Scholarships and Travel Grants
Funding Your Documentary Outreach Experience
Taking part in Actuality Abroad’s Documentary Outreach offers a unique opportunity to combine filmmaking with travel, while documenting powerful stories of changemakers around the world. However, securing the funding for such an experience can feel daunting. Fortunately, many past participants have successfully reduced or fully covered the cost of their programs by applying for scholarships and grants specifically designed to support students, creatives, and global service projects.
This guide is designed to help you identify and apply for scholarships and grants that align with your Documentary Outreach journey. Whether you’re a student looking to enrich your education through study abroad, a budding filmmaker working on a documentary project, or someone passionate about making a social impact, there are funding opportunities tailored to your needs. Each scholarship and grant listed here has supported previous crew members, and many have been used to partially or completely fund their travels.
As you explore the list, consider how your work with Actuality Abroad fits the mission of each funding opportunity. These programs often prioritize applicants who demonstrate a commitment to meaningful, culturally immersive experiences, which aligns perfectly with the goals of Documentary Outreach. Planning ahead and investing time in carefully crafted applications can make a significant difference in your ability to participate in this transformative program.
By applying for these scholarships, many of our past crew members have been able to document compelling stories in countries like Guatemala, Morocco, and Vietnam. These funding options provide more than financial support—they open the door to life-changing experiences that blend storytelling, culture, and social impact. Below, you’ll find some of the most relevant scholarships and grants available to help make your Documentary Outreach dream a reality.
General Study Abroad Scholarships
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or DACA recipients enrolled as undergraduate students at U.S. institutions.
- Notes: Supports underrepresented students, including minorities and first-generation college students.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- Amount: Up to $5,000
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grants.
- Notes: Additional funding is available for students studying critical need languages.
Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens and international students enrolled at U.S. institutions studying abroad.
- Notes: Includes a Tortuga travel backpack along with the scholarship.
- Amount: £1,000
- Eligibility: Open to students studying at UK universities participating in the British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX).
Hostelling International USA Explore the World Travel Scholarship
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents between 18-30 years old, residing in a community where HI USA has a presence.
- Notes: Recipients must stay at a hostel and share their travel experiences on social media.
Creative and Experiential Education Scholarships
International Engagement Fund (Australia)
- Amount: $5,000 – $30,000
- Eligibility: Australian artists and creative workers.
- Notes: Supports international travel for professional development, collaboration, or creative projects.
Creative Victoria’s International Engagement Fund
- Eligibility: Australian artists and creatives based in Victoria.
- Notes: Supports international engagement and professional development. Must receive an invitation to apply.
The Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: $3,000
- Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students interested in international journalism.
- Notes: Supports aspiring foreign correspondents through scholarships and internships abroad.
Diversity and Minority-Focused Scholarships
The Rainbow Scholarship
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: LGBTQIA+ students from any nationality.
- Notes: Awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and studying abroad.
Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship
- Amount: $500
- Eligibility: Open to students of all nationalities, with a focus on underrepresented groups.
- Notes: For students committed to diversity in international education.
The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarship
- Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate and graduate students of ethnic minority backgrounds pursuing degrees in advertising, marketing, or public relations.
- Notes: Focused on African American, Native American, Hispanic, and Asian American students.
Specialty and Regional Scholarships
Boren Awards for International Study
- Amount: Up to $25,000
- Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad in regions critical to U.S. national security (e.g., Africa, Asia, the Middle East).
- Notes: Requires a commitment to work in federal government post-graduation.
- Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: U.S. undergraduate students studying in East or Southeast Asia.
- Notes: Prioritizes students with financial need who are committed to Asia-focused studies.
Nancy Petry Scholarship for Study Abroad
- Eligibility: Graduate students enrolled at U.S. universities.
- Notes: Provides financial support for graduate students studying abroad.
Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarships
- Eligibility: Graduate-level students from any nationality.
- Notes: Supports students studying in fields aligned with Rotary’s focus areas, including peace, education, and community development.
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
- Amount: Varies
- Eligibility: Undergraduate students at institutions with active Phi Kappa Phi chapters.
- Notes: Minimum GPA requirement of 3.75.
- Amount: Fully funded travel
- Eligibility: UK citizens
- Notes: Funds international research projects in a wide range of fields.
Volunteer and Service Scholarships
- Amount: $500 – $1,000
- Eligibility: Volunteers, interns, and students participating in international service projects.
- Notes: Requires applicants to demonstrate passion for service and global impact.
- Eligibility: Graduating seniors pursuing public service projects abroad or in the U.S.
- Notes: Provides financial support for service-based projects post-graduation.
John Bayliss Broadcast Foundation Scholarship
- Eligibility: U.S. students studying broadcast communications.
- Notes: Supports students pursuing a career in radio broadcasting.
These scholarships and grants represent a wide range of opportunities for securing funding for Actuality Abroad’s Documentary Outreach programs. From study abroad scholarships to creative grants and service project funding, these resources can help make your storytelling and travel goals a reality.