Funding - Domestic

The Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs has a limited amount of funding available for students participating in winter term clinical programs within the United States in order to offset the cost of travel and housing. Funding is not guaranteed for students in independent or continuing clinicals. Students in clinical courses are guaranteed funding, though expenses may be funded in part or in whole. 

Travel grants are awarded in a selective process based on the merit of the project proposal and financial need of the student. Students should research project costs well in advance of applying and should be prepared to incur a portion of the clinical project expenses since funding resources are limited. If a project is contingent on funding, students should not make travel or work commitments until grant decisions are announced. Expenses submitted for funding consideration must be reasonable and necessary for the completion of the project. 

Students must apply for a domestic winter clinical travel grant. The application includes a financial waiver allowing the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs to access student financial records from Student Financial Services.

Eligibility

1. Student must participate in one of the following Winter Term clinicals: Independent Clinical, Continuing Clinical, Community Action, Death Penalty, Employment Civil Rights.
2. Placement must be outside the Greater Boston area.
3. Student must work the entire Winter Term at the location to which travel funding is provided.
4. Students working in their home region or who travel before winter break are ineligible for a travel grant.

Funding Guidelines

• Expenses submitted for funding consideration must be reasonable costs that are necessary for the completion of the clinical project and that arise as a direct result of the clinical.
• After funding decisions are announced, students receiving a travel grant must submit documentation of all expenses (e.g. airfare printout, train itinerary with cost, hostel rate, etc) before a grant check is provided.
• Students who spend less than anticipated will receive the lower amount.

Travel

• Air, train, or bus fares are eligible for funding.
• Fares can be one-way or round-trip, but must be economy-class fares.
• If travel will not originate in Boston, it should be because it is cheaper to travel from your origination city to your destination than it is to travel from Boston to your destination. If it is not cheaper than travelling from Boston, we will only fund a portion of the fare (equivalent to a fare to/from Boston).
• Taxis, shuttle services, and public transportation are not eligible for funding.
• If you are travelling to your home region or travelling before the winter break, you are ineligible for funding. Funding is meant to offset costs that you would otherwise not incur were it not for your clinical project.

Housing

We encourage students to contact family or friends in the area of the project destination to set up free accommodations. Other housing options to consider are through local universities, churches, hostels, or apartment rentals. Housing costs should be moderate, may not be fully funded, and will require a sublease agreement or similar documentation.

Other

Unfortunately, we have a limited budget to disperse to a high number of applicants and cannot cover additional winter term costs. Groceries, meals, public transportation, utilities, etc., are not eligible for funding. 

For clinical course students only, rental cars may be submitted for funding consideration if necessary for the project and public transportation is not available in the area. Clinical course students driving to their destination may also apply for gas to/from the project location (in lieu of air, train or bus fare) at a rate of $0.30/mile, up to $600.

Applying for Funding

Students should research project costs well in advance of applying. The funding application will ask for projected itemized expenses. If a grant is awarded, students will need to submit documentation of expenses (e.g. airfare printout, train itinerary with cost, rental lease, etc) to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs prior to receiving a grant check. If a student does not pursue or complete the project, then he/she is responsible for notifying our office and returning any funding received.

• If applying for an Independent or Continuing Clinical: Attach the completed funding application to your Independent or Continuing Clinical Application and submit both applications by October 23, 2009.
• If enrolled in an eligible Winter Term clinical course: (see the "Eligibility" section above for a list of applicable courses): Complete the funding application and submit it by November 25, 2009.

All funding applications must be submitted to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs (Austin 102) by the deadlines above. Late applications will only be considered if funding is still available.

Download the Travel Grant Application

Grant Decisions and Notification

Grant amounts will be determined on a selective basis based on the merit of the project and proposed budget, and a student’s financial need. We will strive to fund as many legitimate project costs as possible. Students who apply after the deadline will only be considered for a travel grant if funding resources remain. 

After grant decisions are announced, students will be notified of their grant amount in an itemized manner, must accept or decline the grant, and must submit documentation of expenses. Students will not receive a grant check until all expenses are verified by proper documentation. Students receiving a grant are encouraged to submit documentation of expenses well in advance of travelling, as it will take about 3 weeks after submitting documentation to receive a grant check (and note that Harvard University is closed December 24-January 3).

If a student does not pursue or complete the clinical project, then he/she is responsible for notifying Office of Clinical and Programs and returning any funding received. We may ask for additional confirmation of expenses.