Updated January 22, 2018:

If one of your goals is to travel more this year, this list is for you!

There is no better time to broaden your perspective, immerse yourself in another culture, and become a truly global citizen. We as a community need to apply to these amazing opportunities more often so we can be better represented among those selected. It is equally, if not more critical that we show the world another face of America—that we (young and ambitious people of color) do exist!

Each of the programs listed below is fully or partially funded, some being short-term while others require longer commitments. Take time to review this list and the qualifications for each, then pass it on to your friends and network. It will be well worth taking the time and effort to put together a well-crafted application and gather recommendations in exchange for an unforgettable experience (with little out of pocket)!

If the program you are interested in is not accepting applications at this time, bookmark this list and come back to later on.

If you are a current student, be sure to utilize the resources of your advisors and on-campus study abroad office, which may be able to introduce you to other international scholarships, fellowships and grants specific to your school and/or academic program.

Apply for one or more of these programs this year! If you learn about a new opportunity here and are selected, please share the great news and let us know about your experience aboard!

This post is a living document that will continue to be updated. If you are aware of additional funded international travel programs that are open to young professionals and recent college graduates, please leave a comment below or send an email to youareblackgold@gmail.com with any information you may have. Thanks!

Young Professionals

These programs may also be open to undergraduate or graduate students, but do not require applicants to be enrolled in a degree-seeking program.

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Emerging Leaders: Japan Study Abroad Program

"In partnership with the government of Japan, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will select 18 participants for the 2018 Kakehashi Project, a study aboard program in Japan for emerging leaders. Through this initiative, the CBCF, the Embassy of Japan, and the Japanese International Cultural Center aspire to increase African American students’ interest in and exposure to global opportunities and the culture of Japan."

Program Location: Tokyo, Japan

Basic Qualifications:

Participants should live, work or attend a school in a Congressional Black Caucus member district. (Find out who your representative is here.)
current undergraduate junior or senior, graduate school student, or recent college graduate (May 2016 or after).

Application Deadline: January 28, 2018

***CBCF programs offer the unique and unforgettable experience of travelling abroad with a cohort of other African Americans.***

Africa Business Fellowship

"The Africa Business Fellowship is a partnership between Econet, African Leadership Network (ALN), and Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). The program will match young American business professionals with paid 3-6-month placements in African companies. Its purpose is to strengthen relationships between the African and American business communities and provide future American business leaders with the hands-on experience they need to truly understand business in Africa."

Program Location: Various African Nations

Basic Qualifications:

Graduate degree and/or 4+ years of meaningful business experience
Track record of academic achievement and early professional success
Strong analytic and communication skills
Community-level leadership accomplishments
Personal traits that reflect their potential: humility, integrity, ability to engage others, and a long-term vision for their place in the world

Humanity in Action Fellowship

"Intensive and demanding, the Humanity in Action Fellowship brings together international groups of university students and recent graduates to explore national histories of discrimination and resistance, as well as examples of issues affecting different minority groups today."

Program Location: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Berlin, Copenhagen, Detroit, Sarajevo and Warsaw

Basic Qualifications:

Must be currently enrolled undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) or recent graduates.
For the 2018 Fellowship, recent graduate is defined as individuals from the undergraduate classes of 2016 and 2017 at accredited, four-year undergraduate colleges or universities in the United States
Applicants of minority backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants may apply to both the Humanity in Action Fellowship programs in Europe and the United States through a single application. However, they cannot choose their city of participation.

U.S. Congress - Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program

"Jointly funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and the Republic of Korea National Assembly, and supported by a Congressional Sponsor, this unique program brings together young professionals from both the U.S. and Korea for a memorable and educational opportunity. Since its inception over 30 years ago, the U.S. Congress - Republic of Korea National Assembly Exchange Program has allowed nearly 500 participants to build lasting cross-border relationships and better understand the legislative process, the history of U.S. - Korean relations, and current economic, political, and security aspects of the bilateral relationship."

Program Location: South Korea

Basic Qualifications:

Active and demonstrated interest in the U.S. government, U.S. foreign policy, and/or U.S. - Korean bilateral relations;
A minimum of three academic years at an accredited institution of higher learning;
American citizen, preferably between the ages of 21 and 27 and with a valid U.S. passport; and
Enthusiasm for travel and experiencing different cultures and traditions.

