Want to travel abroad this summer … for free?
Check out the Vredenburg Travel Fund!
Information Session
The Vredenburg 2022 Information Session has been pre-recorded for easier accessibility. You may view the session here.
(some recipients not pictured)
The Vredenburg Travel Fund offers strong Johns Hopkins engineering students the opportunity to apply their engineering, technology, and applied science skills and training in an international setting. The Fund encourages engineering majors of any discipline to broaden their engineering experience by giving them the chance to participate in international experiential activities through collaboration, investigation, and application.
Current engineering sophomores and juniors may apply to for the Vredenburg Travel Fund by proposing an international experience in the form of:
- Research
- Internship (paid or unpaid) OR
- Service Project
(The Vredenburg Travel Fund does not cover traditional “study abroad” experiences.)
Projects can be funded to a maximum of $8,000; the typical range of the Vredenburg Travel Fund is between $5,000 and $7,500, depending on the location of the experience. The Fund covers airfare, housing, food, and other reasonable expenses associated with the international experience. Financial need will not be a factor in selection of the recipients and funding of the proposals. However, students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for an additional stipend upon return.
How to Apply
Applications for the Vredenburg Travel Fund are available solely online. Please use the links below to submit your application. IMPORTANT NOTE: you should submit the Host & Faculty Recommendation Contact Information Form as soon as you have identified those individuals*. Do not wait to submit that portion of the application until the day of the deadline. Once you submit their contact information, Vredenburg will contact the individuals directly to complete the Host Commitment form and Faculty Recommendation form. They must submit their forms by the deadline in order for your application to be eligible. Please review the Vredenburg Project Application Information & Guidelines (see below) to learn what is required for the application process in more detail.
*If you are applying to a separate program (e.g. DAAD/RISE, EWH Summer Institute, etc.) that you believe qualifies for the Vredenburg Travel Fund, you must identify an individual from the organization/program who can serve as the “host” and who is willing to complete the Host Commitment Form. On the form, this individual will need to indicate that you have applied to the program and will be notified of your acceptance in the “host” program no later than the third week of March. Likewise, if you are applying to one of the programs/exchange partnerships that the Global Education Office (GEO) supports, a representative from GEO should complete the Host Commitment form.
Timeline
- 4th Friday in February – Applications (all components) are due by 11:59 p.m. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- 3rd Friday in March– All applicants will be notified of results by 5:00 p.m.
- Early April – Budgets are reviewed and finalized.
Applicants are encouraged to make alternate summer plans in the event that they are not awarded support from the Vredenburg Travel Fund.
Undergraduate International Travel Policy:
We are following the university’s guidelines which currently support limited international travel. Please note, however, since the COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting the world, the Vredenburg Travel Fund may have to be suspended and/or postponed at any point. It is important that applicants have “back-up” or alternative summer plans just in case.
Johns Hopkins University does not permit undergraduates to travel for university affiliated purposes (e.g. study abroad, research, independent study, internships, field work, etc.) or to use university funding for international travel to “high risk areas” as determined by the Department of State (DOS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), University Risk Management, or other university international travel consultants. This includes countries under a Level 3 (reconsider travel) or 4 (do not travel) advisory with the U.S. DOS/CDC. The university will consider petitions for travel to Level 3 destinations on a case-by-case basis, but not for Level 4 destinations. See the JHU Undergraduate International Travel Policy for more information.
Because the world has not fully rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage students to select programs available through the Global Education Office’s program database. If you identify an opportunity on your own, it will need to be vetted and approved by the Global Education Office before you can proceed with your Vredenburg application. To schedule an appointment with a Global Education Office advisor, please email [email protected]. The office provides both in-person and virtual advising appointments every weekday.
Tips
Due to the extra constraints on international travel due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, applicants are encouraged to frequently check the US Department of State’s Travel Advisories. Countries labeled “Level 4” will not be entertained as proposed locations for support by the Vredenburg Travel Fund. Additionally, it will be important to see what, if any, type of visa, COVID-19 vaccination proof, and any other documentation may be needed depending on the proposed project location. It is advised that these things be worked on ASAP as there have been delays in processing.
Additional Questions
If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] to speak with the Vredenburg Travel Fund Coordinator. Additionally, feel free to contact previous recipients (see below) to learn about their experiences.
Previous Recipients
*JHU suspended all travel for Summer 2020 and Summer 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.