travel grant

Matador Original Series

31 Travel Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants to Fund Your Next Trip Abroad

DO YOU HAVE A worthwhile project or field of study that involves traveling? If so, consider having your travels funded through a grant, fellowship, or travel scholarship.

Begin by contemplating where you want to go and potential projects you could build around those destinations. (Or vice versa.) Always wondered how sustainable agriculture works in Guam? How about local conservation practices in Central America? Once you have a clear vision of a travel / research project, begin looking for funding possibilities that give you the most freedom to pursue your goals.

When applying, take advantage of the resources and support systems you have. Your school, present or past, will have an adviser who can help you navigate the application process.

Writing grant proposals can take a lot of time, but good advice can help focus your efforts. Your school or area may even offer their own scholarship opportunities–talk to your department or your study abroad office.

Finally, even if funding from your school or other org close to home isn’t an option, you’ll find lots of other opportunities out there to fund your travel / project.

Major Grants

These are highly sought-after, competitive post-college grants that offer a full ride for a year or two of graduate study overseas.

Marshall Scholarship fully funds 2-3 years of graduate study in the UK. Open to US students finished with or finishing college.

Rhodes Scholarship funds two years of graduate study at Oxford. Includes full tuition and expenses and living stipend.

Fulbright offers year-long fellowships to American graduating seniors, grad students, young professionals and artists for study abroad or to teach English abroad. Program requirements vary by destination.

Watson Fellowship funds one year of independent research. $25,000. Open to graduating seniors from participating, small American colleges.

Program-based funding

These include grants tied to participation in the giver’s program, and can take various forms.

Institute for International Public Policy Fellowships is a five year program with study abroad component to prepare underrepresented minority undergrads for careers in international affairs. Open to US citizens or permanent residents who apply sophomore year.

Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowships multi-year program also for women and members of minorities underrepresented in foreign service. Open to US citizens to apply by Feb. of sophomore year. Foreign service commitment.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a State Department program supporting study abroad. Up to $5000 offered to enrolled students with financial need.

Rotary Ambassadorial and World Peace Scholarships fund study and language training abroad for undergraduates and masters degrees for graduate students in international studies, peace studies, and conflict resolution to be completed at one of seven Rotary Centers. Ambassadorial grants from $11000 to $24000 depending on duration of study.

Fogarty-Ellison Overseas Fellowships in Global Health and Clinical Research from the NIH funds one year of clinical research training abroad. $25,000 plus $6000 for additional travel and materials expenses. Open to graduate students in health professions.

CIEE Scholarships offers several grants to participants in CIEE’s study abroad programs. Certain grants fund study in particular regions. Essay required upon return. Must demonstrate financial need.

AIFS Scholarships offer a variety of grants covering up to full tuition and airfare for individuals in AIFS programs.

SIT Scholarships fund participation in SIT program. $500 to $5,000. Based on financial need.

Hispanic Study Abroad Scholars reduces costs of Global Semesters programs. Open to students attending member institutions of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship is a multi-year program of summer institutes and study abroad. Funds up to 1/2 of junior year study abroad tuition. Open to underrepresented minorities.

Regional Grants

These grants are tied to study or travel in specific regions or countries of the globe.

NSEP David L. Boren Scholarship pays for undergraduate students to study in understudied areas of interest to national security. $8000 to $20000 depending on duration of study. Comes with federal government service requirement.

NSEP Boren Fellowship for graduate students. $12000 to $30000 maximum award. Federal service requirement.

Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes funds study of a list of lesser-studied languages. Covers all program costs. Open to US citizens enrolled in a college or university.

The Killam Fellowships Program fund semester or academic year study in Canada. $5000/semester plus a travel allowance. Open to US or Canadian undergraduates.

George J. Mitchell Scholarship sponsors one year of graduate study at an Irish University. Funded by the US-Ireland Alliance. Includes tuition and stipend. Open to American citizens, ages 18 to 30.

BUTEX Scholarships offer $1000 for US students accepted to study at a member University of the British Universities TransAtlantic Exchange Association. Simple application due by September 1.

American-Scandinavian Foundation Awards for Study in Scandinavia offer fellowships of up to $23000 and grants of $5000 to fund study or research. Open to college graduates.

DAAD Fellowships from The German Academic Exchange offers a range of study and research grants to undergraduates and graduate students for summer or school-year study in Berlin.

