Northwestern International Conference Travel Grant for Graduate Students 2026

The Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs at Northwestern University offers an international conference travel grant for doctoral and terminal master's students presenting research at a professional academic conference outside the United States. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and applications for AY 2026–27 will open on or before October 1.

About the International Conference Travel Grant

This grant helps graduate students travel to present dissertation or thesis research related to international and comparative topics. The research must connect to the Roberta Buffett Institute’s focus on advancing research about the world beyond the borders of the United States. The conference must be a professional academic conference located outside the United States, and applicants must be seeking to present their work there.

The maximum grant is $1,200. A student may receive no more than one conference travel grant per academic year and no more than two during their graduate career. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants who submit by the end of a month can expect an application decision by the 15th of the following month. Separately, applications must be submitted no later than the first day of the month before the planned travel. For example, an application to fund travel to a conference on April 15 must be submitted by March 1.

Applications are submitted through the SOAP portal. A student who has received a previous grant from the Roberta Buffett Institute must submit a post-award report before applying again. By accepting funding, recipients agree to follow the health and safety requirements set by Northwestern’s Office of Global Safety and Security for their travel location or locations. Students undertaking university-related travel abroad must also register their trip in the International Travel Registry; the source excludes undergraduate study abroad from this reminder.

Who Should Apply

This grant is for Northwestern University doctoral students in years 3–7 and terminal master’s students. Applicants should be developing international or comparative research and planning to present it at a professional academic conference outside the United States. Students in combined bachelor’s/master’s programs, such as BS/MS, are not eligible. Previous recipients must complete the required post-award report before submitting a new application.

Key Highlights

• Maximum award: $1,200.
• For eligible Northwestern doctoral and terminal master’s students.
• Supports presentation of thesis or dissertation research at an international, non-U.S.-located academic conference.
• Limit of one award per academic year and two awards during graduate study.
• Rolling applications, with a travel-related submission deadline on the first day of the preceding month.

Explore other grants and funding opportunities, or browse more opportunities for youth to find options related to your academic goals.