Simply understanding travel grants are the financial support provided by any entities to the related or specific candidates. A candidate may get district or global grant which may include funds for domestic or international travel: air, road or water transportation.
Travel Grants are non-repayable funds given by one party often by a government department, corporation, foundation or trust, to grant seekers. In order to receive a grant, providers usually ask for the submission of application also referred to as a proposal. Few related entities might also ask for an in-person interview or presentation of your proposal.
Many misunderstand that travel grants are only for students but it benefits any individual, group, or organization who intend to travel for various purposes- to attain academic and professional conference, seminar, meeting, events and any other programs that enhance the ability to grow in their related field. Travel grants are the biggest opportunities and a challenge for those candidates who wills to achieve success in their life. Candidates who wills to travel to a far-flung destination for a specific purpose or invites can apply for the grants with a detailed proposal as to why travel grants and travel is essential. You might feel application process for a travel grant is not easy and that is true as it is an investment on you by the grant provider. They would, of course, want to every see the full justification of why they should put money for you. In most cases, you’ll have to come up with a full justified proposal that outlines what you plan to do on your trip, as well as what you think you’ll gain or how can you contribute to your surroundings.
Before applying for the grants, make sure to do some research into the background of the organization you’re applying for, then cater your aims to mirror their mission and goals, to fall under selected candidates.
Where can we find travel grants?
Travel grants provided are not always the same it depends on the provider’s interest. Providers can be from:
- Universities/Colleges
- Foundations
- Research Centers
- Professional societies
- Conference/Seminar Providers
- Government/ Local Bodies
- Embassies and I/NGOs,
- Corporate, etc
Travel Grant providers have their own specific targets such as:
- Some provide travel grants to their members only, where one has to be a member in related organizations.
- Some provide travel grants for conferences, organizations, events where you don’t have to be a member but might need an invitation letter.
- Some are limited to specific countries focused for the upgrowth of the targeted countries where non-eligible countries are directly rejected.
- Some are focused on the students/researchers (junior/senior) who are available through universities for abroad studies, presenting at a conference or attending a conference or to study abroad.
- Some are focused on training, which is available through various government organizations, non-profit agencies, and private foundations. Travel grants for training are generally available to pay expenses such as transportation costs, housing costs, and food costs, but most do not include the cost of the training.
- Some are focused only on medical treatment for students, members or related personals of any universities or organizations. This treatment can be found through specialized organizations and hospital administrations. This type of grants usually covers transportation costs. It usually only cover the patient plus one helper. Sometimes it also covers the costs for a nurse, if medically necessary.
Road Map to Win a Travel Grant!
Some of the examples of travel grants providers are below:
IAMCR: The International Association for Media and Communication Research – IAMCR – is the preeminent worldwide professional organization in the field of media and communication research. Its members promote global inclusiveness and excellence within the best traditions of critical scholarship in the field. IAMCR aims to support and develop media and communication research throughout the world. It particularly encourages the participation of emerging scholars, women and those from economically disadvantaged regions.
Intl Study Associations: The ISA travel grants program has been created to provide junior scholars, senior graduate students, and scholars from low-income countries some assistance to enable them to attend conferences that would otherwise be out of reach for all but the better paid, senior faculty. Only ISA members may qualify for an ISA Annual Convention travel grant.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): It is the main funding body for engineering and physical sciences research in the UK. By investing in research and postgraduate training, it is building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientific and technological challenges facing the nation. Its portfolio covers a vast range of fields from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research it funds has an impact on all sectors. It provides a platform for future UK prosperity by contributing to a healthy, connected, resilient, productive nation.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds (BIF) is a public foundation – an independent, non-profit organization for the exclusive and direct promotion of basic research in biomedicine. It supports up-and-coming junior scientists whose research projects experimentally elucidate the basic phenomena of human life, and organize two International Titisee Conferences per year. BIF is convinced that great scientific ideas and developments need a stimulating context, freedom and sound financial fundament. At BIF, it does its best to provide all these for its fellows in BIF’s program.
The Ghar Parau Foundation (GPF) provides grant aid to assist British caving expeditions to all parts of the world. The fund focuses on those expeditions which include an element of innovative exploration or scientific study and has a close relationship with the British Cave Research Association (BCRA). GPF is particularly keen to encourage young cavers into expedition caving (as well as sport caving) to maintain an active caving community in years to come.