Kress Travel Fellowships in the History of Art funds research in Europe towards dissertation. $3500 to $10,000. Open to American pre-doctoral students in art history

IREX Short Term Travel Grants Program Fellowships for researchers holding graduate degrees for up to eight weeks in Eurasia. Research must be broadly related to policy concerns.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia supports study in Asia for students demonstrating financial need. $3000-$7000 based on the duration of study. Open to undergraduates with little to no experience in country of travel.

Bridging Scholarships are offered by the Association of Teachers of Japanese , to fund travel and living expenses for academic study in Japan. Grants range from $2500 to $4000.

Monbusho Scholarships available to current and graduated students between 18 and 30. Funded by the Japanese government. Short term exchange program of particular interest to current undergrad and grad students.

Huayu Enrichment Scholarship for Mandarin language study in Taiwan. Stipend of approx US$790/month. Open to overseas students who apply through their local Taiwan representative.

Halide Edip Adıvar Prize For current undergraduates who have not studied Turkey. $1000. Open to American and Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Other funding

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants towards study abroad. $1000. Open to all students of universities with a Phi Kappa Phi chapter.

NSF: Developing Global Scientists and Engineers offers funds for international research and study to undergrads, grad students and doctoral students in science and engineering fields. Grant

Trending Now

The 25 dreamiest airbnbs in italy, everything you need to know about going wild camping — legally, the 10 best nudist resorts around the world, 21 zion national park cabins to make your desert dreams come true, this road trip expert’s free map of 429 national park sites will vastly improve your us travels, discover matador, adventure travel, train travel, national parks, beaches and islands, ski and snow.

• Scholarships

How to Get Travel Scholarships, Grants, Fellowships & More

The GoAbroad Writing Team is a collection of international travel writers with decades of experie...

• button]:border-none [&>button]:bg-white [&>button]:hover:cursor-pointer [&>button]:hover:text-cyan-400"> button]:hover:text-cyan-400 [&>button]:bg-white hover:cursor-pointer" height="1em" width="1em" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg">

Money can’t buy you love, but it CAN buy you international plane tickets. So…Love shmove! 

Let’s get real for a sec. Travel ain’t free and it certainly ain’t (always) cheap. If you want to see the world—I mean really see it—you’re gonna have to spend some $$$. In a perfect world, international airfare wouldn’t drive us to Google “how much will my kidney sell for?” And that’s WITH all the amazing flight deal hacks ! 

Us, once we see the cost of our dream program abroad.

So, how are we, the not-Beyonce’s of the world, supposed to afford to study, intern, volunteer, or teach abroad? How do we go from being trifling good-for-nothing type of brothers to a baller? 

Travel. Scholarships. Grants. Fellowships.

That’s right, now you can pay your bills and now we DEFINITELY can chill. None of this maxing out cards and acting dumb when the bill comes. Nah-uh. We’re not playing Bey like that. You can apply for scholarships to travel abroad—no joke. 

Don’t believe me? Watch the video and read the transcript below. Our travel experts lay out exactly how you can use travel grants, fellowships, and scholarships to make ALLLLLL your adventures come to life.

Video transcript

The only thing more stressful than packing four months of junk into a suitcase is applying for travel scholarships. Deadlines, eligibility factors, essays—trying to impress someone enough in 500 words or less so that they will literally help fund your dreams is a daunting experience. 

DON’T WORRY. WE GOT YOU.

Let’s chat SCHOLARSHIPS, y’all! That’s right, you can get FREE MONEY to study, volunteer, intern, get your TEFL certificate, etc. 

One more time: Free. Money.

We’re here to tell you about how GoAbroad can help you find travel scholarships to make all your travel dreams come true. So if you have one, wait, I promise it’ll come true! That’s why we put this how-to video together to help you find the right student travel scholarships, get your application game up to snuff, and watch that free money come rollin’ on in. 

What kinds of travel fellowships, scholarships, & grants are there?

There’s academic scholarships to travel abroad , which is great if you love report cards—for you smarties out there! 

Athletic scholarships for travel are a slam dunk! Now you don’t have to be a pro, but if you’re really good and play a sport in college this might be the right scholarship for you. 

Is your ethnicity or gender under-represented in travel? Demographic scholarships to travel abroad are for you. 

Destination based student travel scholarships —different countries have different scholarships for international students. [So be sure to check those out]

Find a scholarship based on your field of study. [AKA— major-specific travel scholarships for college students. ]

Do you receive the Pell Grant or other financial aid? Then, apply for need-based travel scholarships .

