Global Innovation Fund (GIF)

Global Innovation Fund (GIF) is sponsored by University of Washington Office of Global Affairs (OGA). The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) seeds initiatives and programs that develop cross-college and cross-continent collaborations, enhancing the University of Washington's global reach.

UW Global Innovation Fund – UW Global UW Global Innovation Fund Applications are now open for the UW Global Innovation Fund (GIF) Research Awards. Proposals are due Monday, November 9, 2026, at 11:59pm. Managed by UW Global, the Global Innovation Fund supports faculty-led global engagement, collaboration, research, and learning across the University of Washington.

GIF is open to faculty in all schools, colleges, and units, supporting projects around the world as well as initiatives that engage global communities here in the United States. This year, GIF is accepting applications for the Global Research awards , which support research that launches new projects, strengthens international partnerships, and builds the foundation for future large-scale initiatives.

The UW Global Innovation Fund also offers a Global Learning award category (including study abroad and teaching & curriculum), which will open in January. While financial support is the mechanism, our goal is to act as a resource and catalyst for the work of our faculty. By providing seed funding for early-stage ideas and support for established collaborations, UW Global aims to: Lower barriers for faculty entering the global arena.

Facilitate reciprocity, ensuring we are not just exporting knowledge, but integrating global wisdom into our campus. Bridge disciplines, connecting researchers from different fields to address complex global challenges.

Application Window: September 17th, 2026 – November 9th, 2026 These awards support research that launches new projects, strengthens international partnerships, and builds the foundation for future large-scale initiatives. We do this through seed grants of up to $5,000, development grants of up to $15,000, and UW Global Partner Awards of up to $20,000.

Application Window: January 2027 – March 2027 (dates TBD) GIF supports global learning opportunities that expand perspectives and foster intercultural understanding. Funding is available for the development and improvement of study programs, curricular innovation, and collaborative online learning.

Apply to Study Abroad/Away Awards Apply to Teaching & Curriculum Awards For questions or guidance as you prepare your application, please contact the UW Global team at uwgif@uw. edu. There are many ways for a project to qualify as global.

Any project that conducts research abroad or collaborates with international colleagues in a sustained and meaningful way is global. But global projects can also be local. For example, if you have a project that involves international diasporas within the US, that fits our requirements.

The key for “glocal” projects is that the focus must be on communities with an international background. Additionally, projects that engage with questions of sovereignty of Indigenous Nations in the US are also eligible. How we define 'innovation' Innovation is not restricted to any one discipline or unit on campus, and can take many forms.

Innovation for one person might mean developing or implementing a new method to advance their field; for another, it might mean an interdisciplinary collaboration, or a unique way of incorporating their research into the classroom or through a community engagement project. Generally, projects that have the potential to be high-impact are considered innovative.

2026 UW Global Innovation Fund Awardees *This list can only be accessed by logging in with an eligible UW NetID, and connected through a VPN such as Husky OnNet , if off campus.