We’re thrilled to share the institutions selected for our 2026 Catalyst Grants! These grants represent CEA CAPA and CIS Abroad’s commitment to supporting education abroad professionals with the tools, strategies, and clarity they need to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.  

This year, we’re investing over $50,000 in 10 incredible partner institutions to help their teams strategize, reflect, and collaborate - without adding more to their already overflowing to-do lists. 

We are proud to share that the 2026 Catalyst Grant recipients are: 

• North Carolina A&T University 

• Michigan State University 

• California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo 

• College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University 

• Washington State University – Pullman 

• The Ohio State University 

• University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa 

• University of Illinois – Chicago 

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville 

• University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill 

Each grant, valued at $5,000, includes a 1.5-day on-campus experience led by members of our organization’s consultancy team. Together, we’ll dive into topics like effective teamwork, psychological safety, data-informed decision-making, and mapping the student journey. Think of it as a strategic retreat - minus the awkward trust falls. These sessions are designed to be high-impact, low-stress, and yes, even fun! 

We can’t wait to collaborate with these outstanding institutions in 2026. Thank you to everyone who applied and continues to champion international education. For more information on this exciting initiative, learn more at https://cisabroad.com/catalyst-grants