Celebrating 25 Years of the Gilman Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program celebrates 25 years of equipping over 50,000 American students with the international experience and competitive edge needed to advance U.S. priorities and win in the global economy.
Established by the U.S. Congress and a program of the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Program provides merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students to pursue academic studies and internships abroad. These experiences open doors to new career opportunities and elevate voices that strengthen U.S. interests.
About the Gilman Program
Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has provided merit-based scholarships to 50,000 outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad in more than 170 countries.
These credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad equip Americans with international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to advancing U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.
The Gilman Program awarded its first scholarships, supporting American undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad.
The Gilman Program now provides funding to thousands of students each year for credit-bearing academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad.
Leading Destinations
Pioneering Institution Grants
As part of the Gilman Program’s 25th anniversary, ten U.S. colleges and universities were selected as recipients of the Pioneering Institution Grants. This grant recognizes institutional leadership in connecting study abroad with career readiness.
Each recipient institution received $10,000 to support initiatives that link international experiences with preparation for careers in forward‑looking fields critical to U.S. prosperity and advancement. Campus representatives also receive training and resources to support program development and student advising.
View Pioneering Institution Grant Recipients (PDF)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Kentucky
Bridging the Cybersecurity Gap: From Tactical Technicians to Global Logic-Builders
A new exchange with a South African partner will strengthen hands-on, globally focused cybersecurity training.
College of DuPage, Illinois
U.S. and Canadian Manufacturing: Past, Present, and Future
A U.S.–Canada study abroad program will introduce students to modern welding and manufacturing careers.
Georgia State University, Georgia
Global Experience, Domestic Impact: A Career-Integrated Study Abroad Workforce Initiative
Career-linked study abroad activities will connect students with global companies operating in Georgia’s advanced industries.
Michigan Technological University, Michigan
Critical Copper Connections
An expanded program in Wales and Cornwall will immerse students in careers related to the lifecycle of critical minerals.
Northern Arizona University, Arizona
NAU in Japan: A Pioneering Program in International Economics
A short-term experience in Japan will pair business and economics coursework with a virtual internship.
Roosevelt University, Illinois
Launching Roosevelt University’s Global Scholars Program
A new Global Scholars Program will combine study abroad with career readiness across four years of study.
Southeast Missouri State University, Missouri
Your Study Abroad, Upgraded: AI, Future-Proof Careers & Real-World Skills
A focus on artificial intelligence will help students build globally relevant, future-ready career skills.
The University of Alabama, Alabama
Building Global Engineers and Leaders: Alabama-Esslingen-Mercedes-Exchange
Added leadership and career programming will strengthen an established global engineering exchange.
The University of Tennessee–Chattanooga, Tennessee
STEM Global Career Pathways: Helping UTC STEM Students Turn Study Abroad into Career Success
Structured support will help STEM students translate study abroad experiences into employer-valued skills.
Wingate University, North Carolina
High-Impact Career Integration Pilot for Pell-Eligible Study Abroad Students in the Health Sciences
A one-year pilot will embed career preparation into health sciences study abroad experiences.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
