Applications close October 15, 2026.
APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIPWhat this is
The IVHQ Global Impact Scholarship is a volunteer abroad scholarship for students. We award US$1,500 toward an IVHQ volunteer program to one student, chosen on the strength of a short written answer.
The first round is open now. You do not need to have booked a trip, and you do not need to have heard of us before today. If you are a student who wants to make a difference abroad, you can enter.
How it works
Four steps.
- Read the instructions. One question, below.
- Write your answer. Between 250 and 500 words, in your own voice.
- Submit by October 15, 2026. Fill in the form and send it through.
- We announce the winner on November 1st, 2026. The winner is notified by email.
What you win
US$1,500 toward an IVHQ volunteer program in any of our 40+ countries. That covers a meaningful chunk of most placements, and for shorter programs it can cover the full cost.
You choose where you go and what you do, from sea turtle conservation to teaching to wildlife care. Want extra reassurance on cost? Read about our zero risk booking.
Who can enter
- Currently enrolled college or university students
- Aged 18 or older
- One entry per person
No purchase necessary. You do not need to have applied to a program or booked a trip to enter.
The question
Answer this in 250 to 500 words:
Why do you want to make an impact abroad?
Tell us what draws you to volunteering overseas, what you hope to contribute, and what you hope to take from the experience.
By applying, you agree that your application response may be used for marketing purposes, with your first name, last initial, and country.
How winners are chosen
Every entry is read and scored by a panel from the IVHQ team. We are looking for the answer that feels the most genuine, the most thoughtful, and the most you. The strongest entries are honest, specific, and show you have really thought about why this matters.
Why we created this
We have placed more than 160,000 volunteers since 2007, and the one thing that stops a lot of students from going is cost. This scholarship is a small way to change that for a few people each year, and to back students who want to do something that matters. That is the whole reason it exists.
READ THE FOUNDER'S STORYWhy volunteer with IVHQ?
- 👥160,000+ volunteers placed since 2007
- ⭐4.9+ stars on Trustpilot
- 🌍40+ countries to choose from
- 🏆Named Top Volunteer Abroad Provider by Go Overseas, six years running
FAQs
Any currently enrolled college or university student aged 18 or older can enter. You do not need to have applied to a program or booked a trip.
No. The scholarship is open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria, whether or not you have looked at an IVHQ program before.
Our team reads and scores every entry. We are looking for the answer that feels the most genuine, thoughtful, and specific. The strongest written answer wins.
It goes toward the cost of an IVHQ volunteer program. For most placements it covers a large share of the fee, and for shorter programs it can cover the full cost.
The winner is announced on November 1 and notified by email.
Between 250 and 500 words. Quality matters more than length.
Terms and Conditions
- Eligibility to enter. To be eligible to enter you must complete and submit the entry form in full by 11:59pm NZST on October 15, 2026. Entries received after that time will not be accepted. Incomplete entries, or entries missing required information, are not valid.
- Form of the award. The scholarship is a credit of US$1,500 toward the cost of completing an International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) volunteer program. It is not a cash prize and has no cash value. It cannot be redeemed, exchanged, or paid out as money.
- What it can be applied to. The award goes toward the cost of taking part in an IVHQ volunteer program. This includes the IVHQ Registration Fee, Program Fee, or Tours and Experiences available on the IVHQ website. It cannot be used for anything unrelated to an IVHQ program.
- It must be used. The award only has value when it is applied to a confirmed IVHQ volunteer program. If the winner does not book and confirm an eligible IVHQ program within 12 months of being notified, the award is forfeited. It is not held, banked, or paid out in any other form.
- How it is applied. The award is applied against the winner's IVHQ Registration Fee, Program Fee, or any Tours and Experiences available on the IVHQ website at the time of booking. The award cannot exceed US$1,500 in total and any unused balance after the program is completed is not paid out.
- Eligibility of the program. The award applies to any standard IVHQ volunteer program in our published destinations. The winner chooses the destination, project, and duration, subject to availability and standard program requirements.
- Non-transferable. The award is personal to the winner. It cannot be transferred, sold, or gifted to another person.
- Marketing and promotion. By entering this promotion, you agree that HQ Travel Group and its brands (International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ) may contact you and include you in future marketing. This means we may use your name, entry, photos, videos, comments, or any content you share as part of this promotion in our marketing and promotional material. This can include our websites, social media, email, ads, and printed material, across any platform and third party websites with no time limit or payment. You also agree to receive marketing messages from us. You can opt out at any time by clicking unsubscribe or contacting us.
