M. Duane and C. Ruth Nellis International Travel Award
About the Award
The M. Duane and C. Ruth Nellis International Travel Award was created by ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ’s 21st president, Duane Nellis, and his wife Ruthie in 2018. This award was created to improve access to study abroad opportunities by providing funds that could be used to defray the costs associated with international travel.
Program Eligibility
The M. Duane and C. Ruth Nellis International Travel Award can be used for participation on:
- OHIO-Credit International programs,
- OHIO Exchange programs,
- Affiliated Provider programs, and
- Other approved credit-bearing study abroad programs.
Preference will be given to international experiences lasting 2 weeks or more.
If you are unsure if your program qualifies for this award, please reach out to global.opportunities@ohio.edu.
Student Eligibility
Applicants for the M. Duane and C. Ruth Nellis International Travel Award must meet all the following criteria:
- Be enrolled at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ as a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student at any ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Campus
- Must be in good academic and conduct standing.
- Must qualify for the Office of Global Opportunities Need-Based
Preference for the award will be given to:
- First-Generation Students
- Students from Appalachia (A list of Appalachian counties can be found: .)
Additionally, preference is given to students who have not had previous study away experience (domestic or international programs) at the college level. Previous recipients of funding from the Office of Global Opportunities will only be considered if funds remain after all other applicants are considered.
Application Requirements
Read the requirements carefully to make sure you have the required information and materials before you proceed. Once you begin the common scholarship application, you will need to provide answers to all questions in one sitting to submit your application.
- Common Short Essay Prompts - All Applicants
- Tell us about yourself and your motivation to participate in a global experience.
- Consider: What should the scholarship committee know about you? Why did you select this particular opportunity (location, length, subject area, etc.)?
- Describe your prospective global experience and the impact it will have on you.
- Consider: What do you hope to gain from this experience? How will this experience fit into your future academic and professional plans?
- Tell us about yourself and your motivation to participate in a global experience.
Award Amounts
Awards are intended to defray the cost of travel associated with global opportunity programs. Award amounts may vary.
Total awards received from OHIO may not exceed combined program fee and estimated out of pocket costs (cost of attendance).
In order to receive an award, the student must be registered with the Office of Global Opportunities through the . The award will be directly applied to the student's OHIO account during the term in which the awardee is scheduled to travel.
Deadlines
- Winter Break 25-26, Spring Semester 2026, and Spring Break 2026 Programs:
- Wednesday, October 1, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
- Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and Academic Year 2026-2027 Programs
- Announced once application opens.
Note: It can take up to one month after the scholarship deadline for the scholarship committees to render their decisions.
How to Apply:
The M. Duane and C. Ruth Nellis International Travel Award is part of the Office of Global Opportunities Common Application for scholarships, which allows OHIO students to apply for multiple scholarships in one place.
If you have any questions, please reach out to global.opportunities@ohio.edu or attend a drop in advising session.