Navigating Funding Opportunities for Feinberg School of Medicine Student Conferences

Attending academic conferences is a crucial aspect of medical education, offering invaluable opportunities for networking, career exploration, and research presentation. However, the financial burden associated with conference attendance can be a significant barrier for many students. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the funding opportunities available to Feinberg School of Medicine students to support their participation in conferences, both within the institution and from external organizations.

Introduction

Medical conferences serve as vital platforms for students to enhance their knowledge, foster intraprofessional networks, and learn about advancements within their specialty of interest. Early exposure to specialties and research during preclinical years strongly influences a medical student’s specialty choice, improves residency match outcomes, and improves research output. Medical student involvement in research is one form of early exposure that helps a student better understand specific nuances of a topic within their field of interest while also gaining mentorship by a member of the specialty. These events provide a forum for students to present their research, an increasingly important factor for those applying to competitive residency positions. By providing equitable access to attend conferences, medical students will be able to achieve adequate career exploration, networking opportunities, and the opportunity to engage in necessary research to apply to competitive specialties.

Feinberg School of Medicine Internal Funding Opportunities

Feinberg School of Medicine offers several internal funding opportunities to support students attending conferences. These opportunities are designed to encourage student participation in academic and research activities.

The Havey Institute for Global Health

The Havey Institute for Global Health supports global health education for Feinberg medical students who display an interest in global health and working with underserved populations in resource-limited settings. Funding for long-term global health projects is available to support student engagement in global health and to encourage student interest in and understanding of cross-cultural competencies, social determinants of health and clinical practice in resource-limited settings, among other topics.

Long-Term Global Health Projects: Funding amounts may vary for approved projects depending on the length and scope of the rotation and the submitted budget. Awards are limited to two per year and generally fall in the range of $10,000 to $15,000. Medical students who apply should be prepared to identify a project at a reputable international institution that can provide proper mentorship and meets the minimum standards outlined in the policy on global health education. Particular attention should be paid to identifying strong mentorship at both Feinberg and the host institution, safety and security of the host-country/region, and the sustainability of the project.

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Global Health Experience Awards: These awards support Feinberg students to pursue clinical electives, research, and public health projects at affiliated global partner sites and global sites in low- and middle-income countries. The application is available to students who have been approved for rotations by the Institute for Global Health, through the Feinberg Global Health Elective Canvas course. Current Feinberg students enrolled in the MD, DPT, PA, and MPH dual-degree program who wish to conduct clinical electives, Area of Scholarly Concentration research, and/or public health field experiences for four to eight weeks in low- and middle-income countries are eligible. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be received at a minimum of 60 days prior to the proposed travel date, and 90 days for unaffiliated sites.

Student Global Health Research Award: This award supports Northwestern University students who wish to carry out a global health research project under the supervision or mentorship of a Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health-affiliated faculty member. The Havey Institute for Global Health offers up to $2,500 to support travel and other modest expenses related to global health research at global sites. Current Northwestern University students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs who wish to conduct a global health research project for four to eight weeks at global sites are eligible. Applicants are required to have the mentorship of a Havey Institute for Global Health-affiliated faculty member. Students should be mindful of the NU Travel Policies and Feinberg Student International Travel Policy and Procedures, as it corresponds to them. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be received at a minimum of 90 days prior to the proposed travel date.

Faculty Micro Grants: The Havey Institute for Global Health offers micro grants to full-time Northwestern faculty who are currently mentoring medical students in global health Area of Scholarly Concentration (AOSC) program to support global health research and student mentorship. Micro grants awards are up to $2,500 per faculty member, per year. The goal of the program is to provide modest support for travel to international partner sites, basic study supplies and/or software needed by Northwestern faculty to develop and oversee credible and sustainable global health research amenable to student involvement. Priority will be given to projects that have the majority of research activity taking place in partner countries. This proposal can also support activities related to existing research or educational grants, but not currently funded under existing mechanisms. Up to $2,500 per year faculty member may be awarded. Funding requests may be lower than this amount. Any full-time Northwestern faculty member who is currently mentoring a student in the Area of Scholarly Concentration program may apply. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Catalyzer Award Funding: SU/NU Global Health Knowledge Hub: The Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health is pleased to offer support to affiliated Northwestern faculty, working with Stellenbosch University faculty, on projects related to growing the work the SU/NU Global Health Knowledge Hub.

