To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status as defined by the Government of Canada; 
• be enrolled full-time* in an SFU Bachelor's (undergraduate) degree program in any faculty in the term of eligibility; ** 
• be in good academic standing (a minimum 2.00 CGPA); 
• be 18 years of age or older by the program departure date, as required by the Global Skills Opportunities program; and
• self-identify as one of the following populations: low-income, student with disabilities, or Indigenous student.
• be accepted and enrolled in an eligible international learning opportunity in the term of eligibility. **

Applicants can only receive one Global Skills Opportunity Program funded award (EDI IMA or GLA) for a virtual program and one in-person (EDI IMA or GLA) international learning opportunity per lifetime.

Eligible International Learning Opportunities:  

• an SFU Formal Exchange Program or Field School (virtual or in-person), outside of Canada, administered through International Services for Students; 
• an International Co-operative Education term or an approved Work Integrated Learning Opportunity (virtual or in-person) administered by SFU Work Integrated Learning; 
• an academic credit-bearing study abroad program approved by the Senate Committee on International Activities, such as the International Teacher Education Program (ITEM); or 
• an SFU Virtual Global Learning activity in a credit bearing course at SFU.   

* Full-time enrollment means that students are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 9 units of standard graded courses at SFU in the term of award.

Students with disabilities are required to be enrolled in a minimum of 6 or more units of standard graded courses in the term of award and be registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) for a reduced course load. Verification from CAL will be required. Students enrolled in an international Co-op work term are considered to meet the full-time enrollment criteria.

** In the term that you are accepted/enrolled at SFU for your international learning opportunity 

Award selection is based on meeting eligibility, needs and character-based criteria, and the demonstration of a high desire to learn, rather than your academic standing. See the application site for full details. After the deadline, submitted applications will be reviewed anonymously by the EDI IMA Review Committee. If successful, conditional award nominations will be sent four to six weeks after the deadline for your approved/proposed term and international learning opportunity (ILO). You must still meet eligibility and selection requirements for your specific ILO.

The number of awards funded for each deadline period will depend on the applicant pool.

1. Create your profile for the EDI IMA with your SFU email address here. 
Please note this link will lead you to the SFU Study Abroad page, however is intended for all EDI IMA applicants. 

2. Click on the "Search Funding Options" tab

3. Search for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion International Mobility Award (EDI IMA) and click apply.

4. Review eligibility and selection criteria and begin application.

5. Complete your application and "Submit" before the deadline. (Saved applications will not be considered by the EDI IMA review committee after the deadline.)

Students will be notified of the status of their application 4-6 weeks following the application deadline. All recipient requirements are detailed in the EDI IMA application. Those who are conditionally nominated to receive award funding will receive all details and next steps, directly in an email.

Yes, there are many funding options through SFU Financial Aid and Awards that are available!

In addition to this award you may also consider applying for loans, bursaries, and scholarships for undergraduate students. Please apply by these application deadlines in the term of your international learning opportunity. 

For program specific funding please visit the following sites:

• Study Abroad Funding
  
• International Co-op Financial Assistance

Yes, the EDI IMA is a stand-alone award and is not connected to other SFU award funding. The EDI IMA is not included in the Suite of Study Abroad Awards or possible International Co-op awards. 

No, you do not need to be enrolled full-time to apply for the EDI IMA. However you must be enrolled full time, or have accommodations for a reduced course load with the Centre for Accessible Learning, in the term you are registered/approved for your international learning program (eg. exchange, field school, international co-op, etc.). Students enrolled in an international Co-op work term are considered to meet the full-time enrollment criteria.

Yes, a part-time international learning opportunity may be eligible, so long as you are enrolled in additional SFU courses to equate to full time studies in the term of eligibility (e.g. short-term exchange (6 SFU units) & part-time SFU course (3 SFU units) = 9 SFU units total). This definition of full-time is only applicable to the EDI IMA. Other study/work abroad awards at SFU, such as the general IMA may require that the international learning opportunity itself be a full-time program.

If you are registered with CAL for a reduced course load the part-time international learning opportunity would contribute to your total units for your reduced course load. 

You may only receive a maximum one EDI IMA for an in-person international learning opportunity per lifetime. Virtual programs are separate and you may apply for a separate EDI IMA for virtual ILOs. 

It depends. 

Two consecutive exchange terms at one institution, or international co-op work term is considered a long term program. However for two separate exchanges at two different institutions, you will only be considered for one of the exchange program terms, and award value will depend on the duration of your program length for a single program or ILO. 

Unfortunately, no. The EDI IMA is intended to fund students prior to their international learning abroad. There is a pre-departure survey that is required to be completed before you begin your international experience.