From: Joseph Wong, Vice-President, International
Date: June 14, 2024
Re: Call for Proposals ⁠— International Student Experience Fund

The goal of the International Student Experience Fund (ISEF) is to foster a supportive environment on the University of Toronto’s campuses by funding initiatives that enhance the experience of the university’s international students, in alignment with The International Strategic Plan (2022 -2027).

Funding Streams

The ISEF supports two streams of activities: Seed ($5,000-$15,000 per year) and Impact ($15,000-$75,000 per year). This tiered system is intended to provide opportunities for projects that explore, implement and scale up promising practices at different stages of their development and implementation, and create a pathway for projects from their initial inception to their full potential.

Specific Areas of Need

Proposals that address the following specific areas of need are encouraged:

• Proactive communication of academic integrity support within the university (academic success, academic use of English programming, etc.)
• Supports for international students who do not reside on campus
• Tailored health services information for international students

Thematic Areas

All proposals should address one or more of the following themes:

Programs, Services, and Policies

Serving ALL students well through institutional and operational competence. Consideration of existing programs, policies, and practices from the lens of international students (1/3 of the university’s student population) at all points of the student journey, from pre-arrival to preparing for life after U of T.

Changing Mindset – Building inclusive community and fostering belonging

Shift from deficit mindset/approach (international students as a problem to solve) to one of global inclusion (international students as valuable members) among faculty, staff, and students.

Interactional Diversity – Required in a learning environment at a global university

Intergroup interaction across biographies (multilingual speakers/unilingual speakers of English, Canadian/international, interaction amongst communities from various regions of the world, etc.)

Listening to and encouraging the voices of international students

Identification and leveraging of existing forums and channels for dialogue. Addressing barriers to participation.

Eligibility

Submissions will be accepted from U of T faculty and staff with continuing appointments. The primary beneficiaries of the proposal must be U of T international undergraduate and/or graduate students. Projects must engage each of the U of T’s student, faculty, and staff communities. Note that while students cannot lead ISEF projects, their involvement in advisory roles is encouraged.  Projects must also include collaboration with other divisions, either from the start of the project, or as a means of expanding the project in its final year of funding.

Timeline 

The 2024-25 Call for Proposals is now available online. Applications for the two funding streams will be accepted as follows:

• Seed Grants ($5,000-$15,000 per year, max 2 years) accepted on a rolling basis.
• Impact Grants ($15,000-$75,000 per year, max 2 years) require the submission of an initial Letter of Intent by Tuesday, October 15, 2024.  Select candidates will be invited to submit full proposals by Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

Questions about ISEF can be directed to international@utoronto.ca.