Project Award Funding: SU/NU Global Health Knowledge Hub: The Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health is pleased to offer support to affiliated Northwestern faculty, working with Stellenbosch University faculty, on projects related to growing the work the SU/NU Global Health Knowledge Hub.

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Eligibility Criteria for Havey Institute Grants: The Havey Institute for Global Health and its programs are funded through grants and generous donations from individuals, families, and public and private organizations and foundations that believe in our mission and share our passion. Eligible project scopes are exploratory, novel studies that break new ground or extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications globally. All applicants must have an active appointment at Northwestern University (tenure track, non-tenure track, or adjunct). Early and mid-career faculty will be prioritized. Multi-Principal Investigators (MPI) are encouraged, and at least one Multi-Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator must be located at an affiliated institution outside of the United States. The purpose of this grant is to provide research support to Northwestern faculty who are a) collecting preliminary data to support a future grant submission and/or b) supplemental support for ongoing sponsored-research for work outside the aims and/or scope of work of the funded project. The fund is not meant to support the same aims of an existing study or projects that lack a specific plan to obtain sponsor-support. The purpose of this grant is to provide support to Northwestern faculty for non-research projects, including, but not limited to, events, education, community engagement, or implementation projects.

Other Internal Funding Sources

Pritzker School of Medicine: The Pritzker School of Medicine has limited funding to support students who represent Pritzker or present an abstract or poster at virtual or in-person regional or national conferences.
Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation: The Center for Healthcare Delivery Science and Innovation offers an award program to help defray the cost of travel and registration fees for HDSI-related research.
BSD Office of Diversity and Inclusion: The BSD Office of Diversity and Inclusion has funds to offset the cost of conference travel through their Small Grants Program.

External Funding Opportunities

In addition to internal funding, numerous external organizations offer grants and fellowships to support medical students attending conferences. These opportunities often have specific eligibility requirements and deadlines, so it's essential to research them thoroughly.