OR, your alma mater could hook you up with university-specific scholarships to travel abroad . And to help undergraduate students afford to take on unpaid or underpaid summer internships, study abroad programs, or service trips abroad, or even summer research. There’s just heaps of options! I could go on and on and on all day. 

Stop doodling and dreaming, and start doing! Seriously, those applications won’t finish themselves.

Where can I find travel scholarships for college students? 

We’re glad you asked! We’ve got a handy dandy little thing over at GoAbroad called a “ Scholarships Directory .” This is your go-to for all things travel scholarships! Again: Go. Abroad. Scholarships directory. Filter your search by experience to find great opportunities across the web, all in one place.

PRO TIP: For those of you still in school, if you haven’t popped by your international programs or financial aid offices, you better make an appointment! It’s right there, it’s easy to use, they’ll be there with you throughout the whole process and you’ll be on your way to your next adventure in no time.

How do I apply for travel grants, fellowships, & scholarships without wasting my time?

Another great question, class! Very nice! My mother’s always told me that if you’re not nervous about a job interview, then you probably don’t really care about the job. I think the same thing stands true for a lot of other things as well. [**Like applying for scholarships to travel abroad.]

Here are a few insider tips so that you don’t waste your time, and, you’re ultimately getting the most bang for your buck! (Buck for your bang???—Whatever, here’s how to kick ASS at scholarship apps.) 

Get organized! Put everything in one place—Google drive, a spreadsheet, or an *actual* folder with printed materials. [Whatever your style is, just make sure you have everything together and easy to find.]

DUE. DATES. DO MATTER. They do, do, do, okay? So mark all your due dates and create reminders for them one or two weeks out. You don’t want to be scrambling to get everything together last minute. Trust me, it’s not enjoyable. 

Ask for letters of recommendation. Now this could be something from your past boss or your teacher. Some scholarships will require letters of recommendation. Start this process early to give recommenders plenty of time to craft a meaningful letter for you. [Plus, if one falls through, you’ll want time to queue up a backup!]

Next stop: Adventure abroad!

Craft a KILLER application essay. Yes, you have to write. This is like, 90% of the application, right? You’ll need to check the specifics of each prompt. Some might be looking for a personal narrative, some might want you to answer a very specific question or speak to a current event or major world issue. In order to get the dough you gotta put in the time. 

• Understand your goals — ask yourself why this experience is important, what will you bring to the table, and what do you expect to take away from the experience. 
• Outline your essay —but like, seriously. Even if it starts only as “Intro, body, and conclusion,” at least you need to know where you’re headed so you don’t end up submitting a two-page ramble about nothing. 
• Then you want to edit, edit, edit.
• Edit again, edit again, and edit AGAIN. There’s going to be no typos for you. You want to look professional and you want to look smart. 
• Send your draft to someone you trust to give you feedback and edit it, again. Like your mom, or your English teacher. 
• ONE LAST TIME. Review submissions requirements so you know you’re following all the directions and submitting your essay in the correct format. 

Submit all of your materials. (Early, you pro!) and await your fate! Good luck! Now, waiting for your acceptance letters can be anxiety inducing. So, check with your scholarship offices about when you can expect to hear a decision by, and keep yourself as busy as you can while you’re waiting. 

Are travel fellowships worth all the fuss? 

PFFFT. Is it worth it? Are overpriced avocados low-key the worst? Is Beyonce an angel we don’t deserve? Could your brow game be even stronger? YAS. Of course travel scholarships are worth it.

They make meaningful travel that much more affordable by helping you cover the pesky costs of things like: round trip flights, housing, FOOOOOD, your new backpack. That stuff adds up quick. It’s a really great resource for students to take advantage of because it really opens up a whole world of opportunities.

You know, that way you can save your hard-earned cash for fun stuff! Like weekend trips with new friends! Or that visit to the Van Gogh museum! You might even fall in love with a country and decide to move there permanently. Hey! That’s how I ended up here in Namibia. Apply to travel scholarships for college students so you can get out there and make all this fun, and life-changing stuff happen. 

Next...next steps to scoring free money for travel

Ri-ri knows you if you want that $$$, you better werk.

Listen, we were all pretty clear about what you’ve got to do in order to get that sweet, sweet cash money, but we’ve got some more resources for you either way. 

