Apply for BLaST Travel Awards

Funding is available for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please contact our office for more information, or check the criteria and links below.

Due to NIH restrictions, foreign travel is not allowable. 

 

I. BACKGROUND

The Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program invites proposals for BLaST Travel Awards. The overarching goal of BLaST is to enhance undergraduate training and mentoring in biomedical research through increased diversity of students, increased integration of research and teaching, and enhanced integration of rural campuses into a cohesive biomedical community in Alaska.

BLaST is funded by the NIH, and the NIH encourages institutions to enhance the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as:

  1.  individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis [Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders];
  2. individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; and,
  3. individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as:
    1. individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds periodically published at and
    2. individuals who come from an educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.

For a complete description of the NIH鈥檚 Interest in Diversity see: 

 

II. ELIGIBILITY

Current Ilisagvik College, Fort Lewis College, Dine College, Salish Kootenai College, Alaska Pacific University, UAS, or 性欲社 students, staff, and faculty from anywhere in Alaska, from all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, are invited to apply. Student applicants must be enrolled full-time.

 

III. AWARD AMOUNT

BLaST Travel Awards cover travel expenses and registration fees up to $2000. Award amounts will vary.

 

IV. PROPOSAL FORMAT AND SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

Applications are accepted any time throughout the year, however, applications MUST BE submitted 4 weeks prior to planned travel. Applications received less than 4 weeks prior to planned travel will not be considered.

Application: 

(BLaST Scholars, please see your RAMP for internal travel application)

 

V. REVIEW PROCEDURES

The BLaST Advisory Committee will review travel proposals. Funding priority will be assigned to travel that directly enhances undergraduate student training opportunities in biomedical research with a special emphasis on students from/in rural Alaska and health-related issues germane to the concerns of rural Alaskans.  Proposals will be evaluated based on the following:

1) purpose of travel (NOTE: there is a preference for travel to mentoring workshops with a focus on undergraduate mentoring in research, or travel to present undergraduate research at conferences);

2) biomedical or One Health relevance of the proposed travel;

3) potential of the proposed travel to build capacity for, or enhance, undergraduate research training; and,

4) written quality of the proposal.

 

VI. AWARD CONDITIONS

Awardees are expected to be active members of the BLaST learning community and must cooperate with BLaST staff to facilitate compliance with all the participant reporting and evaluation requirements of the NIH.  Please use the following link to report information regarding your BLaST travel activities within 14 days after travel completion.

Travel Report (DUE WITHIN TWO WEEKS after your trip): Submit here your (REQUIRED) .