The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has been selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive a prestigious American Passport Project grant, which will provide funding for 25 Pell-eligible students to obtain their first U.S. passport—removing a key barrier to studying abroad and opening the door to global engagement.
Now in its fifth year, the IIE American Passport Project supports institutions across the country in helping students take the first step toward international experiences. UTC is one of 45 institutions selected nationwide in the 2025 cohort.
The award is part of a broader IIE initiative aiming to grant passports to 10,000 U.S. students by the end of the decade.
UTC will use this opportunity to launch a comprehensive passport and global engagement initiative designed to empower first- and second-year Pell-eligible students to envision themselves as global citizens. Through strategic outreach, one-on-one peer advising and cohort-based workshops, the UTC Center for Global Education will guide students through the passport application process and introduce them to study abroad opportunities, international internships and globally focused scholarships.
“For many students, obtaining a passport is the first tangible step toward imagining themselves as part of the global community,” said Dr. Takeo Suzuki, executive director of the Center for Global Education. “By removing this barrier early in their academic careers, we not only open the door to transformative international experiences but also help students build confidence, cultural awareness and a global mindset that will serve them in any career path.”
UTC will announce the selection process to the campus community in mid-August, with applications due by the end of September. The 25 selected recipients will be recognized during the University’s International Education Week activities in November.
This initiative, Suzuki said, is part of UTC’s ongoing commitment to global learning. By targeting early-career, Pell-eligible students, the program aims to foster equitable access to international opportunities and ensure that all UTC students have the chance to broaden their academic and professional horizons.
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About IIE: The Institute of International Education (IIE) is the leader in designing and implementing international education strategies and program services. We work with governments, policymakers, educators, and employers across the globe to prepare students and professionals for the global workforce and equip them to solve the increasingly complex challenges facing our interconnected world. With support from donors, we also create initiatives that assist students, scholars, and artists whose lives and work are threatened; expand teaching and learning across cultures; and provide life-changing opportunities. A not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,600 higher education partners.
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