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Global Skills Opportunity Program

General Description:  

The Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program seeks to provide Canadian post-secondary students with international study/work experiences to develop the skills and training needed to participate in a changing labour market. The GSO is designed to widen access and increase equity in outbound student mobility and international learning opportunities. The GSO program is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and coordinated by Universities Canada. At McGill, the GSO program is administered by McGill Abroad. The GSO program aims to provide funding to equity deserving groups, including members of 2SLGBTQIA+ and racialized communities, Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and low-income students.    

International activities eligible for funding include: 

  • Field Study Courses and Semesters 

  • Internships and research opportunities – unpaid or insufficiently paid 

  • Research Abroad 

  • Academic Exchanges

  • Independent Study Away

There is a minimum duration of one week (excluding travel time). All students that meet the eligibility requirements below can apply for funding up to $5,000. Students belonging to the GSO target student groups i.e. Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and low-income students can apply for funding of (up to) $10,000.  

Applications for the Global Skills Opportunity program are now closed. Other funding opportunities for McGill students going abroad are available here. 

Eligibility

To be considered for GSO funding, you must:

  • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

  • be an undergraduate student in satisfactory academic standing.

  • Be 18 years of age or older.

  • Have documentation that your international activity will be academically recognized by McGill (e.g. a nomination letter for exchange, a letter of support stating eventual CCR recognition).

  • Have proof of successful completion of the international learning activity for after-the –fact verification, either credits on your transcript or an entry on your co-curricular record.

Selection Criteria

While this program is open to all students who meet the above requirements, the purpose of the program is to support students who are underrepresented in international learning experiences, particularly Indigenous students, students with disabilities, and low-income students. Therefore, selection will prioritize students belonging to these groups, and applications will be assessed through both needs- and character-based criteria. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their international learning experience will impact their education and development, as well as the barriers that they are facing. All applicants must plan to return from their international learning experience by March 1, 2025.

When to apply and Decision times

Applications for the GSO are now closed.

Students should apply as early as possible and expect a 2 to 3 week processing time. Final assessment will take place when all supporting documents are received. You will be contacted by McGill Abroad by email if further information is required.

Should you need accommodations or support to complete the application, please contact mcgillabroad [at] mcgill.ca.

Requirements

Selected students will receive more details about the requirements of the GSO program after selection. Students are required to complete the following :

Before leaving...

  • Complete the McGill Abroad Predeparture Orientation: Pre-Departure Orientation is a mandatory course offered online via MyCourses that covers practical information related to pre-departure preparations, your time abroad, and your return to McGill.   

  • Attend the McGill GSO Predeparture Training Session: Students participating in the GSO program will also attend an in-person predeparture training session.

  • Submit the GSO Predeparture form: Students participating in the GSO are also required to submit the GSO Predeparture form to Universities Canada through the GSO Hub portal.  

And upon return... 

  • Submit a brief McGill Post-experience Report. 

  • Submit a GSO Post-experience report: Student participants are required to complete a post-experience report through Universities Canada’s online portal. This report must be completed within four weeks of completing their experience. Students will also be required to participate in program evaluations by Universities Canada, which may include surveys, interviews and case studies, among other activities. 

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