Research-Focused Fellowships and Grants

Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA): The Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowship provides financial support for research to be conducted either during a continual period of a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks; 30 hours or more per week, or an average of 4 hours per week for 12 months over a period of 1 to 2 years, for clinical investigation, basic laboratory research, epidemiology, social science/health services research, leadership, or professionalism. Only one candidate from each school may be nominated. First- and second-year students from schools with active AΩA chapters are eligible. PhDs and candidates for MD/PhD are not eligible. Students must be actively enrolled in medical school classes and not taking a year off to pursue research or a graduate degree. Funds from the fellowship are expected to be the major source of support for the student.
American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR): The AFAR Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program provides medical students with an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, under the mentorship of top experts in the field. Any medical student in good standing who will have successfully completed one year of medical school by June 2026 is eligible.
Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP): The Medical Research Scholars Program endeavors to be the premier training program for future clinician-scientists that advances health by inspiring careers in biomedical research. By engaging students in basic, clinical, or translational research investigations, a curriculum rich in didactics and professional development, and a robust mentorship and advising program, MRSP prepares its Scholars to become tomorrow’s leaders in medicine and biomedical research. The application cycle for the 2026-2027 class will be Sept. 1, 2025 - Dec.
Johns Hopkins Poggi Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award: The Johns Hopkins Poggi Pediatric Orthopaedic Research Scholar Award is a year-long fellowship program for extraordinary medical students. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge clinical research and learn the skills necessary to produce sound, high-quality papers. Scholarships will be awarded to outstanding medical students for a four-year period.
Sarnoff Fellowship Program: The Sarnoff Fellowship Program offers medical students enrolled in accredited US medical schools the opportunity to spend a year conducting intensive work in a biomedical research facility in the United States, other than the medical school in which they are enrolled. During the year in the laboratory, the Sarnoff Fellow will undertake his/her own research project and assume responsibility for it from inception to completion. The Fellow is expected with guidance, to develop the hypothesis and specific aims of the project, to participate in the experimental design, to carry out appropriate experiments, to interpret the data with the help of his/her preceptor, and to prepare an original manuscript for submission to an appropriate peer-reviewed journal. Must be US citizen, US non-citizen national, or US permanent resident and enrolled in a doctoral degree program in medicine in the United States. Commitment to a “year-out” opportunity (e.g., 9 to 12-month full-time research training experience).
TL1 Predoctoral Program at Washington University: The TL1 Predoctoral Program at Washington University provides career development for medical and allied healthcare doctoral students through didactic coursework, mentored training, work-in-progress research discussions, journal clubs, and conferences.
Chicago KUH FORWARD TL1 Interdisciplinary Training Program: Chicago KUH FORWARD is pleased to announce its new NIDDK-funded TL1 interdisciplinary training program for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in basic, translational, or clinical research in the fields of kidney, benign urologic, and benign hematologic diseases at one of the six Chicago KUH FORWARD partnering institutions: Ann & Robert H. Predoctoral trainees must have received a baccalaureate degree by the beginning date of their TL1 appointment and be enrolled in a program leading to a Ph.D. Chicago KUH FORWARD intends to fund up to 5 predoctoral and 5 postdoctoral trainee awards during the inaugural year of the TL1 program. Awards provide support for up to two years at NRSA stipend levels.
Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes: The Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health through the NIDDK and allows medical students to conduct research under the direction of an established scientist in the areas of diabetes, hormone action, physiology, islet cell biology or obesity at an institution with one of the NIDDK-funded Research Centers during the summer between the first and second year or second and third year of medical school. The Program helps students gain an improved understanding of career opportunities in biomedical research and a comprehensive understanding of diabetes, its clinical manifestations and its unsolved problems.
RSNA Research Medical Student Grant: The RSNA Research Medical Student Grant gives medical students the opportunity to gain research experience in medical imaging while still in medical school. You must be an RSNA member to apply for the Medical Student Research Grant.

Global Health and International Opportunities

Benjamin H. Kean Fellowship: Administered by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, this fellowship supports medical students undertaking clinical or research electives in tropical medicine or related areas in developing countries.
Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health: These fellowships, established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings, are available upon completion of required clerkships during the M3 year.
HBNU Fogarty Global Health Program: The HBNU Fogarty Global Health Fellowship connects high-potential global health researchers with innovative, mentored research opportunities designed to improve the health of low-resource populations around the world.
AMWA Overseas Assistance Grant: The American Women's Hospitals Service provides small grants, up to $1,500, for assistance with transportation costs (e.g., airfare, train fare) connected with pursuing medical studies in an off-campus setting where the medically neglected will benefit.

Diversity and Inclusion-Focused Funding

ASCO Diversity Programs: ASCO offers programs such as the Medical Student Rotation for Underrepresented Populations and the Resident Travel Award to support medical students and residents from populations underrepresented in medicine.
Nth Dimensions Summer Internship Program (NDSI): All first-year medical students who are in good standing in an accredited US medical school are eligible to apply for the Nth Dimensions Summer Internship Program (NDSI). It is our goal to provide meaningful NDSI experiences for our Nth Scholars.

Other Opportunities

Council for the Advancement of Higher Education Programs (CAHEP) Grant: CAHEP plans to make one grant of $400. The annual grant will provide funds to support research expenses. All applicants will be notified about the status of their application prior to the annual conference. Submit a proposal about the project and associated results to the CAHEP pre-conference or the main ASHE conference at the next available opportunity (within one to two years of receiving the grant). The research study methods and analysis plan (suggested 500 words). This should include the status of any partnerships that will be necessary to the project and/or IRB approval for the study, if needed. A MASKED* budget, uploaded as a PDF, that includes an itemized list of anticipated research-related expenses.
Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans: The fellowship honors and supports the graduate educations of 30 new Americans each year with tuition and living expenses that can total as much as $90,000 over two academic years.
Society of Hospital Medicine - Student Hospitalist Scholar Grant (SHM-SHSG): The SHM-SHSG awardees will complete scholarly work with an active SHM mentor in a project related to patient safety/quality improvement or other areas relevant to the field of hospital medicine. Applicants must be a student member of SHM.
American Osler Society: William B. Bean Student Research Award: The William B. Bean Student Research Award provides medical students the opportunity to investigate pertinent topics in clinical orthopaedic research at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This funded “year-out” scholar program is unique because it was specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in orthopaedic surgery. Applicants must be completing their third year of medical school in the United States.
The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program: The Chicago Area Schweitzer Fellows Program fosters the leadership abilities of aspiring health professionals, who design and implement service projects that promote health equity. Any student who will be enrolled at least part-time in a health-related, graduate-level-degree-granting program during the Fellowship year is welcome to apply. Please note that two exceptions to this are medical and podiatry students who will be entering their third year of medical school.

