Student Initiated Programs: Research Abroad
Student-Initiated Programs
Student-Initiated Programs (SIPs) - Research Abroad allow KU students to earn resident KU credit for research conducted abroad for a summer/short term, semester, or academic year.
Students participating in a SIP - Research Abroad through Study Abroad & Global Engagement remain enrolled at KU during the term and receive KU resident credit charged at Resident Tuition Rates for the research coursework that they complete abroad. Continuous KU enrollment allows for access to state and federal financial aid as well as deferment of loan repayments. In addition, students on a SIP receive academic, cultural and safety information at the mandatory Study Abroad orientation and have contact (including 24-hour emergency assistance) with Study Abroad & Global Engagement while abroad. Students also receive emergency medical insurance and evacuation and repatriation coverage for the study period.
Application Procedures
Students pursuing a SIP - Research experience should meet with a study abroad program coordinator before beginning the KU application process. The program coordinator will explain the KU application process in greater detail, provide the student with SIP application directions and register the student in the SIP Research program.
Students will complete post-acceptance requirements for Study Abroad & Global Engagement and their host organization. Post-acceptance requirements include paperwork for international travel, submission of travel information, and participation in the Study Abroad & Global Engagement mandatory pre-departure orientation, which provides important academic, cultural, and safety information.
Students can conduct research in a wide variety of locations around the world; however, out of concern for student safety and well-being, KU does not sponsor study or research abroad in locations where a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4 has been issued. The classification level applied to each country can be accessed via the U.S. Department of State Website. Information on Level 3 or Level 4 regional designations within a country is available by reading the country-specific advisory. Exceptions to this policy will be considered by petition to the International Travel Review Committee (ITRC). For information on travel to high-risk locations see KU International Travel Policies.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Study abroad is achievable for students of all identities including our BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students with religious/non-religious viewpoints. Before selecting a program, consider how your identities may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Identity Abroad page and resources listed below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
Undergraduate or graduate students may participate in a SIP - Research experience as long as their academic department has approved their research course enrollment, they meet the minimum 2.50 GPA requirement and are in good academic standing at KU. As with other programs, students must complete at least one academic term at KU prior to participation.
Students will work with their KU program coordinator to develop a comprehensive budget for their research abroad experience that includes tuition and fees (as applicable), housing and meals, travel expenses, passport and visa fees, health insurance, a KU SIP fee and other costs associated with research abroad.
The KU SIP fee includes an administrative fee, access to federal and state financial aid, eligibility for study abroad scholarships, pre-departure orientation, 24-hour emergency contact services, access to the AlertTraveler safety app, and emergency medical insurance and evacuation and repatriation services. The KU SIP fee is billed through the KU Enroll & Pay system.
The KU SIP-Research fee is variable based on the duration of the international research experience.
KU students who qualify for federal financial aid in the form of loans, Pell Grant, and/or SEOG Grants or scholarships may apply the aid to the cost of a SIP-Research experience.
KU Study Abroad offers individualized financial aid planning and advising and limited KU Study Abroad supplemental scholarships for KU degree-seeking students. Additionally, there are scholarship opportunities through KU departments and others outside KU. For those students who qualify, there are also passport grants and airfare assistance. Read more about these opportunities and schedule a financial aid and scholarship advising appointment on the Costs and Funding page.
Passport and Student Visa information
Students who do not have a passport should view the processing times and apply for one immediately. Students with a passport should verify that it is an adult passport (valid for ten years), not a child's passport (valid for five years). Students with a child's passport should either apply for an adult passport or consult with the program coordinator about the expiration date.
KU Study Abroad & Global Engagement has a Passport Center where students can apply for a U.S. passport. Some countries require students to obtain student visas which can take several months to process, depending on the host country.
Students with any questions should contact Study Abroad & Global Engagement.