#  Graduate Research Travel Grants 

 



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***We are pleased to announce that we will hold another funding competition for Summer 2026 travel. Please note that this cycle will be highly competitive. The application will open December 1 and close on February 15.***

The Center for African Studies offers funding to Harvard graduate students traveling to Africa for thesis or dissertation research or for fieldwork connected to an academic project. Internships, conference travel, or research related to a start-up/business are not eligible for funding. While there is no minimum travel duration requirement, preference is given to applicants who can provide a well-organized itinerary/schedule that demonstrates how their travel is necessary to complete components of their research. Grant awards range from $1,000 to $3,500. Award amounts will be based on budgets, length of stay, and available funding for the award period. ***Research travel grants are highly competitive, and we encourage students to apply for multiple funding sources.***

### Eligibility:

- Applicant must be a full-time, continuing graduate student at Harvard.
- Applicant’s purpose of travel must be for academic research. Internships and conference travel are not eligible for funding. Preference will be given to applicants traveling for thesis or dissertation research.
- Research/work/study must take place in any African country (check [Harvard student travel policies](https://www.globalsupport.harvard.edu/travel/pre-departure-support/policies-requirements) for any restrictions).
- While there is no minimum stay requirement, preference will be given to applicants who provide a well-organized itinerary that will demonstrate how they plan to accomplish their research goals during their stay.
- *Preference will go to applicants who have completed at least two African Studies courses, have experience in the region, and/or have language experience related to Africa.*
- ***Students who have never received CAS funding will be given priority.***

### Application:

**Deadline to Apply:**   
February 15th, 2026 at 11:59PM *(For travel during Summer 2026)*

- [**CARAT online application form**](https://carat.fas.harvard.edu/applicant/newApplication?applicationPurposeId=4&fundingSourceId=2098)
- Current unofficial transcript
- Current resume/CV
- 750-word proposal, including a description of the research/project you are planning to work on and whether it is continued research from prior time spent in Africa.
- Detailed itinerary, including expected flight dates and plans for use of time while in Africa.
- Detailed budget for all expenses while traveling. CAS will not pay you an hourly rate for time spent conducting research. You cannot list taxation on the grant as an expense. Funding is meant to cover expenses only. If your budget exceeds the $3,500 maximum, please describe how you plan to fund the excess expenses (i.e. Weatherhead Center grant, personal funds, etc.). Be sure to list all other grants to which you have applied and your award status. Please note that grant funds cannot be used to pay research assistants.
- Two letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation should be submitted through CARAT by the grant deadline. Simply notifying references through CARAT will allow you to submit your application but will not mark your application as complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all letters are submitted by the deadline. CAS does not follow up with references on your behalf. One letter of recommendation should be from the Harvard faculty member advising your project. If references have difficulty submitting their recommendations via CARAT, they may email their letters directly to Lindsay Moats at <Lmoats@fas.harvard.edu>. Any applicant who may be unable to request a letter from a faculty member for any reason may reach out to Lindsay Moats. Recommendation letter waivers can be granted on a case-by-case basis.  
      
    *\*Note on funding for group projects: The Center does not award funds to groups completing the same project. Each student working on a group project must apply individually with their own proposals, budgets, and letters of reference. Due to limited funds available and the preference for project diversity, applicants applying for group work should anticipate that only one member of the group will be considered for funding.*