Travel Grants for M4 Students
The GH Program at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine awards travel grants to fourth-year BU medical students who are approved for four-week GH electives. Travel grants are designed to partially defray the costs associated with GH electives (airfare, lodging, etc).
[ Related links: How to Set Up an GH Elective | Required Responsibilities for Students Undertaking GH Electives ]
Priorities for Awarding Travel Grants
Each travel grant is up to $2000 with the final amount awarded according to the program’s selection criteria (below) including the budget submitted by the student. The GH Program prioritizes travel grants for students traveling to low- or middle-income countries (LMIC). While students undertaking electives in high or upper-middle income countries (UMIC) are still welcome to apply for travel grants, awards for electives in these locations will likely be smaller than awards for electives in LMIC.
Because funds are limited, students are highly encouraged to seek other sources of funding to support their GH electives. See Funding for a list of possibilities.
Application Process
Before a student applies for a travel grant they must have their GH elective approved and added to their fourth-year schedule (see How to Set Up an GH Elective) . Travel grant applications are processed on a rolling basis with a funding determination sent to the student within 3 weeks of submission. To apply, submit the Travel Grant Application.
Once the grant is awarded, no further negotiation of terms can be expected, but the timing of the award is flexible. If plans change after the award is given the student must notify Ana Gregory. Funding is not guaranteed if changes to the original project are substantial.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee uses the following criteria when awarding the travel grants:
- Location of site with priority given to electives located in low- or middle-income countries (LMIC)
- Clarity of ideas expressed and level of detail given including how the experience supports the student’s academic and professional goals
- Extent to which the proposed experience meets the goals of the GH program
- Appropriateness and accuracy of proposed budget
When determining the level of support for each travel grant, the committee takes into consideration previous financial support awarded to the student such as funds received from the GH Summer Scholarship Program as well as support from outside sources (e.g., private organizations). This allows equitable awards for all students.
Restrictions
The School of Medicine GH Program will not give academic credit for, pay for, supervise, direct, or otherwise support a medical student in a country where a U.S. State Department Travel Warning is in effect. See Travel Warning Policy.
Travel Grant (Reimbursement)
Upon finishing the GH elective, students must complete the following steps for reimbursement within 30 days of the student’s return and no later than the Friday before graduation.
- Complete the GH Post-Experience Report at Global Health Post-Experience Summaries. Once you log into ‘Global Health Post-Experience Summaries,’ click “Click here to submit an experience” to submit your summary report.
- 1/7/2025: The Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health course is currently OFFLINE, so this requirement is temporarily suspended. Complete “Course 3: Reflection, the third of three courses of the Practitioner’s Guide to Global Health series. The series prepares students and trainees to safely and effectively participate in global health learning experiences. “Course 3: Reflection” helps you prepare to return including dealing with unexpected feelings and health issues. It also helps you plan for future work and sustainability. The course is free-of-charge and will generate a certificate upon completion that must be submitted as part of the reimbursement form (next step).
- Complete Student Reimbursement Form for Travel Grant to receive payment.
Other Opportunities
Students are encouraged to develop a presentation or poster (based on the GH experience) for consideration at the annual meeting of Consortium of Universities for Global Health held annually in the spring.