The Bridge Year Fellowship awards 2 sophomores a chance to take a year away from UNC to engage in international service before returning in Fall 2027 as a junior. Fellows receive an $8,000 stipend, travel insurance, vaccine coverage, mentorship and guidance, a community of fellow gappers, and so much more!
Selected Fellows will be required to participate in a week-long Summer Institute in July. Fellows will also be encouraged to attend the Re-Entry Retreat with the Global Gap Year Fellows in the Fall upon their return.
FAQs
Imagine immersing yourself in a new culture, contributing to meaningful projects, and gaining skills that textbooks can’t teach. A Bridge Year is more than an adventure—it’s a chance to learn resilience, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication while making a difference. By the time you return to UNC, you’ll have a wealth of experiences that redefine your college journey.
Students must be current sophomores in good academic standing at UNC to apply. Successful applicants will demonstrate maturity, flexibility, a strong desire to explore new cultures, and a commitment to public service. Previous travel experience is not required.
Students who may be traditionally underrepresented in global engagement are encouraged to apply. This includes (but is not limited to) students of color, first-generation students, students with disabilities, students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, and students from rural locations.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Bridge Year Fellowship open September 23rd. The application is completed online. Applicants are encouraged to prepare their answers in a separate document, not directly in the Qualtrics form.
Bridge Year Timeline
Dates subject to change.
- September 23, 2026: Application opens. Access the application via the website or the Linktree on the Global Gap Year Fellowship Instagram.
- September 30, 2026: Info Session at the Campus Y Rm 207 and on Zoom from 5:00 -6:00 PM.
- October 8, 2026: Bridge Year Application Drop-in Office Hours In Campus Y Rm 207 and on Zoom from 4:00 – 5:00 PM.
- October 25, 2026: Deadline to submit your online application 11:59 PM.
- November 2026: Finalists are notified and participate in an interview round.
- November-December 2026: Bridge Year Fellows are chosen.
- July 12th-19th, 2027: Bridge year fellows attend Summer Institute at UNC with the Global Gap Year cohort to learn about global engagement and plan their year before embarking on their adventure abroad!
- 2027-2028 Bridge year! At least 6 months of service abroad.
- August 2027: Return to UNC for your junior year and attend a Re-entry retreat with the Global Gap Year cohort.
If you have any questions or concerns about the timeline, please email unccampusyglobal@gmail.com.
Visit us on Instagram @uncglobalgap.
