AY 2026-2027 Program Goals

The Global Engagement Institute (GEI) supports faculty seeking new ways to strengthen the international dimensions of their research, teaching and academic networks. This year’s program engages participants in the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), a consortium dedicated to collaborative research and scholarly exchange. UGPN members include NC State, the University of São Paulo, the University of Surrey and the University of Wollongong.

The GEI consists of monthly, campus-based workshops from November 2026 through April 2027. Participants will also receive travel funding to attend the UGPN research conference at the University of Wollongong in Australia (March 14-17, 2027). The UGPN conference theme is Harnessing AI for Human Health and Safety. Priority consideration will be given to faculty whose research interests align with new approaches to human health and societal well-being or innovations in global safety, security and sovereign capability. Additional details about the research theme are available on the UGPN Research Collaboration Fund web page.

The GEI’s multidisciplinary cohort enables participants to learn different approaches to internationalization while developing individual strategies that are both personally meaningful and institutionally aligned. Participants will:

• Identify the value propositions for international engagement within their academic career progression
• Analyze institutional frameworks for internationalization at college and university levels
• Develop personalized global engagement strategies for research, teaching and service
• Expand their international network of colleagues for future academic and research collaborations
• Participate in the 2027 UGPN research conference and workshop ideas for research collaboration funding focused on Harnessing AI for Human Health and Safety (Wollongong, March 2027)

Eligibility

Applications are due October 30, 2026 and accepted applicants will be notified by mid-November. This program is open to full-time, permanent NC State faculty in all tracks (lecturer, researcher, tenure track, clinical, professional, etc.).

• Applications must be submitted using NC State email accounts
• Participants must attend all on-campus workshops to be eligible for travel funding and participation in the March 2027 UGPN research conference in Wollongong
• Funds awarded must be used for travel to the March 2027 UGPN research conference. GEI participants will receive $5,000 to offset travel costs to Australia (cost share amount may be adjusted once conference hotel and detailed flight information becomes available)

Priority Consideration:

• Applicants whose research aligns with the 2027 UGPN conference theme: Harnessing AI for Human Health and Safety. Topics include new approaches to human health and societal well-being and innovations in global safety, security and sovereign capability. Faculty from all disciplines are welcome to apply and demonstrate how their work connects with the UGPN conference theme.
• Applicants who have not received other forms of OGE funding for the last two years.
• Early career faculty in the first five years of their academic appointments.

Timeline

Applications are due October 30, 2026 and accepted applicants will be notified by mid-November.

• Early December 2026 through April 2027: Monthly on-campus workshops for GEI cohort
• March 14-17, 2027: UGPN Research Conference hosted by the University of Wollongong in Australia

Contact

For questions, please email NC State Global.