The Vira I. Heinz (VIH) Program for Women in Global Leadership constitutes a collaborative relationship between the Heinz Endowments, which funds the Program and sets its strategic goals, and the University of Pittsburgh, which develops and administers the Program. The VIH Program affords to three young women from each of VIH institutions the opportunity to participate in a series of leadership and intercultural development retreats held at the University of Pittsburgh. It also provides each young woman with a scholarship of at least $5,000 to fund an accredited international experience. VIH awardees use the learnings from these experiences to work in a team and develop a Community Engagement Experience (CEE). This is not simply a study abroad scholarship. This is a two-year leadership development program.

The Heinz Endowments view the VIH Program as a means for women who have no previous international experience to develop leadership skills, to gain intercultural experience, to succeed abroad, and upon returning, to contribute as a leader in their community through their Community Engagement Experience (CEE). Neither the program nor the curriculum at the retreats is geared for women who have been abroad . The Heinz Endowments have a particular interest in developing VIH scholars who meet one (or more) of the following four indicators of diversity: GLBTQQ, disability, racial or ethnic minority, and financial need as defined by receiving a Pell Grant.

Women admitted to the VIH Program meet the following criteria:

  • Undergraduate woman of rising sophomore or junior status at one of the VIH institutions
  • The Heinz Endowments stipulate that women admitted to the VIH Program cannot have any international experience prior to the VIH funded international experience. The only exception of the Arcadia freshman "Preview Program.
  • U.S. citizen
  • Full time student status for at least two terms
  • Baccalaureate degree in progress
  • QPA of not less than 3.0
  • Will return to your university / college as a full time student at least the fall semester following the study abroad experience
  • Funded international experience must take place in one country (no multi-country experiences)
  • International experience must be accredited and last for at least 28 days
  • Be available to attend all activities during two mandatory weekend retreats: one during the spring term prior to studying abroad and one during the fall following the study abroad experience
  • Commit to meeting all requirements of the VIH Program, including, but not limited to: a) submitting an Experience Report; b) completing a CEE & submitting a CEE Report; c) completing all assignments for the two retreats; d) assisting with marketing the VIH Program on your campus.
  • Preference is given to women who fall within one of the four indicators of diversity as designated by the Heinz Endowments: race /ethnicity, GLBTQQ, disability, financial need. At least one of the three women admitted into the VIH Program at each of the VIH institutions must fall within one of the four indicators of diversity as designated by the Heinz Endowments: GLBTQQ, disability, racial or ethnic minority, and/or financial need as defined by receiving a Pell Grant.

Application deadline: November 1, at 4pm

Download a Vira I. Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership Application

Download an Affordable Study Abroad Program document

Go to the appropriate Participating Institutions page and read your university / college's campus-specific VIH application instructions

Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

Prior to submitting an application, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their campus coordinator to discuss their goals in the two-year VIH leadership development program. In the event that you are admitted into the VIH Program, you need to apply to the study abroad program at your home institution no later than the end of December

Once admitted into the VIH Program, students are not permitted to change their study abroad program unless the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning to the country or their program is cancelled