Additional program information can be found here.

Blakemore Freeman Fellowships

"Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are awarded for one academic year of advanced level language study in East or Southeast Asia. Eligible languages are Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Burmese, Indonesian, Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese."

Program Location: Various Nations in East or Southeast Asi

Basic Qualifications:

pursuing a professional, business, technical or academic career that involves the regular use of a modern East or Southeast Asian language.
by the start of the grant, have a college undergraduate degree.
be at or near an advanced level in the language. The minimum requirement is three years of study of the language at the college level, either through classes taken in university or in combination with study-abroad language programs
able to devote oneself exclusively to full-time intensive language study during the term of the grant.
U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.

Rotary Foundation Global grants

"Global grants support international activities within Rotary’s areas of focus:

Humanitarian projects provide sustainable, measurable outcomes that address real community needs.
Vocational training builds skills within a community through targeted educational programs or by supporting teams of professionals who travel abroad to build their own capacity or the capacity of the community they visit.
Scholarships fund international graduate-level study by people seeking a career within an area of focus."

Program Location: Various Countries

Basic Qualifications: Vary based on the proposed project and location. Learn more here.

Graduate Students

These programs require applicants to be enrolled in a degree-seeking program. Many accept both undergraduate and graduate applicants.

CrItical Language Scholarship

"The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains."

Langauages Offered:

Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Punjabi, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu: Beginning, advanced beginning, intermediate and advanced levels;
Arabic and Persian: Advanced beginning, intermediate and advanced levels;
Chinese, Japanese, and Russian: Intermediate and advanced levels.

Program Location: Various Countries

Basic Qualifications:

U.S. citizen at the time of application
Enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate's, bachelor's) or graduate (master's, doctoral, professional degree) level at the time of your application.
Undergraduate students must complete at least one academic year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program.

Boren Fellowship

"Boren Fellowships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Boren Fellows represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation."

Program Location: Various Countries

Basic Qualifications:

A U.S. citizen at the time of application
Planning an overseas program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Boren Fellowships are not for study in the United States.
Either matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program at a U.S. college or university located within the United States and accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Boren Fellows must remain matriculated in their graduate programs for the duration of the fellowship and may not graduate until the fellowship is complete.

Information on the Boren Scholarship for undergraduates can be found here.

Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Program (MHIRT)

"The NIMHD Minority Health International Research Training Program (MHIRT) funds U.S. institutions to offer short-term research training opportunities in international settings to undergraduate and graduate students from health disparity backgrounds."

Program Location: Various Countries

Basic Qualifications:

A student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident associated with an accredited college or university and who has not yet received a terminal degree.
A student must be a member of a health disparity population underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical, or social sciences. This includes racial and ethnic minorities (African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders), individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals from rural areas.

Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) Summer Scholarship Program

"The Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) Summer Scholarship Program is an Ambassador program. A unique program especially designed for students who will be representing their state as well as the United States, acting as ambassadors to Taiwan. Upon returning to the United States, students will be expected to act as ambassadors of good will for both the United States and Taiwan whenever the opportunity presents itself."

Program Location: Taiwan (Republic of China)

Basic Qualifications:

U.S. citizen at the time of application
full-time undergraduate or graduate student at an institution of higher education in the United States
GPA at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale
good moral character, as judged by those who recommend you
All levels of Chinese (Mandarin) proficiency are acceptable; there is no requirement of prior language experience.

MEXT Scholarships (Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology)

"Monbukagakusho (MEXT), the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology offers four different scholarships for non-Japanese nationals wishing to study in Japan.

Program Location: Japan

Basic Qualifications: Vary based on program

Research Scholarship: This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend 18 or 24 months conducting independent research under a Japanese professor. Any field of study is eligible for the scholarship, but applicants must find a Japanese professor willing to supervise their research.
Specialized Training College Students: This scholarship offers applicants the opportunity to spend up to 3 years at a Japanese professional training school studying in one of several fields.

Fulbright Open Study/Research Awards

"Applicants for study/research awards design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries."

Program Location: Various Countries

Basic Qualifications: Vary by country, Begin by reviewing the program summary for the host country.