CAS Honors Research Travel Award Program
**NOTE: The CAS Honors Research Travel Award is no longer accepting applications for Summer 2025.**
The CAS Honors Research Travel Award program funds grants of up to $1,000 for travel to conduct research by advanced undergraduates pursuing the B.A. with honors in any College of Arts & Sciences major. These awards recognize outstanding student scholars and enable them to execute Senior Honors Projects that require travel in the course of research. The specific purpose of the travel may be any kind of fieldwork required for the project, including activities such as consulting archival or library materials, conducting interviews, collecting data of any sort, attending performances, exhibitions, or other cultural events, or working with scholars in the relevant field. Up to 10 Honors Scholar Research Travel grants will be awarded each year.
Honors research travel may be scheduled for any point during the student’s junior or senior year or the intervening summer, provided that the student has an approved Honors Project proposal on file in his or her major department. The best time for research travel will vary by field and by project. Each student works with the faculty mentor supervising his/her Honors Project to formulate an overall research plan and timeline where the benefits of research travel can be most fully realized in the final thesis or paper.
These awards are restricted to travel for the purpose of conducting honors research. Students whose projects entail costs for a) research supplies (books, subscriptions, software, consumables, etc.) or b) travel to professional meetings to present results may apply for funding in those categories to BU’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The Student Academic Enhancement Fund (SAEF) can also provide funding for travel to professional meetings in which the applicant is presenting or has a leadership role.
Featured Honors Research Travel Award Recipients
Yangduoduo Luo (CAS ‘25), a psychology major, traveled to Philadelphia to present her research on how state and trait rumination are associated with forms of irritability. Through this convention, she attended sessions on behavioral and cognitive therapies, allowing her to explore the latest advancements in the field. She also refined her ability to communicate complex research ideas by presenting her own findings. 
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major Sophia Rosan (CAS ‘25) flew to San Diego, California where she attended the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Kidney Week conference. At the conference, Sophia presented her research on the relationship between uric acid and podocyte health in patients with biopsy-confirmed kidney disease. She received feedback from numerous physicians, researchers, and fellow students, all while enjoying the architectural beauty of San Diego. 
Yasmine Vakili (CAS ‘25), an International Relations major, visited the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., where she gained access to numerous primary documents that would support her research on Turkey’s current policy decisions regarding Syrian refugees. Her archival research focused on Mark Bristol, a U.S. High Commissioner stationed in Turkey from 1919 to 1927. Through this research, she uncovered how modern Turkey maintains Ottoman-era beliefs about population control, connecting to the present treatment of Syrian refugees. 
Anthropology major Jonathan Zhang (CAS ‘25) traveled to Springfield, Massachusetts to attend and present his thesis at the New England Psychological Association (NEPA). He shared his research on how post-combat purification rituals in pre-industrial societies may help mitigate symptoms of PTSD and support veterans’ reintegration. At the conference, Jonathan engaged with fellow students and researchers, entering discussions about his field of interest and offering a new perspective on clinical psychology through cross-cultural studies. 
Nicholas Robichaux (CAS ‘2025), a History major, visited Cornell University’s Rare and Manuscript Collections to conduct research on the influence of LGBTQ+ organizations on American foreign policy. His findings highlighted the dedication, intelligence, and hard work of early LGBTQ+ leaders in successfully advocating for positive changes in American foreign policy. During his visit, Nicholas formed valuable connections with the archivists at Cornell, who were incredibly kind and knowledgeable. He also developed a newfound appreciation for New York’s wildlife and waterfalls.
Who Can Apply for Honors Research Travel Grants?
All CAS juniors and seniors with an approved proposal for a Senior Honors Project on file in their major department are eligible. Preference will normally be given to students who have not previously won an Honors Research Travel Award or similar travel grant.
*As of August 16, 2021, students must be in compliance with the BU COVID-19 vaccine requirement to undertake University-sponsored travel.*
The following guidelines are applied in the allocation of travel funds:
- Local/regional travel: maximum $300 per student
- National travel: maximum $600 per student
- International travel: maximum $1,000 per student
Honors Research travel funds can be used to support the following expenses within reasonable limits:
- Air, train, bus, or taxi fare
- Car rental
- Gas (if traveling by personal vehicle)
- Hotel lodging expenses
- Admission to institutions or events
CAS departments, individual faculty grants, and UROP may also contribute to research travel. If you are requesting or expecting additional travel support from those or other sources, please note this on your application.
How Do You Apply?
**NOTE: The CAS Honors Research Travel Award is no longer accepting applications for Summer 2025.**
When Do You Apply?
Applications are welcome throughout the year and will be reviewed on receipt by the CAS Dean’s Office. However, students must in all cases apply at least one month before they are scheduled to depart. Deadlines are as follows:
- For fall semester travel: mid-September
- For travel during Winter Break: November 1
- For spring semester travel: January 6th
- For summer travel: March 31st
Travel support cannot be provided for travel that has already occurred.
Pre-Departure Steps for International Travelers
- Student researchers will need to register their travel with the Office of Global Programs
- Student researchers will work with the CAS Dean’s Office to procure proper insurance (to be provided by the College in some cases)
- Student researchers will attend a pre-departure meeting with the Office of Global Programs
For Student Applicants and Recipients of Honors Research Travel Awards
These awards are competitive and represent a special mark of recognition by the College of Arts & Sciences. Recipients may be recognized in CAS publications and on the CAS website. Students are encouraged to cite their Honors Research Travel Award on the acknowledgments page of their honors thesis and any resulting publications, in keeping with the best scholarly practices. After completing their funded travel, recipients will be asked by the CAS Dean’s Office to submit a one- to two-page report or short photo/video essay documenting their research travel and how it contributed to their Honors Project.
For Faculty Supervising the Honors Projects of Student Applicants and Awardees
You will be asked to certify the quality of the research project, the appropriateness and necessity of the travel, and the likelihood that the student will carry out the project to the highest standards. You will also be required to work with the student to ensure that the expenditure of any funds awarded is fully appropriate.
Questions?
Please address any questions to sjarvi@bu.edu.
Last updated: March 2025