GHI Travel Award
Center for Global Health
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
645. N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1058
Chicago, IL 60611
tel: +1 312 503 8829
fax: +1 312 503 8800
d-young@northwestern.edu
Quick Link: GHI Application
For FSM medical students and McGaw residents wishing to pursue a primary care rotation or related project in a medically underserved area abroad, funding is available through the Global Health Initiative (GHI), established by Chicago Lake Shore Medical Associates (CLSMA).
The mission of The Global Health Initiative is to provide resources for Northwestern University medical students and McGaw residents for global health educational experiences, enabling them to have impactful training experiences in underserved areas of the world while encouraging the education and proliferation of primary care physicians. Funded applicants will support the mission of the GHI by completing sustainable primary care projects and rotations in underserved areas in partnership with local organizations and universities.
For a complete list of the Feinberg School of Medicine's international affiliations and partner universities, health clinics and INGOs, please visit our medical education home page. Please note that GHI funding does not apply to all FSM affiliated sites.
Eligibility
Any Feinberg medical student in good academic standing and McGaw resident who wishes to complete a rotation at one of the affiliated FSM universities or clinics or at unaffiliated universities, clinics, or non-profit organizations that are approved by FSM and the Center for Global Health are eligible. Medical students are encouraged to identify high-quality global health rotations/programs at universities and organizations that provide health care in a sustainable and ethical environment. The Global Health Initiative applies only to rotations/programs in resource-limited environments.
FSM students are eligible to receive a maximum of two GHI awards over the course of their education at FSM. Effective June 1, 2012, an exception to this rule would apply to those students who participated in an NU AID's week-long trip to Jamaica or Nicaragua prior to 2011. Any student who received a previous GHI award for a short-term trip would still be eligible for two additional awards for four week rotations as M4s.
The GHI award is contingent upon each student's satisfactory participation in FSM's required pre-departure preparation and evaluation process developed by the Center for Global Health. The full process is outlined CGH's pre-departure preparation page, but it includes three in-person meetings/seminars, an online orientation tool, registration for travel insurance, and submission of the FSM travel waiver and personal health form. Failure to actively participate in and complete the pre-departure preparation process can result in revocation of the award and possible cancelation of the away-rotation at an FSM partner institution.
Criteria and Deadlines
Funds are available for individual students or for medical student organizations, depending on the location, project, or rotation period. All medical student classes are invited to apply. Funding applications may be approved in whole or in part. GHI applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted 60 days before the date of travel. Students who apply for GHI funds on or after their date of travel will not be considered under any circumstances..
Award recipients will be notified within 21 business days of application submission. Any further questions can be directed towards Lauren Oxenhandler, Institute for Public Health and Medicine at lauren.oxenhandler@northwestern.edu or (t) 312-503-8793. Students may not receive funding from more than one source for the same rotation/project at Northwestern University or Feinberg School of Medicine, including but not limited to the Feinberg International Health Fellowship, the Department of Family Medicine, The Graduate School (MPH program) or the Feinberg Travel Award. Students may apply to other FSM funding sources for other unique rotations/projects.
Travel funds may not be deferred and must be used for the intended request listed on the application within that academic year. Students may not receive funding to destinations with a travel warning issued by the U.S. State Department.
How to Apply
The online application will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete once the materials described below are prepared. It is recommended that applicants prepare their answers and materials before beginning the application.
Please note: Students who plan on applying to an unaffiliated university, clinic, or organization should still complete the Center for Global Health application for global health rotations.
Items to prepare in advance:
- A copy of your resume or CV
- Please prepare an itemized budget with your application. Students may use general estimates for airfare, housing, immunizations, visa fees, etc... General estimates are acceptable, Please see the Budget Resource Guide for more specifics.
- Ability to concisely explain the type of experience you will have through one or more of the following competencies:
- Patient-Centered Medical Care
- Effective Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Medical Knowledge and Scholarship
- System Awareness and Team-Based Care
- Personal Awareness and Self-Care
- Community Engagement and Service
- Continuous Learning and Quality Improvement
- Professional Behavior and Moral Reasoning
- Provide a description of your project and/or your clinical rotation, including why this project or rotation supports a medically underserved population
- Provide a description of your current financial needs.
Contact Information
Daniel Young, Associate Director, Global Health Education, Feinberg's Center for Global Health
Email: d-young@northwestern.edu, Phone: 312-503-8829
Lauren Oxenhandler, Project Manager, Institute for Public Health and Medicine
Email: lauren.oxenhandler@northwestern.edu, Phone: 312-503-8793
Applications
All students and student groups should use the following link to apply for the GHI. Previous versions of this application will not be accepted.
This page last updated May 16, 2013