Salata Institute Travel Grant Program

Salata Travel Grant

Supports Harvard climate researchers and students with travel funding for conferences, fieldwork, and professional development opportunities.

The Salata Institute Travel Grant reimburses Harvard students for climate-related travel undertaken during academic terms, covering conference presentations, professional development, field research, and faculty-supervised independent research. The program is open to all full-time Harvard students in degree-granting programs and operates in cycles aligned with the academic calendar — fall, spring, and winter terms are eligible; summer travel does not qualify. Applications for the Fall 2026 cycle are expected to open at the start of that term, following the program's established cycle pattern.

Reimbursement caps are $1,000 per person for international travel and $600 per person for domestic travel and travel within Canada. Groups of two to six students may apply jointly for shared conference or research travel, with each member receiving individual reimbursement up to the applicable cap. Travel to destinations on Harvard's high-risk travel list is not eligible regardless of purpose. Students pay all costs upfront; funds are disbursed only after the trip, upon submission of receipts, a post-travel reflection essay, and two to three photographs documenting the experience.

To maximize competitiveness, applicants should clearly articulate the climate or sustainability relevance of the conference, field site, or research activity, and secure faculty endorsement where possible, particularly for independent research travel. The reimbursement-only structure means applicants must have the personal financial resources to front travel costs before submitting. Joint group applications for conferences are advantageous when multiple students are attending the same event, as they can be submitted under a single application while each member retains the individual cap.