Scholarships and Funding

The Penn State Global Sustainability Scholars program creates cohorts of students eager to take action to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in a global context. Each year, a new cohort of 10-15 Scholars will be selected who are planning to participate in approved Penn State education abroad programs. As Global Sustainability Scholars, these students commit to do the following:

• Deepen their sustainability knowledge before departure by engaging with the sustainability community at Penn State

• Build global sustainability skills and experience through education abroad, while minimizing the climate impact of their travel and other activities abroad

• Share their experience with the Penn State community

• Use what they have learned to about global sustainability to advance the UN SDGs on their campuses and in their communities

Awards

Embedded Program: $1,000

Summer Program (non-embedded): $1,500

Semester Program: $2,000

For more info and to apply, visit the program page on LionsABROAD!

• Launched in spring 2023

• Specific weekends where semester-long education abroad student participants pledge to remain in their host city and avoid hosting friends and family from other cities

• We encourage all students to consider using less carbon-intensive travel options during weekends and semester breaks

• We have been joined by 9 other Big Ten Academic Alliance Universities for the 2023-2024 school year under the name "Big Impact Small Footprint"

• Penn State students who take the Stay Local/Big Impact Small Footprint pledge will be entered to win $100 through a random drawing (multiple awards available)

• Educational opportunities and community engagement activities focusing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals are available to students who take the pledge

• Read about the Stay Local pledge initiative in Penn State News

• Are you an education abroad professional who wants to join the #staylocalabroad movement?  Contact educationabroad@psu.edu to learn more!

• Find more information on our dedicated Stay Local Abroad site

• Spring 2024 students, take the pledge!