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Einaudi Center for International Studies

Cornell University

International Research Travel Grants

Application Deadline: March 6, 2026
Ethan Duvall conducting study in Ecuador USFQ Hub

Details

Do you need to travel internationally for your graduate research or fieldwork?

The Einaudi Center sponsors international travel for individual Cornell graduate students. If you’re traveling between the United States and a host country for activities directly related to your dissertation or thesis research, Einaudi can help you get there.

Applications Open

Monday, November 17, 2025

Amount

Up to $3,000 to cover international airfare for activities directly related to your dissertation or thesis research.

What expenses can I get covered with my travel grant? 

The award covers airfare only. No other travel expenses will be considered for funding. Awards do not fund travel to international conferences, symposiums, or language learning of any kind.
Alonso Alegre-Bravo studied electricity access in Guatemala

Grad Students Study World with Einaudi Travel Grants

Read about how Einaudi travel grants supported research travel for Alonso Alegre-Bravo (LACS: Guatemala) and Jessie Taieun Yoon (EAP: Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea). Last year 100 graduate students found support for their fieldwork at Einaudi!

Eligibility

All applicants must be enrolled in an approved course of study at Cornell University leading to a master's or PhD degree. Graduate students or students enrolled in Cornell’s professional schools are eligible, with the following exceptions:

  • Students graduating in May 2026
  • Students who have not used 2025 awards

You may only receive two Einaudi travel grants during your time at Cornell. Groups are not eligible to apply, as grants are awarded on an individual basis. 

Travel must occur between May 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027.

I received an Einaudi travel grant, but haven't used it yet. Can I “bank” the award and reapply?

You must write to travelgrants@einaudi.cornell.edu and turn down your current grant to be able to apply for the following year's grant. There is no guarantee that you will receive a new grant.

Requirements 

  • Awards are based on the proposal submitted at the time of application. You may change your travel dates within the travel date parameters, but you cannot change your proposal.
  • To receive the award and travel approval, you are required to participate in a short online international travel predeparture orientation.
  • You must submit photos of your boarding passes as proof of travel within 30 days of the end of your funded travel. (We will not accept tickets or travel itineraries.)

I got a travel grant! Can I change my proposed destination or project?

There are very few reasons why we would allow a change in your proposal after you've been awarded a travel grant. An example of an occasion when we would review a new proposal is if your travel destination has become unsafe, and ITART has removed its approval of your travel. There is no guarantee your new proposal will be approved for funding.

Can I change my travel dates if I decide to travel later than originally planned?

Yes, so long as your travel remains within the travel date parameters. Your award amount will not change even if ticket prices change. 

Can I attend a conference at my destination before I do my research?

Yes, but the conference does not count toward your 14 days of research. You still need to fulfill all the travel grant requirements: i.e., 14 days in the field, travel within the specified travel dates, depart and return to the U.S. from a major international airport. Please email travelgrants@einaudi.cornell.edu if you are not sure if your plans meet the requirements.
Liam McDonald carrying out dendrochronological sampling at the church of Agios Nikolaos tis Stegis in Cyprus.

Liam Mcdonald, PhD candidate in classics, traveled to Cyprus to collect dendrochronological samples from Byzantine churches in the Troodos Mountains. 

Udita Bansal holds a salamander up on her hand.

Udita Bansal, PhD candidate in ecology and evolutionary biology, traveled to Madagascar to study forests, biodiversity, and culture.

Travel Requirements

  • Travel must take place between May 1, 2026, and August 31, 2027, and cannot be funded retroactively. The minimum stay abroad is 14 days.
  • Travel must originate and end in the United States. You must depart and return to a major international airport.
  • Cornell travelers are required to comply with the Fly America Act. Please choose American Airlines when possible.
  • Awardees must register their Einaudi-supported travel in the Cornell Travel Registry no earlier than eight weeks and no later than four weeks prior to travel. You must follow all university travel policies and have ITART approval if you travel to an elevated risk destination.

International Travel Guidance

Travel to Elevated Risk Destinations

Travel to level 4 countries must be approved by the International Travel Advisory and Response Team (ITART). Graduate and professional students do not need to petition for travel to level 1, 2, or 3 level countries. Approval may be withdrawn if there is a change in the risk level of your destination or if you violate any contingencies of approval given. In such instances, you will be required to refund the award.

For International Students

Be aware that U.S. federal travel restrictions are evolving and could impact some international citizens' ability to reenter the country. We encourage all international students to check International Services' Current Travel Advisory frequently for new guidance. If you have problems or concerns about reentering the United States after your research, consult this webpage for urgent advice or reach out to an International Services advisor.

Questions?

Email the Einaudi Center at travelgrants@einaudi.cornell.edu. 

Help! My faculty advisor was not able to upload my recommendation letter. 

Have your professor email the letter to travelgrants@einaudi.cornell.edu.

My research is non-regional. How do I apply?

Write to travelgrants@einaudi.cornell.edu with a summary of your work. Our staff will tell you how to submit your application.

I need to submit a trip budget for my program top-off. Where does it go in the application?

Only put the value of the tickets in the “Estimated Airfare Cost” field. There is a separate field in the application where you can upload an Excel spreadsheet with your trip budget.

Apply

Additional Information

Funding Type

  • Travel Grant

Role

  • Student

Program

East Asia Program

Institute for African Development

Institute for European Studies

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Migrations Program

Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies

South Asia Program

Southeast Asia Program

Southwest Asia and North Africa Program