• Looking for study abroad scholarships? Check out the COMPLETE guide.
• 8 hot scholarships for study abroad
• 12 study abroad scholarships for LGBT students
• 40 scholarships for study abroad around the world
• 5 (more) scholarships for underrepresented students  
• Write an award winning study abroad scholarship essay with these tips

Now you’re ready to ROCK those applications. 

Go out and get your travels funded!

Stop dilly dallying. Those due dates are coming up! So reach out to your recommenders and start tip-tapping away on your keyboard. Those travel scholarships application essays won’t write themselves! Your next great adventure awaits. 

Explore ALL Travel Abroad Scholarships

Explore Scholarships Programs on GoAbroad.com

Related Articles

By Megan Lee | 4 days ago

By Emily Wood | 6 days ago

By Mary Walton | 6 days ago

By Danielle DeSimone | May 7, 2024

Popular Searches

Study abroad programs in italy, study abroad programs in spain, marine biology study abroad programs, study psychology abroad, fall study abroad 2024, spring study abroad programs, recommended programs.

1685 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

1932 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

564 reviews

Intern Abroad HQ

2731 reviews

African Impact

Popular opportunities to check out

Free Funds Coming Your Way

Focus on the adventure you’ll have, not just how you’ll pay for it.

For Travelers

Travel resources, for partners.

© Copyright 1998 - 2024 GoAbroad.com ®

• Study Abroad
• Volunteer Abroad
• Intern Abroad
• Teach Abroad
• TEFL Courses
• Degrees Abroad
• High School Abroad
• Language Schools
• Adventure Travel
• Jobs Abroad
• Online Study Abroad
• Online Volunteer Programs
• Online Internships
• Online Language Courses
• Online Teaching Jobs
• Online Jobs
• Online TEFL Courses
• Online Degree Programs

What’s a Travel Grant, and How Do I Get One?

The ability to travel opens your eyes to worlds apart from your own. While this type of experience is invaluable, it does cost money — sometimes, a lot of money.

That’s where a travel grant comes in. This type of allowance provides the funds you need to get yourself around the world and back again.

What Is a Travel Grant?

In general, federal or state governments — as well as educational institutions — can provide you with a grant. As far as travel goes, though, they’re most often awarded by the latter.

Students who propose to travel to a far-flung destination should come to the awarding officer with a detailed proposal as to why this trip is essential. In most cases, they’ll have to show the type of research they’ll be able to conduct while they’re out of the country. If the university or organization providing the grant sees the value in the trip — say, it’s for research instead of relaxation — they will likely give a plan the go-ahead.

There’s a slight difference between travel grants and scholarships. To obtain the latter, one typically has to show proof of academic excellence or another exceptional talent. The money awarded often goes toward tuition fees incurred while studying abroad, which might make it harder to obtain a scholarship for research pursuits or cultural immersion.

How Do I Get One?

It may seem as though graduate and Ph.D. students are the only ones who can pursue travel grants that fund research, but that’s not always the case. In fact, there are a few organizations outside educational ones that will provide grants for travel — check with UNESCO and the UN, as well as the SPRET educational trust , which tends to choose students based in designated areas.

All these groups will fund trips aimed at personal or cultural development, not just educational growth. There might be other options, too — be sure to do your research for the best fit.

Every application for a grant will be different. In most cases, you’ll have to come up with some sort of proposal that outlines what you plan to do on your trip, as well as what you think you’ll gain. Do some research into the background of the organization you’re applying to, then cater your aims to mirror their mission and goals.

Some organizations will require an in-person interview or presentation of your proposal. From there, it’s just a waiting game to see whether you get the grant.

What Are My Other Options?

The grant isn’t the be all, end all of travel funding. In fact, there are multiple ways to see the world without breaking the bank , and some may fit your bill better than an educational or research grant.

For example, many people travel abroad to teach English as a second language. Countries like Spain and South Korea have programs that only require you to be a native speaker. You can then live, work and get paid abroad, which gives you an immersive cultural experience and the chance to travel with a sizable income.

Some charities allow you to volunteer abroad, while you can also take on odd jobs such as farming to see other pockets of the globe for free. In many cases, you’ll have to fund your flight, but your host will take care of the room and board, saving you big overall.

No matter how you make it happen, one thing is for sure: travel is one of life’s most rewarding experiences. If you want to learn more about the world — and yourself — a travel grant might be the way to do it.

