Since funds for student travel are limited, students are highly encouraged to submit for approval of the Robert O’Shea Travel Award prior to submitting an abstract to a conference.

• Applicants should be current EEH PhD or MS students, with PhD students having successfully passed their preliminary examinations and MS students must be in the final year of their program.
• Funds are limited to support students who have an accepted presentation (poster or oral presentation) at a meeting. Research presented at the meeting must be directly related to the applicant’s EEH dissertation/thesis.
• Ideally, submissions for approval of the Robert O’Shea Travel Award should occur prior to abstract deadline, however, submission can occur after the abstract is submitted but before travel to the conference. Submission for this travel award after the abstract presentation has occurred is not allowed.
• Students can apply for the Robert O’Shea Travel Award for a conference occurring up to 6 months after graduation. Applications must be submitted prior to degree conferral and include a clear justification for the use of travel funds for a post-graduation conference.
• PhD students are eligible to receive the award up to twice, and MS students may receive it once.

Please note that receipt of the award is contingent on both the quality of scientific work and availability of departmental funds. Rules for abstract submission described above apply.

Important: Students who receive the award will be provided with information regarding UB travel guidelines and the travel reimbursement process by an EEH department administrator, which includes obtaining official pre-approval for travel BEFORE making travel arrangements. It is the awardee’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the policies and processes, receive travel pre-approval, and submit travel expenses for reimbursement. The department cannot cover items such as tax, liquor or upgrades (hotel, air, transportation). Failure to follow travel guidelines may result in expenses not being reimbursed. Questions regarding travel guidelines should be directed to an EEH department administrator prior to incurring expenses.

Funding is NOT guaranteed and depends on availability of funds in the Department and the number of requests received in any one year.

Preferably, applicants propose collaborating with a SPHHP faculty member on a project with global health significance. Application to the program will be competitive and will be based on the submission of the following required items:

• A 1-page research summary which should include a description of the study, the aims of the study, a proposed action plan and timeline, and a description of how the project contributes to global health knowledge.
• The applicant’s CV which should include academic achievements, relevant job experiences, awards, honors, etc.
• A project budget (for international travel only), including estimated expenditures for travel and lodging.
• A faculty recommendation form, available on request, to be completed by the advising/mentoring faculty member and submitted by the faculty to the OGHI staff. 

Students applying for conference travel funding must submit the following information:

• Confirmation of their abstract’s acceptance for an oral or poster presentation at a major international conference
• A short statement (not more than 1 page) detailing how their participation at the conference will enhance their education and global helath knowledge
• The applicant’s CV which should include academic achievements, relevant job experiences, awards, honors, etc.
• A faculty recommendation form, available on request, to be completed by the advising/mentoring faculty member and submitted by the faculty to the OGHI staff. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until April 10, 2026, and will be reviewed upon receipt. All application materials should be emailed to Jennifer Foster (fosterj@buffalo.edu). Incomplete applications will not be considered.