Doctoral Student Travel Grants Program

The 21st Century India Center (21CIC) at the UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy is dedicated to making a profound difference in the lives of others through research and community partnerships designed to create actionable solutions to global challenges now and for future generations. Our mission is to drive the success of India and U.S.-India relations in the 21st century through research, education and action.

21CIC is pleased to offer travel grants to UC San Diego graduate students studying in the fields of economics, political science, and science and technology policy to conduct research in India. These grants are designed to catalyze early stage work that can lead to future research collaborations, studies or data collection in India.

This travel grant opportunity will enable UC San Diego graduate students to lay the groundwork for significant research in India, paving the way for long-term partnerships and initiatives that enhance the academic landscape at UC San Diego and in India. Our ultimate goal is to cultivate a robust research ecosystem on India at UC San Diego, driving innovation and addressing global challenges. We invite innovative proposals that embody the interdisciplinary spirit of the center.

Funding Details

Amount: Up to $5,000 USD per proposal

Deadline: Rolling

Length: Maximum of 3 pages (excluding works cited), with standard spacing and margins. We value clear and concise presentations.

Eligibility and Guidelines

Submissions are open to individuals or teams of students currently enrolled in doctoral programs at UC San Diego. Collaborative team submissions are eligible for consideration if the proposed expenses exceed $5,000 and involve multiple students traveling together to India. Please note that applicants who have not previously been awarded funding from this grant will be prioritized.

Proposal Structure

Your proposal must include the following sections:

Motivation/Research Question(s): Clearly define the purpose of your proposed research and the specific question(s) it aims to address.
Proposed Activities in India: Describe the activities you plan to undertake in India and explain how these activities will contribute to answering your research question(s).
Outcomes of Travel: Provide concrete, short-term outcomes that can be achieved following your travel. These outcomes should be tangible, such as policy memos, data sets, or reflective analysis, and should be capable of being shared with the 21CIC community.
Timeline: Outline a timeline for your travel and research activities, including pre-travel preparations and post-travel follow-up.
Budget: Present a detailed budget plan that justifies the funding amount requested (even if your expenses will exceed $5,000). Be clear about the expenses that the grant will cover.

Outcome Expectations

We recognize that research can be a process with long gestation periods and that initial hypotheses may not always lead to successful outcomes. However, 21CIC is committed to demonstrating the immediate benefits of these exploratory grants. Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and achievable deliverables that will substantiate the value of their research endeavors, regardless of the long-term results.

How to Apply

Submit your proposal in a PDF format to Lisa Patel at lipatel@ucsd.edu with the subject line “21CIC Graduate Student Travel Grant Proposal - Your Name.”

Review Process

Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The selection committee will evaluate proposals based on the clarity of the research question(s), the feasibility and potential impact of the proposed activities and the appropriateness of the budget.

Post-Travel Requirements

Grant recipients are required to submit a short bio, a one-page written report and photos from the field upon completion of their travel, which may be used by 21CIC online and in printed materials.

Contact Information

For any inquiries regarding the grant or application process, please contact Lisa Patel at lipatel@ucsd.edu.