The Fulbright awards programs offers U.S. residents grants for study overseas, and these can be used to travel to Africa. There are three categories of Fulbright awards. The Fulbright Scholar Program gives grants to individuals who are either library professionals or faculty members in the U.S. The Fulbright Scholar Program provides funds for these individuals to teach in foreign university libraries and information science schools, or to conduct research abroad. The Fulbright Student Program awards U.S. students grants for study abroad to provide recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals the opportunity for international experience and personal development. The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program provides grants for qualified teachers and administrators at the K-12 or post-secondary level to take part in exchanges between the U.S. and other countries. These grants could be used for educational exchanges with an African country.
Based in Washington, D.C., the Council of American Overseas Research Centers offers grants to U.S. citizens for significant overseas research at the post-doctoral level. Eligible areas of study include social sciences, natural sciences and the humanities. Research must be conducted at the regional level in more than one African country. At least one of the countries studied must host an American overseas research center, which participates in the program.
Mission trips to Africa may be partly funded by small grants from missionary organizations or individual churches. For example, the United Church of Christ in the U.S. offers grants up to $500, as of September, 2010, for individuals traveling to Africa to carry out missionary work. These grants offest costs associated with a specific project, and preference in the application process is given to those who have not previously received such a grant.
