Salata Travel Grant Program

Qualifying Travel Purposes

Students traveling for the purpose of advancing their climate- or sustainability-related academic or professional development goals, including travel related to:  

• Student presentations at conferences, or other roles beyond participating as an attendee.  
• Field research related to a student’s thesis or capstone project. 
• Independent research projects supervised by a faculty member.

Applicant Qualifications 

• The applicant must be a Harvard University student.  
• Travel destination is not listed as a high-risk travel location by Harvard University. 
• Travel takes place during the Fall or Spring term, or during Winter inter-session.  
• Students must be able to make all travel arrangements on their own. 

Program Requirements  

• Funding is awarded on a reimbursement basis and must comply with the program Funding Restrictions. 
• Review and acknowledgement of Harvard University’s Travel Reimbursement Policies. 
• Submission to the Salata Institute of one blog post reflecting on the experience (1000 words max.), as well as 2-3 high-quality photos to accompany the text.  
• For international travelers: 
  • Review of Harvard International Travel & Reimbursement Guidance. 
  • Completion of all Global Support Services pre-departure requirements for international travel. 

Funding Criteria 

• Applicants should demonstrate an interest in and engagement with climate change and/or related environmental, social, or economic issues.  
• Applicants should make a strong argument for how their travel will needfully support their academic and professional goals. 
• Applicants should have the necessary academic or professional qualifications that support the purpose of their trip.

Climate Considerations

While travel can be important for academic pursuits and professional development, it has environmental impacts. Before applying for the Salata Institute’s Travel Grant Pilot Program, the Salata Institute encourages students to first consider whether their travel is necessary. If travel is required, applicants should consider how to minimize the environmental impacts. The Salata Institute will fund travel for which students make a compelling case. Find tips on minimizing travel impacts here.  

Application Requirements

Applications are being accepted for Spring 2024 travel grants (March – May). Please complete your application by Monday, February 19, 2024 (11:59 PM).

The Travel Grant Application comprises the following sections: 

1. Applicant Information: Identifying questions about the applicant.  

2. Travel Purpose: Questions about the intended purpose for travel, and subsequent details. 

3. Budget & Funding Request: An outline of your overall budget, disclosure of other funding sources, your funding request for this program, and other funding-related questions. 
4. Formal Proposal:  
   • Travel Proposal: A summary (500 words) of the event or project and how the applicant’s participation will advance the applicant’s academic or professional development goals. 
   • Environmental Impact Statement: A statement (200 words) about the ways in which the applicant would minimize the environmental impacts of travel. Find tips on minimizing travel impacts here.  
   • Supporting Documentation: 
     • Letter of support from a supervising faculty advisor. 
     • Copy of conference or event agenda.

Application Deadline: February 19, 2024 (11:59 PM)

Award decisions: Applicants will be notified of decisions within three weeks of the application deadline. 

Please contact oona_gaffney@harvard.edu with questions. 

Funding Restrictions 

• Funds will be awarded on a reimbursement basis only; students must be able to cover the upfront costs of transportation and lodging. 
• The Salata Institute will reimburse students only if they actually travel to their destination. 
• All expenses paid by credit card should be incurred by the applicant, not a family member or friend. 
• For foreign travel, exchange rates must be included in receipts and the amounts must be calculated into U.S. dollars. 
• Individual applicants must have a valid form of travel ID for the dates of travel. For international travel, students must have a valid U.S. passport or non-U.S. passport and visa, if required, and have secured all necessary documents for re-entry to the United States. Passports should remain valid for a minimum of 6 months after the return travel date. 
• Funding from this program may not be used for the following: group travel; travel conducted over the summer; travel to high-risk travel locations; for meals, per diems, or stipends; for travel packages that include hotel/airfare/car rental, unless each component of the expense can be identified; for transportation to or from locations other than the site of the project or conference.