Information for Faculty
Faculty-Led Study Abroad Proposals
Faculty can submit proposals for study abroad programs at any time, provided that there is sufficient time to organize the program before departure. We strongly recommend that proposals are submitted with sufficient time to recruit students and help them apply to scholarships, such as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
All faculty-led SAPs offering credit must be coordinated through Education Abroad
Faculty can also schedule a Teams meeting with Education Abroad staff by following this link to our calendars. Please note that staff from Education Abroad office is not available for in-person meetings currently.
Via TRM
Applications are submitted through Via TRM using your UTRGV single sign on. Proposals will be approved on a rolling basis.
- Click on "Explore Programs"
- Either scroll down the alphabetical list or search for any of the keywords from the Program title: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposals 2026
Guidelines and Rules for Administering and Leading a Study Abroad Program at UTRGV
- More information can be found here: Study Abroad Program Guidelines - updated Apr 2025
For the safety of participants and the integrity of the academic experience, no individual is allowed to participate in a SAP, lectures, site visits, excursions, events, etc. that does not have an affiliation with the SAP. Affiliates to the SAP include, but are not limited to: faculty leaders, teaching assistants, student participants, program assistants, those assisting students with specialized needs, local guides, guest lecturers, etc. UTRGV affiliates, such as administrators, professors, or students may be granted special permission by Education Abroad to participate in some SAP elements on a case-by-case basis.
Faculty leaders will often encounter unforeseen challenges and opportunities during the SAP. It is important to notify Education Abroad of any challenges that arise. Small issues can quickly become big ones while delivering courses off-campus. Education Abroad supports the faculty leaders during the SAP and assist them in dealing with issues that require the resources or support of the main campus.
Faculty leaders may also encounter important opportunities to contribute to the student experience during the SAP. Faculty leaders are encouraged to communicate Education Abroad before adding any significant SAP elements to help ensure the continued safety and well-being of the students. The SAP budget may not be expanded during the execution of the SAP without prior permission from Education Abroad.
International Study Programs will consider requests for family members to accompany SAP faculty leaders as we understand that they can be an asset. However, ISP also retains the right to decline such requests if it is determined that having family members present will in any way interfere with or lessen the quality of the SAP and/or the student experience.
Faculty leaders who do take family members must abide by the following:
- The faculty leader’s primary responsibility must be the students at all times.
- During contact hours with students any activity or communication including family members must include the students.
- On student free days, faculty leaders must offer at least one activity that students can opt to join.
- During contact hours with students, at no time students will be left without a faculty leader.
- Family members must not in any way create a negative student experience.
Program Budget Management for UTRGV Sponsored Study Abroad Programs
Education Abroad is committed to creating educational opportunities abroad that enhance the student experience. Administering these SAPs in various locations around the world places some financial liability on Education Abroad. SAPs require coordination with multiple vendors to provide services for student participants such as housing, meals, transportation, or instruction. Cancellation of services for unforeseen events is rare but can happen and may leave Education Abroad with a financial responsibility that is not covered by student SAP fees. Each SAP budget will include a given percentage for contingencies. This policy for administering SAP budgets is designed to comply with the Texas Educational Code 54.504 governing incidental fees at Texas institutions of higher education.
Students that were charged all or a portion of the SAP fee but withdrew from the SAP before its deadline will be entitled to receive a refund according to the Study Abroad Refund Policy.