Global Health Ethics in Practice Awards

Global Health Ethics in Practice Awards are open to current and incoming University of Minnesota graduate students (master’s and doctorate) and professional students.

Preference will be given to students in health sciences schools; however, students outside the health sciences may be eligible if they can demonstrate their project is part of the broader social, cultural, political, economic, etc., determinants of health.

Awards are intended to support global travel expenses such as airfare, room and board, fieldwork supplies, conference registration, etc. 

Awards are NOT intended to be used as scholarships for study abroad courses. Students who are part of a group program or course must describe their individual goals or project. The Award may be allowable if the student proposes an independently-arranged academic internship or research project following the group experience.

Awards will be given to students who are engaging in global health experiences such as internships, applied practice, field experiences, and other hands-on global health work. Travel experiences must take place outside the U.S., relate to the student’s coursework or academic program, and be for a minimum of 1 week. 

Awards are intended to support global travel expenses such as airfare, room and board, fieldwork supplies, conference registration, etc. 

Global Health Ethics in Practice Awards are not intended to be used as scholarships for study abroad courses or other organized group programs. Students who are part of a group program or course must describe their individual goals or project. The Award may be allowable if the student proposes an independently-arranged academic internship or research project following the group experience, for example extending CGHSR courses for additional independent study.

Global experiences should be ethical and developed in true partnership with the community and/or organization that the student will be working with. Activities should demonstrate mutual benefit to the student and the host community.  

Examples of eligible activities: 

• Internship abroad
• Community-engaged work
• Approved clinical observerships
• Presenting at or attending global health-focused conferences 
• Existing practice-based programs, such as: 
  • School of Public Health Applied Practice
  • Master of Development Practice Summer Field Experience
  • Extending CGHSR courses for independent study

Examples of ineligible activities: 

• Medical missions
• Clinical practice for non-licensed students
• “Voluntourism” trips (i.e. primarily tourism-based travel with casual volunteer work, usually not based on long-term community relationships and questionable ethical guidelines)

Not sure if your activity is a good fit? Learn more about guidelines and good practices for global health activities: 

1. Brocher Declaration
2. Mini Medical School: Focus on Global Health
3. How to Evaluate an Organization or Provider: Checklist for Students

We recognize that for many students, it is difficult to fully develop a global experience without first knowing that there will be funding available to support it. Students are invited to submit tentative applications with proposed travel/project details first, and adjust the application with finalized details when available.

Global Health Ethics in Practice Awards are offered three times per year. Applications will open at least 6 weeks before the deadline.

• November 1 deadline – funds available January 24, 2025
• March 1 deadline – funds available June 12, 2025
• August 1 deadline – funds available September 7, 2025

Students may apply early and indicate the semester in which they plan to use their funds (i.e. apply by November for summer session, or apply by March for fall semester).

Grants must be awarded during the term in which the travel is taking place and the recipient must be enrolled in at least one tuition-bearing credit in order to receive the funding. This award is not considered a tuition benefit.

Awards are up to $2,000 per student. Applicants will submit a budget statement as part of their application.

Students are eligible to receive a Global Health Ethics in Practice Award no more than twice during their graduate program. There will be up to 5 awards per cycle.

Before travel: Recipients must complete the online Global Health & Travel Ethics materials before their activity. A link will be provided once notice of award has been sent. 

After travel: Recipients must submit a travel grant report within 60 days of their travel. The online travel grant report asks you to describe your activity, impact of your work, and your plans to build upon the experience with your future learning or practice. Projects are not required to be completed to submit the travel grant report.
 

Interested applicants should fill out the online application with their student information, details of their proposed global health practice activity and travel, budget statement, and answers to the two written questions below. Review the Request For Proposals for details

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Student information:

• Name, email, student ID number, UMN degree program, academic advisor
• Proposed project, location, and travel dates

Supporting Documents

• Project proposal: 
  • The project proposal should be a statement describing the practice experience, research, or internship that you propose to pursue. 
    You should substantiate your proposal with any academic or professional background relevant to conducting your project. This might include: prior language study, previous travel or study in the region, academic work or work experience, and any publications or presentations you have made. 
    If you are applying to participate in an experience (internship, applied practice, seminar, conference) that has a pre-arranged curriculum or itinerary, please indicate the name of the institution that will be the sponsor, the curriculum, and itinerary (if known). 
    If you are applying for research fieldwork, describe the background, study aims, and how the global travel fits into your broader research project. 
    (Maximum two-pages, single-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins. )
• Budget statement
• Unofficial transcript 
• Letter of support from advisor 
• Optional: Letter of support from global health partner institution

Written questions:

• Describe the activities you will conduct during your global practice experience, including how they relate to your UMN academic program / degree progress requirements. Please be as specific as possible. (200 words max.)
• Mutual benefit, bidirectionality, ethics, and sustainability are critical values in global health practice. Describe how your proposed project’s short-term or long-term goals will meet these values. (200 words max.)

Applications will be evaluated based on how thoroughly you answer the questions outlined above. 

*Students are responsible for reviewing US State Department advisory levels and following ITRAAC submission requirements, if applicable.