Portland, Maine – September 30, 2026 -- The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) has opened applications for three fellowship programs aimed at first-generation and Pell-eligible college students seeking to study or intern abroad in 2027. CIEE awards more than $13 million annually in grants and scholarships for international study and internships.
Thirteen students head to Dublin for an eight-week paid internship
The Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship Program, established in 2015 and sponsored by Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, the African American Irish Diaspora Network, and The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, sends 13 Pell-eligible students to Dublin each year. The program covers full funding, airfare, and a living stipend, and includes lectures and excursions tied to the historical friendship between Frederick Douglass and Daniel O'Connell. Applications close January 8, 2027.
Copenhagen internship pairs sustainability careers with cultural exchange
The Scan Design Foundation Environmental Sustainability Internship, launched in 2025, places 12 Pell-eligible students with Copenhagen companies focused on sustainable business practices for eight weeks. Participants also engage in networking and professional development while exploring Danish sustainability culture. Applications close November 20, 2026.
Berlin fellowship awards $10,000 to four students studying democracy and memory
Funded by a gift from Karen Collias, the Knowledge Without Borders: Democracy and Memory Fellowship launched in 2026 and provides four first-generation, Pell-eligible students with $10,000 each toward a CIEE study abroad term in Berlin. The fellowship includes coursework on German history and Berlin's political landscape, with a focus on civic leadership and social justice. Applications for the Spring 2027 cohort close November 1, 2026.
"We are committed to increasing access to all college students from all backgrounds, especially for first generation and underserved populations, to ensure that all students can experience and benefit from the powerful impact of studying abroad," said James P. Pellow, President and CEO of CIEE.
Patrick Moran, Senior Vice President for College Study Abroad at CIEE, said global internships help students build problem-solving, intercultural communication, and self-leadership skills valued by employers.