By Marta Vallejo, Staff Writer
Xavier students interested in conducting research abroad can apply for the Winter-Cohen Family Brueggeman Fellows Program, which provides selected students a $5,000 travel grant to support international research and immersion.
Overseen by Xavier’s Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue, the program allows undergraduate and graduate students to develop independent research projects focused on issues outside the United States.
The program is highly competitive and open to students from a wide range of academic disciplines, challenging fellows to design and carry out research that integrates meaningful engagement with another country and culture.
Sophomores, juniors and graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants must maintain full-time student status through the completion of the fellowship in November. They must also have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA to be considered for the fellowship.
Throughout the academic year, fellows work closely with the Brueggeman Directors and their fellow participants to develop and refine their research questions, strengthen their study plans and prepare for their international experiences. This collaborative dialogue continues after their return, as fellows reflect on their findings and share them with the broader Xavier community.
Xavier’s Brueggeman Fellows program allows students to apply for a $5,000 travel grant to support research and education abroad.
To date, the center has supported more than 130 students in traveling to over 60 countries through the Brueggeman Fellows Program.
In January 2026, the program introduced a revised fellowship model designed to extend the learning experience across three distinct phases. Students begin the fellowship in January, undertake their international immersion experience during the summer and return in the fall to complete their research and reflect on their experiences abroad.
There are no predefined destination expectations to the Brueggeman Center’s commitment to dialogue and social transformation through this kind of research experience.
“We also take the safety of our students very seriously. Like the study abroad programs, we carefully monitor State Department destination-specific travel and risk information to determine if different countries or regions will be safe for students,” interim co-director of the program Dr. Anna Miller said.
The program is grounded in three core goals: research, immersion and self-confidence.
Research is where fellows develop deep knowledge of a topic of their choosing through a global perspective, conducting sustained independent research throughout the academic year.
Immersion is where each fellow designs and undertakes an international immersion experience that brings their research to life. From planning their journey to navigating an unfamiliar environment firsthand, fellows typically spend four to eight weeks in their host country.
“Don’t let cost be a barrier to your global experience. The grant helps make meaningful international learning experiences more accessible, allowing students to focus on their research, cultural immersion and personal growth,” Dr. Miller said.
Senior nursing major Izzy King highlighted her experience as a fellow in the program, describing her time developing meaningful connections in South Africa.
“One of the greatest highlights has been the relationships I have built and continued through online communication since returning home. It has been amazing to stay connected with the midwives and friends I met internationally. I regularly exchange voice messages with one of the midwives, Sister Karin,” King said.
She further highlighted how these relationships made a lasting impact on her.
“These relationships continue to shape my learning, challenge my perspective and support my curiosities, continued research and growth as an aspiring midwife. Knowing that I could return and be welcomed so warmly feels priceless. The fellowship has given me not only the opportunity to learn from another community, but also a lasting connection that I will carry with me throughout my career,” King said.
Applications for the 2026–2027 academic year are being accepted through Dec. 7, 2026.