 per year)

Teacher Professional Development GrantsQatar Foundation InternationalSupport for primary and secondary teachers of all subjects to participate in professional development that enhances their ability to teach Arabic and/or about the Arab world.Deadline: Application opens early January · Website ↗

Up to ~$2,000

New grant find Teacher FellowshipPulitzer CenterA paid, virtual program connecting a small cohort of grade 4–12 educators with journalists and the Pulitzer Center education team. Fellows develop and implement short units connecting students to global news and media literacy, then share them publicly.Deadline: Next call likely spring 2026 · Website ↗

Paid fellowship — check website

New grant find International Teacher Travel GrantChapel Hill–Carrboro Public School FoundationFor teachers and staff who plan to travel to countries linked to their students’ backgrounds and/or the curriculum. Recipients continue teaching in the district, use the travel in their classrooms and share with colleagues. One award per teacher.Deadline: Fall grant cycle · Website ↗

Up to $1,000

Love of Learning AwardsPhi Kappa PhiFunds post-baccalaureate professional development for active Phi Kappa Phi members: graduate study, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching, research or learning.Deadline: June 30, 2026 · Website ↗

$1,000 (155 awards)

UFLA Teacher Vitality AwardsUtah Foreign Language AssociationFor current UFLA members contracted to teach in a public or private school (elementary through university) who intend to teach the language at least three more years and will share their experience with members.Deadline: December 10 and March 15 · Website ↗

$500–$1,000

New grant find Grant for Project-Based Learning in World Language EducationCentral States Conference / Klett World LanguagesRewards project-based learning that engages students with language and culture while fostering global citizenship and sustainability. For K-12 and college world-language teachers in the Central States region whose state organization is a Central States member. Proposal of up to 1,000 words with objectives, timeline and budget.Deadline: January 15, 2026 · Website ↗

Up to $500 (4 grants)

Classroom Microgrants for Language EducatorsACTFL Language Connects Foundation / VistaSmall grants for K-12 language educators to organize cultural events or create projects that support diverse perspectives and cultural competence. Could fund post-trip projects in the classroom.Deadline: Three cycles a year (Sept–Nov, Nov–Feb, Feb–Apr); 2026 not yet announced · Website ↗

Up to $300

ScholarshipsPhi Sigma Iota Foreign Language National Honor SocietyExpanded scholarship program for current alumni of collegiate chapters and other professional members, supporting professional projects within the field of foreign languages.Deadline: See website · Website ↗

Check website

Awards, scholarships and grants including Travel Grants for TeachersNew York State Association for Language Teachers (NYSAFLT)A multitude of awards, scholarships, grants and stipends for world-language teachers, students, advocates and champions.Deadline: Varies · Website ↗

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