Together, We Lead
Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) and the McDonnell Scholars Academy are dedicated to fostering global engagement and international partnerships.
The McDonnell Scholars Academy at WashU exemplifies our commitment to global education.
Nurturing Global Leaders for a Better Tomorrow
For nearly 20 years, the McDonnell Scholars Academy has a dual mission. First, we recruit top scholars from partner universities—the U.S. and international universities across the globe—and mentor them as they pursue graduate and professional degrees at Washington University, preparing them to become future global leaders. Second, we leverage the Academy’s global network to incubate new ideas and foster collaborative research across countries and disciplines.
The correlation between the McDonnell Academy and WashU’s strategic plan, Here and Next, underscores WashU’s dedication to nurturing people, community, and research, showcasing our focus on leadership and collaboration, all within the context of embracing the global landscape.
The McDonnell Academy recruits top scholars from universities worldwide and mentors them as they pursue graduate and professional degrees at WashU. Our goal is to prepare these scholars to become future global leaders.
Designed to enhance leadership capacity through mentorship, professional development, cultural experiences, and unique engagement opportunities, the McDonnell Academy welcomes applicants from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, the McDonnell Academy is a catalyst for collaborative research across countries and disciplines. Through its seed grant initiatives, in the last three years the McDonnell Academy launched more than 60 new research projects in 30 countries. Through its extensive international network, the McDonnell Academy incubates new ideas and fosters collaborative research across countries and disciplines.
FAST FACTS
Research Collaboration Opportunities
Washington University supports innovative international partnerships and research through key initiatives.
Global Incubator Seed Grants are supported by the McDonnell Scholars Academy and the Office of the Provost at Washington University.
- Funding for projects engaging international collaborators in medicine, public health, environmental research, and digital transformation.
- $1.3M in funding awarded to ~70 projects in 3 years, $12M in additional external funding brought in.
- Next call for applications in Summer 2024 will fund up to 20 new projects.
Reputation for Excellence and Opportunity
Reputation for Excellence
Graduate Student ExperienceA world of Opportunity
Washington University is a world-class research institution with our roots firmly in St. Louis
At WashU, we are an incredibly vibrant, diverse, and global community. Though we come from a variety of regions and backgrounds, we are united in our shared goal of solving critical societal challenges, in service of the St. Louis region, our nation and the world. We invite you to join our global community!
Inspiration, Education, Recreation
- Affordable metropolitan city in the Midwest
- Metropolitan population 2.8 million
- Home to free, world-class attractions
- Surrounded by green spaces
- Nearby Forest Park is bigger than Central Park in New York City
A Hub for Innovation
- Home base for major corporations
- Anheuser-Busch, Bayer, Boeing, Centene, Edward Jones, Emerson
- Startup ecosystem & Tech Triangle
- 425 companies in the Cortex Innovation District
- New facility for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA West)
- New Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Center (AMICSTL)
Keep up with all things WashU
Building a Global Network | We invite you to connect with the WashU international community. Engage with our team members, learn about our innovative programs, and explore how we can collaborate to make a global impact. Together, we can drive resilience, renewal, and community in international education.
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