About the Author:

Related Posts

“There are three things in the world that deserve no mercy, hypocrisy, fraud and tyranny.” – Frederick William Robertson You’re on vacation in a foreign country. You check in to the hotel, leave your luggage in your room, grab the most needful items and go sightseeing. There’s so much to investigate! Once you’re out, you notice a souvenir shop with cute backpacks. “I need to have one,” you think. In this very moment, you remind yourself you’ve only US dollars in your purse. “Right. I need to find a currency exchange.” You look around, notice at least three, and choose…

Traveling abroad and experiencing great adventures don’t have to be costly. For my last travel, I went to the Indonesian Jungle to live with a local family in a homestay. At first, I was very afraid that 6 weeks may be a long time for such an extreme change of cultures. But rest assured, it was the best travel experience I ever had at a very affordable price. Homestay Normally I book my stays through Airbnb or simple hotels. This was the first time I actually went for a homestay and it had many advantages, apart from being very inexpensive.

Traveling can leave a lasting impression on your mind, whether it is a trip to the nearest woods or across the seven seas. However, getting the most out of your travel requires staying healthy, planning, and budgeting. Here’s 5 tips to stay in shape when traveling. Using a bullet journal is the smartest way to achieve more with less in this regard. You would find it very useful and flexible especially if you are planning a long-term journey. Consider adding the following points in your bullet journal to make your trip an awesome encounter. Itineraries One of the first things…

Sometimes the most difficult part of the fundraising process is saying thank you. How do you do it? A song? A crocheted scarf? Maybe you’re not too fond of your singing-voice, but your crochet-skills are on-point. Maybe you like paint and want to create portraits of all your donors. Or maybe you simply want to say thanks in person over a nice dinner. There are numerous ways to thank donors, and the style is up to you! No matter what you think would work best, be sure to say thank you somehow. Sure, a donation is a no-strings-attached way to…

Crowdfunding is a great tool for getting the money you need to travel. Whether you want to take a bucket list trip, travel abroad to study, or volunteer your time in another place, there are people who are willing to help you reach your goal. The only thing you have to do – is to start a campaign. Nowadays there are numerous platforms that allow doing that but you have to keep in mind, that this is not as easy as it might seem. With that being said, here are 5 things that might ruin your travel crowdfunding campaign: Not…

In the past, it was possible for travelers to save on flights by flying out on Tuesdays or switching to smaller airports. With changing airline pricing methods, it’s now more difficult for travelers to save on flight tickets using the same traditional methods. I have been traveling to global tourist destinations for years and have used multiple tricks to cut cost on flights. If you are a budget traveler and traveling with cheap flight tickets is all you want, then you’re sure to love what I have to share with you through my experience as a traveler. Manic Mondays Most…

A comfy bed, fluffy towels, and plenty of free soap; sometimes you just need the comforts of a nice hotel room. Even if you’re used to staying in hostels or AirBnB accommodation, there are places that they are just not available or can be difficult to book last minute. But with average daily rates climbing every year, it can seem silly to spend a lot of money on a room you probably won’t be spending that much time in if you’re out exploring all day. Take a look at the following tips on what to look for and what to…

When you’re on a budget, it’s hard to get to do things you enjoy. You’re putting most of your money toward essential purchases like groceries, your gas tank and bills, and a budget means that after you pay for all of those things, you don’t have much money left. While people are going out to the movies and taking road trips, you’re back at home wishing that you could know when you’ll be able to do the same thing. Wish no more! It’s completely possible to travel while you’re on a budget. If you make some adjustments to save even…

Wondering how to get your potential donors excited about your FundMyTravel campaign? Well, worry not! FundMyTravel has created a simple way to get everyone who visits your page pumped to support you and your travels. Here’s the secret: Create donor rewards. These incentives are an easy way to give back to anyone who has funded your travel dream and might convince Aunt Susie to bump up her donation level a notch. Check out these seven examples of awesome donor rewards – feel free to copy them for your campaign or get inspired to create your own! 1. Hello from (your…

So you’ve got the travel bug and are itching to see everything our beautiful planet has to offer. One of the major constraints on where we can go to experience something new, exotic, and exciting is cost and our budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to explore that don’t cost the earth and offer budget-conscious travelers an array of beauty, culture, and novelty. One such region is Southeast Asia which is home to a vast wealth of travel experiences whether you are backpacking, a solo female traveler, or a student. Anyone at all can enjoy the sights, smells, and…