General Strategies for Securing Funding

Securing funding for conference attendance requires careful planning and a proactive approach. Here are some general strategies to maximize your chances of success:

Start early: Begin researching funding opportunities well in advance of the conference you plan to attend. Many grants and fellowships have deadlines several months before the event.
Tailor your application: Carefully review the eligibility requirements and application guidelines for each funding opportunity and tailor your application accordingly. Highlight your relevant experiences, research interests, and career goals.
Seek mentorship: Consult with faculty mentors, research advisors, or career counselors for guidance on identifying appropriate funding opportunities and crafting compelling applications.
Network: Attend informational sessions and workshops on funding opportunities to learn about new programs and connect with potential mentors and collaborators.
Present your research: Many funding opportunities prioritize students who are presenting their research at conferences. Consider submitting an abstract or poster presentation to enhance your application.
Be persistent: Don't be discouraged if your initial applications are unsuccessful. Seek feedback on your application materials and continue to apply for other opportunities.

Additional Resources

Feinberg School of Medicine Financial Aid Office: The Financial Aid Office can provide information on loan programs, scholarships, and other financial resources to support your medical education.
Professional Organizations: Many professional organizations in your field of interest offer grants, scholarships, and travel awards to support student participation in conferences.
Online Databases: Utilize online databases such as Pivot and GrantForward to search for funding opportunities based on your specific research interests and eligibility criteria.

Analysis of Conference Funding Trends

A recent study explored the range of institutional funding available for allopathic and osteopathic medical students to attend academic conferences. The study found that of the 132 medical schools (60%) with publicly accessible information regarding conference funding, 125 (95%) reported that they provided funding for conference attendance. The average number of times that a student could receive funding during their 4 years was 4.1, and the average funding per year was $479. There was no difference in the 4-year total funding between public and private schools ($1924 versus $1992; P = 0.88) or between allopathic and osteopathic schools ($1946 versus $2185; P = 0.76).

The study also revealed that 51% of schools mandated that the student be the presenting author, and 30% of schools reported that the funding was guaranteed to all students, whereas 57% of schools reported that funding was either by application or application-based if the number of applicants exceeded the number of available awards. The average self-reported debt for students was $161,022 (SD = $105,240).

Limitations and Considerations

It is important to acknowledge certain limitations when exploring funding opportunities. The availability of funding can vary significantly depending on the institution, department, and specific research area. Additionally, the application process can be competitive, and there is no guarantee of receiving funding. Students should be prepared to supplement their funding with personal contributions, departmental support, or research laboratory funds.

Furthermore, the cost of attending academic conferences is substantial and can be prohibitive for students to attend these conferences, even if they have accepted abstracts for which they are invited to present. The cost can further add to student loan burden because many students are paying for their own attendance. Although many schools do have funding opportunities, this funding is not substantial enough to account for the number of conferences for which those students applying to competitive specialties must often participate.

Northwestern University Graduate School Conference Travel Grant (CTG)

The Graduate School (TGS) at Northwestern University offers Conference Travel Grants (CTGs) to support PhD and MFA students attending academic/professional conferences. CTG awards may only be used for voluntary attendance at academic/professional conferences in furtherance of a student’s own academic/career interests.

Eligibility: Students must be active (not discontinued, graduated, or on leave) in PhD or MFA programs administered by The Graduate School (TGS) and within their degree time limitation at the time of the conference travel.

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