SHASS/MISTI Global Classroom
About the fund
The School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences has created the SHASS/MISTI Global Classroom, a new pool of funding to support IAP subjects abroad led by SHASS faculty or teaching staff.
Through an annual call for proposals, up to four projects will be selected to receive $25,000 each toward course implementation.
SHASS/MISTI Global Classrooms are 2- to 4-week experiences led by SHASS faculty or teaching staff that take place over IAP. They may take the form of a credit-bearing course; a student trip related to an on-campus, semester-long course; or a standalone non-credit-bearing student workshop. Subjects will take place over IAP 2026 with a minimum of 14 days on site and must include at least 10 undergraduate MIT students. Graduate students are welcome, but we recommend they take on a mentoring/TA role if appropriate.
While some Global Classrooms explore “grand challenges” such as climate change, sustainability and health, others focus on language, culture, history, and society. In all cases, the local context is critical to the learning experience.
Funds may be used to cover:
- travel costs for MIT students participating in the course
- local activities and meals
- classroom space rental
Applying
Faculty or teaching staff leads must meet with MISTI Country Managers/Directors to discuss their proposal.
For more information, download the call for proposals. To apply, download the application. Completed applications must be sent to misti@mit.edu.
If a country or Tribal Nation (including Native American and First Nations in the US or Canada) is not represented by a MISTI Country Manager, please reach out to misti@mit.edu for advice. We recommend arranging such meetings no later than April 15 to ensure sufficient planning time. The Section/Department Head must also provide an endorsement letter and indicate commitments of financial support from the unit as necessary.
The SHASS/MISTI Global Classroom application deadline is May 1, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the SHASS Education Advisory Committee, with acceptances issued by May 15. All programs must submit a report at the conclusion of the program, no later than February 28.
Eligibility critieria
SHASS faculty or teaching staff.
Important dates
Applications open Feb. 1, 2025. Proposals must be submitted to misti@mit.edu by May 1, 2025.
Guidelines
SHASS/MISTI GCs will:
- have an explicit pedagogical purpose
- be led by SHASS faculty or teaching staff
- take place in a location that is uniquely suited to the research, instruction and other activities to be conducted
- have a link to academic activities (but not necessarily be credit bearing) in SHASS
- have substantial MISTI involvement in the ideational and preparatory phases
- have a minimum duration of around 84 hours of fieldwork and/or instruction (the equivalent of 6 MIT units, around two weeks)
- budget for all student costs, including travel and housing, with documentation and approvals for supporting all costs not covered by this fund
- have links with in-country partners
- involve some cost-sharing with the faculty, home unit, the Institute, or local partners
- be a meaningful part of students’ overall academic trajectory at MIT/in SHASS
Support
The following MISTI support will be available to selected projects:
- Program promotion
- Administration of student applications
- Facilitation of student selection process
- Student required data collection
- Compliance with all MIT health and safety protocols
- Student health and safety training
- Staff point of contact for health and safety emergencies
Depending on faculty or teaching staff needs and staff capacity, MISTI may also advise or provide support in the following areas:
- Travel logistics (flights, housing, meals, visas)
- Fund transfers to students and financial aid processing
- Classroom space rental
- Pre-departure training and re-entry reflection
- Program assessment and student reporting
- Site visits and cultural excursions
- Connecting with local partners
- Fundraising opportunities