Planning a trip to South Africa? If you’re looking for the best accommodation while you’re staying in this wonderful place, then this article is for you. After a long day exploring the vast forest and safaris, or sight-seeing the gatherings of animals in the wild, or swimming in the turquoise-colored water on the beach, or hiking on the world-renowned beauty of Table mountain – you need a place to stay to ensure you will be ready for the next day of exploration in South Africa. Let’s discover where you should stay with this list of top 5 accommodation in South…

While you’re in college, there are plenty of things you have on your plate to do or prepare for. There are full-time courses to worry about and potentially a job you might work to help pay the many expensive fees school brings. Even while you’re handling all that college is putting on your schedule, you can still have big dreams and goals you want to accomplish. If one of those dreams is traveling, you’re in luck. There are ways you can still go to your favorite destinations while you’re in school. You won’t be set back in your course schedule,…

Thinking about working abroad?  Well, you are gearing up to join a cohort of 244 million people who are already working outside their home country, and this number is increasing year after year. For years, people have looked up to the United States as an ideal career destination. While the ‘American Dream’ still lives on, several others countries have gained immense popularity in the past few years among migrants. Countries like Canada, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia are some of the current hotspots of the global workforce. While it is an amazing experience to live in a different culture, the…

Raising money in the modern age is a lot simpler than finding investors or getting a loan from the bank.  All you need is an account on a crowdfunding site and a good story, and if you’re lucky, the funds will start pouring in. It’s become a popular way to fund trips across the country and around the world. It’s also an old trend — just look at Christopher Columbus’ 7 Tips On How To Crowdfund Your Travels, who crowdfunded his way across the Atlantic Ocean. If you’ve managed to successfully crowdfund your latest trip, what is the next step?…

The thing about travel is that it doesn’t matter where you go, each place you visit will provide a different experience that isn’t easy to put into words. Unfortunately, it might feel like you’ve been back home only a few weeks before the memories begin to fade. The good news is that if you find meaningful ways to commemorate your trip, you can make these recollections last as long as you want. Here is how you can do this: Take Expressive Pictures Now, something you are guaranteed to do while traveling is to take lots of pictures. However, if you…

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Travel grants for early career researchers

Confirm delete.

Delete this user?

© 2020 ECRcentral. The content is licensed under Creative Commons BY 4.0. ECRcentral is developed with ♥ by eLife Ambassadors.

• College Study Abroad

GAIN Travel Grant

Affording Travel For Study Abroad Just Got Easier

Cost should not be an obstacle to study abroad

High need students can receive a GAIN Travel Grant up to $1,500 when they complete their CIEE Scholarships and Grants application by our published deadlines. 

Semester/Quarter Programs: Up to $1,500 toward airfare  Summer and Single Block Programs: $500 toward airfare

The Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Travel Grant provides funds for flights to and from CIEE programs. To apply :

• Students upload their FAFSA Student Aid Report
• Submit a CIEE Scholarships and Grants application by October 15 (spring programs), or by April 1 (summer and fall programs). 

Students with an EFC of 10,000 or less are guaranteed a GAIN Travel Grant if they meet the criteria above.

Note: Students with an EFC higher than 10,000 are still encouraged to apply.  Consideration of these students will depend on whether funding is still available after the deadlines listed above. The GAIN Grant is a credit with our partner travel agency for airfare only and has no cash value.  If your institution covers your flights, you are not eligible for a GAIN Travel Grant.

© 2024 CIEE. All Rights Reserved.

• Privacy Notice
• Terms & Conditions

clock This article was published more than  2 years ago

8 ways to find free or subsidized travel in 2022

Grants, teaching programs and seasonal jobs can help unattached travelers looking to fund their adventures

Even if you’re backpacking on a shoestring budget or hostel-hopping through Europe, you have to spend money to travel. There’s the price of eating and sleeping on the road, plus the financial toll of leaving your job, children, pets or other responsibilities behind.

Fortunately for people with flexibility in their schedules — and even more flexibility with their relationships — there are ways to finagle free (or even paid) travel, particularly for artists, scuba divers, animal lovers, teachers and lucky contest winners.

There’s always a catch, of course, whether it’s working your way through a trip or producing something to show from your experience by the end.

Here are eight ways to see the world on someone else’s dime.

You tested positive in a foreign country. Here’s what you should do.

