Aerial of Fundidora Park in Monterrey, Mexico in sunset with the cityscape in the background

Viva Travel Grant: Complimentary Flights to Mexico

Strengthening cross-border collaboration and innovation, Texas Global and Viva Aerobus are expanding opportunities for academic engagement between the United States and Mexico through complimentary flights to Mexico for eligible faculty and students. 

Texas Global is pleased to partner with Viva Aerobus to expand opportunities for academic engagement between UT Austin and Mexico. Thanks to Viva’s generous support, up to 100 complimentary round-trip flights are available in 2026 for eligible UT Austin faculty and students traveling for research or study between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Monterrey (MTY) or Mexico City-Felipe Ángeles (NLU). Additional destinations may be reached through connecting flights on Viva’s network.

This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthening cross‑border collaboration and innovation. We are deeply grateful to Viva Aerobus for investing in UT Austin’s global mission and helping Longhorns pursue meaningful work in Mexico.

Eligibility

  • Travelers must be UT Austin faculty or degree-seeking students with an active UT EID.
  • Tickets will be awarded following a careful review process to ensure strong alignment with academic, research, and programmatic goals.
  • Each individual may use only one round-trip ticket. Any connecting flight counts as a separate ticket.
  • Travel must support the following:
    • Students: verified participation in an approved education abroad program, internship, or independent study and research.
    • Faculty: verified participation in academic activities such as presenting at a conference or symposium (attendance alone does not qualify); meeting with teaching or research partners; serving as an invited lecturer, guest speaker, panelist, or invited professor in University programs or academic events abroad; delivering seminars, master classes, workshops, or short courses; or participating in other invited scholarly or professional engagements.
    • Eligible activities also include visiting scholar or visiting researcher residencies, collaborative fieldwork, lab-based or archival research, and advancing joint research projects or co-authored publications with international partners.
  • Priority will be given to graduate students and to students participating in exchange programs with partner institutions.   

All ticket requests must be received at least 10 business days before departure. 

How to Apply

  1. Search for flights on VivaAerobus.com departing from Austin (AUS) to either Monterrey International Airport (MTY) or Mexico City–Felipe Ángeles International Airport (NLU).
    • Additional destinations are available via connections.
    • If your itinerary includes connecting flights, include all details in your request. Each segment counts as a separate ticket, and quantities are limited.
  2. Complete the Viva Travel Grant Ticket Request, including all flight numbers, dates, and times exactly as they appear in the Viva Aeorbus booking website.

Texas Global reviews requests on a rolling basis with attention to eligibility, timing, and availability. If your request is approved, Viva will email your tickets directly. If not approved, Texas Global will notify you.

Ticket Issuance

  • Confirmation Time: Most requests are processed within 5 business days.
  • E-ticket Delivery: If approved, your e-tickets will be sent to the email address provided in your application.
  • Itinerary Changes: You may request changes to your itinerary up to 2 business days before departure; exceptions within 4 hours for emergencies may be made by contacting Viva directly.
  • Flight Disruptions: If your flight is delayed, changed, or canceled, Viva will notify you via your registered email or phone number.
  • Baggage policies: All baggage allowances, rules, and fees are determined and managed by Viva.

Additional Notes

  • Faculty and students may add personal travel after the funded segment at their own cost; all UT Austin travel compliance requirements still apply.
  • Connecting flights count as separate tickets under UT Austin’s allocation. Because ticket quantities are limited, segments requiring connections may have reduced availability.

Travel Safety and Policies

As outlined in the University of Texas at Austin International Travel Process, all University of Texas international travelers (not participating in approved Education Abroad programs) must register their trips in the UT Austin International Travel Registry (ITR).

Before traveling to Mexico, please review Global Risk and Safety resources to ensure you are informed, prepared, and in full compliance with University travel policies.

Contact Us

Please email MexicoGateway@austin.utexas.edu with any questions.