Last Updated on August 18, 2026 by Bethany Wilinski
So you want to spend your sabbatical abroad? That was certainly always my dream, and I ended up spending half of my yearlong sabbatical in Bordeaux, France. It was amazing, but also complicated! One of the biggest questions about taking a sabbatical abroad is how to fund it. For a variety of reasons, I was able to make mine work without additional funding (I had salary support from a grant, we dipped into some savings to fund travel during sabbatical, we rented our house for the same price we paid in rent in Bordeaux, etc.), but there are also great options for place-based fellowships that can support your sabbatical (or research leave) abroad.
In this article, I provide some overarching tips for planning a sabbatical abroad, and then I share information about funding opportunities I’m aware of and any insight I can provide into those particular opportunities.
Tips for Planning a Sabbatical Abroad
It’s almost never too early to start. Fellowships for international research leave/sabbatical often have a very long timeline, so you’ll want to start exploring options about 2 years prior to your intended sabbatical start date. For example, Fulbright Scholar Award applications are due in September for fellowships that begin the following August (at the earliest). You’ll need to sift through the options, design your project, get letters of support from your intended host institution, and get letters for recommendation before you hit the submit button. You’ll probably want to start preparing your application 6 months to a year prior to the submission deadline.
Be intentional about the project you propose. Before you decide on a fellowship or write your proposal, spend some time thinking about where you are right now and what you need from your sabbatical. Do you have the energy and bandwidth to launch a new project? Are you willing to teach while you’re away on sabbatical? How much do you need to rest during sabbatical? It can be tempting to just propose the most ideal and ambitious sabbatical project, but if it doesn’t align with your overarching goals for your sabbatical, you’ll probably end up stressed out and exhausted.
Think about your sabbatical ecosystem as you decide on location. Most of us have people in our lives who are affected by our sabbaticals, particularly when we have caregiving responsibilities. I recommend talking to your partner throughout the planning process to be sure that decisions you make about your sabbatical location align with their expectations. When you decide to involve your kids in the planning process will probably depend on how old they are. My kids were relatively young for my sabbatical, so I didn’t tell them we were moving to France until the plans were in place. How you approach this will depend on your kids’ ages and your family style, but it’s important to consider questions like: What about this location will likely work well for my family? What may be a challenge? Are there school/daycare options for the kids? Will my spouse be able to work (if applicable)? If not, what will they do during the sabbatical?
Think expansively about locations that could work for your sabbatical. If you don’t need funding for your sabbatical abroad, you can go anywhere you want (pending your ability to get a visa, or whatever formal permission you may need to live there for an extended period of time)! I encourage you to think really expansively at first about where in the world you might relocate for sabbatical. Of course, it may make the most sense to go somewhere that you have existing collaborations or a research agenda. However, you may find an opportunity in a new or different place that allows for a different type of experience on sabbatical. Although it can be overwhelming at times, it’s smart to try to be open about possibilities. This is particularly helpful if you’re applying to competitive fellowships that may not come through. It’s a good idea to have a plan B so you can pivot if need be.
Funding Options for a Sabbatical Abroad
Fulbright Scholar Program
This is probably the most well-know funding source for U.S. scholars. Fulbright is an exchange program that provides opportunities for U.S. citizens to teach and/or conduct research in another country for an extended time (usually 3 – 12 months).
There are many, many different awards, and you can go almost anywhere in the world on a Fulbright. If you’re interested in the Fulbright Scholar Program, I recommend listening to Episode 48 of Sabbatical 101 for tips on navigating Fulbright and preparing your application.
The Fulbright award catalog typically opens in February, and applications are due in September. Many awards require you to provide a letter of support from a host institution. All awards provide support for airfare and salary support (though may not equal your normal salary) and some provide support for dependents (airfare and education expenses). The Fulbright host country should help you get a VISA, but level of support is varied.
Fulbright offers lots of information on their website and frequent webinars you can attend to learn more. You can sign up to receive their newsletter here.
Institutes for Advanced Studies
Various institutes for advanced studies around the world provide residential fellowships for scholars. Each program is different in focus, application process, and logistics. You can learn more about programs based the countries listed below by following the links.
Berlin: https://www.wiko-
Amsterdam: https://nias.knaw.
France: https://www.fias-fp.
Jerusalem: https://iias.huji.
South Africa: https://www.stias.ac.
If you’re interested in this opportunity, you may want to listen to Sabbatical 101 Episode 37, where I talk to Elizabeth Canning about her upcoming sabbatical in Berlin at the Institute for Advanced study there.
EMBL Sabbatical Visitor Fellowships
Fellowship for scientists wishing to spend 3-6 months during sabbatical at one of EMBL’s six sites. In 2026, applications opened in late February, with a deadline of May 1st. Results announced in June, with a start of July – September 2026.
Learn more on the EMBL Sabbatical Fellowship website.
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
One to three month residency at the museum for scholars from around the world. Supports research directly related to the collections of the Staatliche Museen.
Applications due in December for following academic year. Learn more on the Staatliche Museen website.
Social Science Research Council
The Social Science Research Council has several fellowship programs, some of which are available to faculty. Learn more and explore on their Fellowship and Grants Administration page.
Peace Corps Response
This is not a traditional sabbatical funding option, but may be of interest. This program is for skilled professionals who want to participate in “short-term, high impact service opportunities.” Learn more on the Peace Corps Response website.
What if I can’t get funding?
These fellowships are extremely competitive, and there’s always a chance your application won’t be successful. If that is the case, you still have a few options. First, you can self-fund your sabbatical away. It’s nice, but not essential, to be attached to a university during your sabbatical. If you’re able to obtain a visa and figure out how to live in a new place, why not just move somewhere for a period of time? You can work on data analysis, writing, reading, etc., or you can just enjoy exploring your new home!
Another option is to find an institution that will host you for your sabbatical. This is what one of my colleagues did when he didn’t receive the Fulbright he applied for. You can listen to his story on Sabbatical 101, Episode 2. In short, David contacted a colleague he knew at the University of Bolonga, and arranged to be a visiting scholar there for a year. He lived in Florence with his family and commuted to Bolonga a few times a week to help teach a class. The university did not provide full funding, but they did give him a stipend and covered his in-country transportation costs.
A sabbatical abroad can be an amazing opportunity to create new collaborations, explore a new place, spend dedicated time in your research site, and so much more. If you’re looking for funding for your sabbatical abroad, it’s never too early to start. I hope this post will give you a place to start, and if you’ve received a fellowship for a sabbatical abroad, let me know about it so I can add it to this list!