Sign up to be a sitter

Have you always dreamed of visiting Boston but can’t afford a hotel? Do you want access to the slopes of Tahoe without paying peak-season rates? Generally responsible people can find gigs caring after homes and pets. Companies like Nomador and TrustedHousesitters connect people who love to travel with people who need help looking after their homes or pets in exchange for room and board. There are blogs dedicated to this lifestyle for people looking to learn more about the opportunity before jumping into a trip.

Apply for a travel grant

Just like scientists who apply for research funding, you can try to get a grant to sponsor your travel goals. Scoring one is tough, as not many exist, and many people want free travel.

One way to find them is by entering terms like “grant” or “travel grant” into a search engine alongside topics that relate to your job, interests or field of study.

For example, a quick search of “scuba diving grant” will pull up more than $500,000 in grants and scholarships for divers, according to the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. Try “grants for hikers,” and you will find options such as the American Alpine Club’s McNeill-Nott Award , offering $5,000 a year to female amateur climbers and alpinists (applications are open Oct. 1 through Dec. 31).

There are also widely known grants, such as the Fulbright-National Geographic fellowship that offers U.S. students a paid year of “storytelling on a globally significant theme.” Grantees — or “storytellers” — get standard Fulbright benefits covering travel, health care and a general stipend, plus a reporting allowance and additional materials. They will also get instruction on storytelling techniques by National Geographic staff before they start their adventure. They will have the chance to pitch stories for the publication’s platforms. Although applications are closed for the 2022-2023 competition, you can apply for the 2023-2024 year when applications open this April .

Adventure awaits in Central America. Now it just needs tourists to return.

Teach English

An old-school route for travelers is to become an English teacher abroad. A good place to start your search for opportunities is TEFL, a membership network that provides accreditation and offers a connection to more than 30,000 employers, according to its website. Members can access jobs around the world, whether they want to work four hours a day in Moscow or full time in Santiago, Chile.

Another route is online teaching. Because of the pandemic, there are more online English teaching jobs that could enable you to work from anywhere you would like to travel. Teachers with Magic Ears earn between $22 and $26 per hour, for example.

A viral TikTok showed how to get $1,000 if you’re bumped from a flight. We unpack that.

Study microelectronics from an RV

Roadtrip Nation is sending three people on a three-week RV trip across the country in the name of microelectronics. They are looking for applicants who want to pursue a career focused on microelectronics, semiconductors and microchips, so if you’re into AI or adaptive manufacturing, this gig is for you.

The trip — set to begin in May, although it could get shifted depending on the pandemic — will be filmed, resulting in a documentary that may end up shown on public television. All expenses will be covered, and road trippers will also get a daily stipend. Applications are due Feb. 6 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.

Become an ‘artist-in-residence’

For the creative set, one opportunity for free or subsidized travel is an artist residency.

The National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF) lists opportunities that support visual artists, writers, musicians, and other creatives, typically for about two to four weeks. One such gig is the Death Valley National Park artist-in-residency program that has two residencies each year. Artists get a $3,000 stipend and are housed (and fed) in a hotel right inside the park.

For writers, there is the chance to stay in a “poet’s cottage” in Central Pennsylvania through the Philip Roth Residence in Creative Writing . The program gives recipients four months of time to work, plus a stipend of $5,000. Applicants must be writing their first or second book of fiction or creative nonfiction. The deadline for applications is Feb. 1.

Retreat to Peterborough, N.H., for the MacDowell program, which invites emerging and established artists and provides accommodations, use of a studio and three prepared meals per day for as many as six weeks. Applicants must work in disciplines including architecture, film or video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theater and visual arts. The deadline for fall residency applications is Feb. 10.

Traveling to Europe? What to know about 5 countries during omicron.

Become a flight attendant

Should a career change suit you, you may want to consider becoming a flight attendant. With airlines’ labor shortage and staffing issues, many are hiring flight attendants — and offering bonuses and extra pay — to make sure flights can take off on schedule. And, obviously, the job is all about travel.

Several big names are hiring right now, including American Airlines , United and Delta . But there are flight attendant openings from lesser-known regional and corporate carriers, too.

How 3 travelers with disabilities or chronic illness navigate the world

Find a seasonal job

Like airlines, tourist destinations have been hurting for staff throughout the pandemic. Cool Works is a seemingly endless portal of seasonal jobs that appeal to travel lovers, including operating a gondola at a Telluride ski resort, becoming a chef right outside a national park or tending to a historic Cape Cod inn . The website features openings in categories broken down by type of job — brewery, winery and distillery, camp jobs or general labor, for example — as well as season or location, help wanted now, interesting regions and more.

