The Inclusive Excellence Travel Grant is designed to propel the academic and professional development of medical students, graduate students, residents, and fellows at the IU School of Medicine by providing funding for travel to conferences and professional development events—specifically experiences where learners can demonstrate their interest in and commitment to health equity, addressing health disparities and/or the success of those historically underrepresented in medicine. This grant not only enables recipients to present research and build professional networks but also encourages them to share the insights and knowledge gained with their affinity or interest groups, amplifying the impact on the entire IU School of Medicine community.
Submit your application
Application should be submitted at least 30 days before travel.
Eligibility
The Inclusive Excellence Travel Grant is open to all learners with focus on those whose backgrounds, experiences, or perspectives promote health equity and exemplify inclusive excellence.
To be eligible for the Inclusive Excellence Travel Grant, applicants must:
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Be a medical student, graduate student, resident, or fellow at the IU School of Medicine.
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complete travel and submit receipts by May 31.
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submit applications at least 30 days prior to the intended travel date.
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must be able to adequately demonstrate their interest in and commitment to health equity, addressing health disparities and/or the success of those historically underrepresented in medicine.
Application Information
Before applying, please gather the following information:
- Details about the professional development opportunity: Include the conference or event name, location, and dates.
- Estimated cost breakdown: Registration fees, travel costs (airfare, hotel, gas/mileage), and other related expenses.
- Updated curriculum vitae.
In the application, be prepared to describe:
- The professional development opportunity and its benefits: Explain how attending this event will contribute to your career and professional growth.
- Research focus (if applicable): Provide a brief overview of your research topic along with confirmation of your accepted abstract.
- Commitment to health equity: Demonstrate you interest in and commitment to health equity, addressing health disparities and/or the success of those historically underrepresented in medicine.
- Up to $500 is available for individuals presenting research at a professional conference.
- Up to $350 is available for individuals attending a professional conference without presenting.
- No individual may receive more than $500 in a single academic year.
In order for the reimbursement process to begin, awardees are required to submit their post travel report including travel documentation and receipts.
- For medical and graduate students, funds are deposited into the student’s account. Note: If a student has reached the maximum financial aid the grant must be applied to their loan principal. This will result in no cash reimbursement.
- For residents and fellows, funds are distributed via check or direct deposit.
Meeting the Growing Demand
Expanding support for learner professional development
While we are committed to supporting as many learner opportunities as possible, the demand for funding often exceeds our annual capacity.
We receive numerous applications from passionate medical students, graduate students, residents, and fellows, each eager to seize opportunities that will advance their academic and professional growth. Although we would love to fund every professional development endeavor, limited resources mean that we cannot accommodate all requests.
The Center for Inclusive Excellence is focused on collecting information to better understand the interest levels and rising costs associated with these opportunities. By gathering information that demonstrates the high demand, we are advocating for expanded support and increased funding allocations, with the ultimate goal of providing more robust and inclusive opportunities for all learners at the IU School of Medicine.
Professional development in these areas is especially important as it directly contributes to creating a more equitable health care landscape and supports the development of leaders who are committed to addressing systemic challenges in medicine. By highlighting the high demand and showcasing the critical need for these opportunities, we are advocating for expanded support and increased funding allocations, with the ultimate goal of providing more robust and inclusive opportunities for all learners at the IU School of Medicine.