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MD Program

Travel Awards

Dear UNC School of Medicine Medical Students,

Do you have research that you are planning to present outside UNC? Are you preparing for an upcoming conference?

The John B. Graham Student Medical Research Society is accepting applications for travel awards (~$500), generously funded by the UNC Medical Alumni Association. These awards are in the form of reimbursement for travel, conference registration fees, and lodging expenses.

The deadlines are January 15th and April 15th (by midnight, no exceptions).

Covid-19 update: Travel award distribution is based on university regulations and guidelines. There are no Covid related restrictions at this time.

Students who have not previously received a John B. Graham travel award and are current John B. Graham society members (this includes ALL students who have presented at UNC Student Research Day) are eligible to apply. Priority will be given to students applying for funding for an upcoming conference.

Please submit all documents as one PDF. Your application will need to include:

  • A filled-out application sheet
  • A copy of the accepted abstract (of which the student should be the first author)
  • A copy of the invitation to present or confirmation letter from the meeting
  • A letter of support from the student’s research preceptor describing the student’s role in the project and what funding support is available to the student for travel

Find out more about applying for travel awards.

    1. Travel Award Information
    2. Travel Award Application
    3. Student Non-Employee Travel Agreement
    4. Prior Approval Travel Request Form

Submit your application here.

In the case that we cannot support your funding application or you seek additional funding, please consider these other funding opportunities below.

The John B. Graham Student Medical Student Research Travel Award was established to support University of North Carolina medical students who are invited to present research at regional, national, or international scientific meetings. Travel awards are funded by the UNC Medical Alumni Association through its Loyalty Fund.

In providing this opportunity, the goals of the John B. Graham Student Research Society are the following: to promote student interest in clinical and basic science research, to recognize outstanding student achievement in medical research, and to encourage UNC medical students to present research beyond the confines of the UNC School of Medicine.

COVID-19 Update: There are currently no restrictions for JBG Travel Awards. If you are unsure about COVID-related travel restrictions and regulations, please contact the VPs of Research Opportunities.

There are a limited number of travel awards available for the academic year to cover expenses up to $500. Completed applications can be submitted year-round and will be reviewed by the Travel Award Selection Committee at quarterly meetings.

The travel award deadlines for consideration are: January 15th and April 15th. If the deadline happens to fall on a weekend or holiday, then the application is due on the next business day.

Application Information

Consideration for awards is based on the quality of original work to be presented, the potential for advancing the student’s career, and the need for funding. A student may receive only one travel award during his or her medical school career. Only current John B. Graham (JBG) members are eligible for travel awards. Students become members after presenting a research project at Student Research Day. Students may apply for funding for past travel to present research at a conference within the past calendar year, but preference will be given to students applying for funding for any upcoming conference. Applicants will be notified if they are approved for funding within three weeks after the deadline date. Current JBG board members are eligible for travel awards.

Funding is in the form of reimbursement for expenses, including travel, registration fees and housing up to $500. Applicants are asked to provide or estimate their expenses on their application. If you are approved for the award, original receipts are necessary for reimbursement. To receive reimbursement, applicants must also submit a one-page summary of their research meeting experience with an emphasis on their presentation. If you are applying for a previously attended conference, please provide documentation of your costs that were not reimbursed by other sources.

A complete application includes:

  • a copy of the accepted abstract (on which the student should be first author);
  • a copy of the invitation to present or confirmation letter from the meeting;
  • a letter of support from the student’s research preceptor describing the student’s role in the project and telling what, if any, funding support (i.e., grant or departmental award) is available to the student for travel.
    1. Travel Award Information
    2. Travel Award Application
    3. Student Non-Employee Travel Agreement
    4. Prior Approval Travel Request Form

Please submit your application here or any further questions to the current VPs of Research Opportunities.

While we make every effort to support John B. Graham members to share their research at conferences, we realize that we cannot fund every applicant or cover the entire cost of their travel expenses. Here are other funding opportunities we recommend.