If you have dreamed of shadowing a pasta maker in Italy or learning about permaculture in Malawi , you can also pick up short-term gigs working just about anywhere in the world through WWOOF, the Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Founded in 1871, the organization features opportunities in more than 130 countries. WWOOF’s mission is to connect travelers with organic farmers in the spirit of cultural and educational exchange while promoting good farming and sustainability practices.

Apply to live rent-free in Sicily

In its latest marketing stunt, Airbnb is offering one lucky applicant the opportunity to spend a year rent-free in the rural village of Sambuca in Sicily. The concept was inspired by Sambuca’s 2019 “1 Euro House” campaign that aimed to solve the town’s declining population problem by enticing new investments through cheap real estate. If you win, you will have to list one of the rooms of the house on Airbnb. You may also be able to learn Italian through a mentorship program.

More spring travel tips

Trends: Cheaper spring break | Cool all-inclusives | Let ChatGPT plan your day | Is it safe to go to Mexico? | Book a free night in Sicily

The basics: Tip without cash | Traveling with kids | Decide where to stay | A pre-trip checklist of house chores | How to get your passport | Plan a ski trip | Eat without feeling terrible | Budget for your next trip | Plan a cheaper Disney trip

Flying: Fly like a decent human being | How to set airfare price alerts | Flying with an injury | PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR | Can I fly with weed? | AirTag your luggage | Airport parking 101 | Deal with airport crowds | Why Stalk airfare after booking

Driving: 9 tips for road tripping with a baby | Try the Airbnb of rental cars | Rent an EV | Do I need an international license to drive abroad? | Avoid big rental car fees

Greener travel: Bike to the airport | How environmentalists travel | How to find ‘greener’ flights | Make your travel better for the planet

Pets: How to travel with pets | Why the pet fee? | Pet flying 101 | Alternatives to flying with your pet

In case of emergency: Manage airport disasters | Your flight is canceled | How to get a human on the phone | What to do if your car gets stuck | Find your lost luggage | How to get a refund for a canceled flight | Deal with a bad hotel room | When you’re bumped off your flight | If you get rebooked without your family | What are my rebooking rights? | Recover a lost item at TSA, the airport or your flight

Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies

Research Travel Grants for Graduate Students

Do you need to travel internationally for your short-term 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. 

Two-Time Recipient: Research in New Delhi

Requirements 

• Travel grants cover international airfare for activities directly related to the student’s dissertation or thesis research.
• The awards do not fund travel to international conferences or expenses other than international airfare.
• Travel must originate and end in the United States.
• Minimum stay abroad is 14 days, and maximum stay is six months.
• Awards are based on the proposal submitted at the time of application.
• Travel must take place between May 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025, and cannot be funded retroactively. 

International Travel Approval

Due to the high rate of vaccination among the Cornell community, the university is relaxing some of the COVID-19 travel restrictions. However, all students must register their travel in the Travel Registry and follow the guidelines .

Graduate and professional students do not need to petition for travel to CDC  or Department of State 1, 2, or 3 level countries. Travel to level 4 countries must be approved by the International Travel Advisory & Response Team (ITART).

To receive the award, selected students must follow the university’s guidelines to  petition for permission to travel internationally , to be submitted no earlier than six weeks and at least two weeks before the scheduled travel. In addition, students must participate in a short, online international travel predeparture orientation course in order to receive travel approval.

Please be aware that regardless of your destination, approval may be withdrawn if there is a change in the risk level of your destination or if we find you violate any contingencies of approval given. In such instances, you will be required to refund the award.

Applications Open

November 13, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. ET. 

March 8, 2024  at 12:00 p.m. ET. 

Up to $2,000. 

Eligibility

Graduate students or students enrolled in Cornell’s professional schools are eligible, with the following exceptions:

Students graduating in May 2024

• Students who have not used 2023 awards

Email the Einaudi Center ( [email protected] ). 

If I received an Einaudi Center International Research Travel Grant award in 2023, will I be able to bank the award and reapply in 2024?

When do i need to complete travel if i received a 2023 award, if i apply and receive an award in 2024, when will i be able to begin travel, additional information, funding type.

• Travel Grant

Comparative Muslim Societies Program

East Asia Program

Institute for African Development

Institute for European Studies

Latin American and Caribbean Studies

Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies

South Asia Program

Southeast Asia Program