For B.C. Grade 8-12 school groups and B.C. K-12 teachers

British Columbia’s Ministry of Education is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the B.C. Student and Teacher Exchange and Mobility Awards. The Awards promote the development of intercultural skills and knowledge for B.C. students, and the strengthening of relationships with foreign partners (e.g., sister schools). Eligible activities take place between August 1, 2018 – July 31, 2019.

BCCIE administers the awards on behalf of the Ministry. BCCIE will be receiving award applications and distributing awards to successful applicants.

For the 2018-19 administration, additional countries of eligibility have been added. Please see the Eligible Countries description below.

The deadline for applications is December 17, 2018.

Student Awards

This award is open to student groups of 5 or more students in grades 8-12 from a B.C. public or independent school. Mobility activities should involve relationship building/strengthening with foreign partners (e.g., sister schools) and the development of intercultural knowledge and skills for B.C. students. Reciprocal exchanges are also encouraged.

Exchange and mobility activities must involve school-organized activities to one of the following destination countries:

Eligible Destination Countries
a) Reciprocal Exchanges	Reciprocal exchanges are activities where B.C. students visit partner institutions (e.g. sister schools)/partner jurisdictions (e.g. sister cities) and students from those institutions/jurisdictions visit B.C. Reciprocal activities should take place within the same school year.
b) MOU Partners	China, Colombia, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, The Netherlands
c) Other (see definition for clarification)	Definition: Countries that are not traditionally strong sources of international students studying in B.C., or countries in which school-to-school relationships are less common. See the Ministry of Education website for additional details.

Public school applicants must have the support of their school, and the support of their school district. Applications must be submitted by the school district Head of International Program. Independent school applicants must have the support of their independent school. Applications can be submitted by the activity leader or school principal.

Award value: $5,000–$15,000

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Teacher Awards

Eligibility:
This award is open to B.C.-certified teachers with a permanent position or continuing contract at a B.C. public or independent school. Mobility activities must involve partnership building to facilitate increased student exchange opportunities, and/or professional development.

Exchange and mobility activities must be to one of the following destination countries:

Eligible Destination Countries
a) MOU Partners	China, Italy, Japan, Spain
b) Recent MOU-Signing Partner	Colombia, France, The Netherlands
c) Other (see definition for clarification)	Definition: Countries that are not traditionally strong sources of international students studying in B.C., or countries in which school-to-school relationships are less common. See the Ministry of Education website for additional details.

Each public school and independent school may submit one teacher award application. Public school applicants must have the support of their school, and the support of their school district. Applications must be submitted by the school district Head of International Program. Independent school applicants must have the support of their independent school. Applications can be submitted by the teacher or school principal.

Award value: $5,000