FAQs for UMAP Members
QUESTIONS
ANSWERS
How does an institution join UMAP?
Follow procedures outlined in this link to Join UMAP.
What are the advantages of becoming a UMAP member?
UMAP offers a diverse range of study abroad programs designed to meet the evolving needs of students worldwide. By fostering mutual confidence and accountability across our vast network, the UMAP Credit Transfer Scheme (UCTS) ensures students earn seamless academic credit while participating in high-quality international experiences.
As an open organization, UMAP connects governments, educational consortia and individual institutions on a single platform. This collaborative ecosystem provides opportunities that far exceed the scope of traditional bilateral agreements, offering unparalleled access to the rich cultures, histories and academic prospects of the Asia-Pacific region.
There are also scholarships offered by Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) and from 2022 through 2025, Global Affairs Canada.
Can a member university immediately send outbound students if they have already signed the Pledge of Agreement?
To participate in Program A (semester-long exchanges), institutions must first submit a program offering via the USCO system during the “Call for Proposals” window. Notifications for these periods are posted on our News page and sent via email. Only institutions providing a Program A/B offering are eligible to send outbound students during that cycle. Program C (short-term) nominations remain open year-round.
How does a UMAP member apply to offer a program?
When the “Call for Proposals” is open, institutions are able to submit their programs through USCO System. Institutional Coordinators need to log in the system and fill out necessary items in the online template and submit for review by clicking “Save and Submit”.
Does UMAP provide scholarships for student or staff exchanges?
UMAP offers various funding opportunities to support international mobility:
- Student Scholarships: Available for participants traveling to and from specific member countries. Visit our [Scholarships Page] for current details.
- Research & Staff Mobility: The UMAP Research Net (URN) provides grants for joint research projects, alongside support for staff mobility experiences.
- Government & Bilateral Funding: Many member governments provide national funding for UMAP programs. Additionally, institutions may establish bilateral agreements to cover scholarship maintenance, healthcare, and other costs.
How do you apply for Research Net?
A call for proposals will be made every two years. Interested applicants may submit proposals as outlined in the Call. Only proposals from groups of 2 or more researchers from UMAP institutions in different countries/ territories will be considered. Selected group(s) will be provided with research funds from UMAP and will be announced on the UMAP website.
What are the requirements for sending exchange students?
To send students abroad through UMAP, your institution must meet the following criteria:
- Member Status: Ensure your country/territory is a Full Member via a National Secretariat.
- Legal: Complete and sign the UMAP Pledge of Agreement.
- Reciprocity: To be eligible for outbound Program A & B exchanges, you must list your own institution’s offerings in the USCO System during the active cycle.
How many students can we send each semester?
In accordance with Article 2 of the Pledge of Agreement, the following rules apply to student exchange numbers:
- Program A (Multilateral): Institutions may typically send and receive up to two students per semester. However, if your institution hosts more than two inbound students in a single cycle, you will earn additional outbound “allocations” for use in future semesters.
- Program B (Bilateral): To exchange more than two students, you may use Program B. Under this program, tuition and conditions are negotiated directly between the two participating institutions. Please notify the UMAP International Secretariat (IS) once an agreement is reached.
- Academic Calendar: Quotas are calculated based on the UMAP Program Year, rather than an individual institution’s calendar. For example, a full UMAP year consists of the Fall cycle (Cycle 1) and the subsequent Spring cycle (Cycle 2).
If my institution had previously signed a contract with UMAP many years ago, is it necessary to renew the agreement if we want to participate again?
Changes to the UMAP International Secretariat do not void existing agreements. To verify your current standing, please reach out to the UMAP IS or your National Secretariat. We may occasionally request a resubmission of your signed Pledge for administrative purposes. If you would like to issue a renewed agreement, please contact us.
How long is the term of the membership?
There is no termination of membership unless the member decides to withdraw from UMAP.
Are there restrictions on the number of programs (Programs A, B, and C) that we can offer in each round of applications?
For Program C, there is no limit to the number of programs you may offer. For Programs A & B, it is up to you to determine whether to offer special programs for international students only and/or programs which are already offered to your regular students. We ask that you explain the proposed programs as part of the “Outline of Proposals”.
Are graduate students eligible to apply for UMAP programs?
Yes. As long as the graduate student continues to be enrolled at the home institution throughout the study period, s/he is eligible to apply for relevant programs. Please review program details to see which institution offers graduate studies.
Do institutions have to pay to participate in student exchange programs?
Depending on the policy of a country/territory’s National Secretariat, which pays the membership fee, institutions may be able to join without any additional payments. Please contact the NS of your country/ territory for more information.
When do we need to submit program offerings?
During each cycle, the UMAP IS sends reminders in the monthly newsletter of upcoming deadlines and events, including dates for timelines opening and closing. Please see the “Timelines” page for details.
After the agreement has been signed, what programs can we participate in?
You can participate in any and all UMAP programs as long as you follow the conditions stated in the Pledge of Agreement.
Is there a possibility that our student will not get admitted to his/her desired institution?
Because host institutions typically accept only two students per semester, placement can be competitive. If an institution receives more than two applications, they will select candidates based on their own criteria.
The USCO System is designed to mitigate this by allowing students to list up to three preferences. If a student is not accepted by their first choice, their application is automatically redirected to their next preference. We encourage students to consider a variety of institutions, as popular locations may fill up during the initial placement rounds.
Can a student postpone his/her exchange to the next cycle?
Postponement decisions must be made by the host institution. If they approve the postponement, then the postponement will be accepted. Note that you will still need to notify UMAP IS if there is a postponement.
How do we send students to Program B and how many students can we send?
Program B facilitates bilateral exchanges and instances where tuition fees may apply. This program is typically used in two scenarios:
Exceeding the Two-Student Quota: If an institution wishes to nominate more than two students for a single cycle, they may do so under a Program B offering. Acceptance is at the host institution’s discretion, and they will determine if additional students are accepted with a tuition waiver or on a tuition-paying basis.
Custom Bilateral Agreements: For direct exchanges, institutions coordinate directly to negotiate terms, including tuition fees and enrollment conditions. While UMAP facilitates the connection via the USCO System, the final agreement—including whether to waive tuition—rests with the host institution.