For BC Grade 8-12 school groups and BC K-12 teachers

British Columbia’s Ministry of Education is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for the BC Student and Teacher Exchange and Mobility Awards. The Awards aim to foster the development of intercultural skills and global competencies, and to strengthen relationships with foreign partners. Eligible activities take place between August 1, 2019 – July 31, 2020.

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

For the 2019-20 administration, additional countries of eligibility have been added. Please see the eligibility description below.

The deadline for applications is October 4, 2019.

Student Awards

Eligibility:
Exchange and mobility activities must:

• be organized and sanctioned by a BC independent school, serving any range between Grade 8 and 12;
• have a minimum of five (5) BC students participating (there is no student maximum); and,
• have a minimum duration of one (1) week.

Eligible Destination Countries
a) Reciprocal Exchanges	Reciprocal exchanges are activities where BC students visit partner institutions (e.g. sister schools)/partner jurisdictions (e.g. sister cities) and students from those institutions/jurisdictions visit BC. Reciprocal activities should take place within the same school year. To qualify for this eligibility group, you must be able to provide details on the partner institution(s), the partnership history, and the prospective reciprocal exchange. Reciprocal exchange partners should have an MOU with BC.
b) MOU Partners	Click here to see a list of MOU partners
c) Other	Emerging or Priority Partners: Countries that are not traditionally strong sources of international students studying in BC, or countries in which school-to-school relationships are less common, but which can benefit BC through increased diversity or which have the potential for growth. Purpose: Engaging with these countries or organizations contributes to diversity for international education programs, fosters new relationships for BC independent schools, and increases opportunities for BC students to develop their intercultural skills and global competencies.

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–$25,000

See the Ministry of Education website for additional details.

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Teacher Awards

Eligibility:
This award is open to BC-certified teachers with a permanent position or continuing contract at a BC 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	Click here to see a list of MOU partners
b) Other	Emerging or Priority Partners: Countries that are not traditionally strong sources of international students studying in BC, or countries in which school-to-school relationships are less common, but which can benefit BC through increased diversity or which have the potential for growth. Purpose: Engaging with these countries contributes to diversity for international education programs, fosters new relationships for BC school districts and independent schools, and increases opportunities for BC students and teachers to develop their intercultural skills and global competencies.

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

See the Ministry of Education website for additional details.