The Harvard Global Health Institute equips Harvard undergraduates to tackle diverse global health challenges through critical thinking and active engagement. Collaborating with university departments and global partners, HGHI provides unique learning opportunities, fostering a global community through coursework, research, internships, and workshops, preparing the next generation of global health practitioners and leaders.
Student Engagement
Funding for Independent Projects and Student-Arranged Internships
The Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) provides funding for independent, student-arranged research projects and internships. Proposals can encompass both domestic and international initiatives, with funding for travel and living expenses being assessed accordingly.
If you have questions about our Summer Internships, please email HGHI_StudentEngagement@harvard.edu.
The deadline to apply for Independent Funding is March 15th, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET.
Areas Eligible for Independent Funding
Funding is available to support students in the following areas:
- Independent Projects: projects with global health-focused organizations, faculty-mentored projects, or general research projects in the global health field.
- Internships: internships with global health-focused organizations that the student has secured independently (without the assistance of HGHI).
- Thesis Research: Students can use the funding to conduct research activities necessary to complete their thesis on a global health-related topic.
Please refer to the Application Instructions for more details. Students who have applied to an external organization but have not yet been accepted should still apply for HGHI funding before the application deadline. Funding may be awarded on a conditional basis pending acceptance.
Criteria for Independent Funding
To qualify for funding, the project or student-arranged internship must address a significant challenge or opportunity within the field of global health. This means the project or host organization should focus on issues that are critical to improving health outcomes on a global scale.
Key Aspects to Consider When Developing a Project
Identify Critical Issues
The project or host organization should align with HGHI’s Focus Areas:
- Climate, Environment, and Health
- Digital Transformation
- Infectious Diseases
- Mental Health
- Global Health Security
- Health Justice
Global Context
While the project or internship may be based locally or in another country, its outcomes or work should have relevance or applicability in a broader global context. Priority will be given to projects that focus on two or more countries or geographic regions.
Potential for Impact
The work should have clear goals indicating how it will lead to measurable improvements in health outcomes, policy, or best practices. Projects with the potential to influence public health guidelines, enhance healthcare delivery, or inform policy discussions are particularly valuable.
FAQs
Can freshmen apply for these opportunities?
All returning Harvard College undergraduates are eligible to apply for independent funding.
Do I need to be a Global Health & Health Policy secondary field student to apply?
You do not need to be a GHHP secondary field student to apply. These internships are funded through Harvard Global Health Institute (HGHI) and any returning Harvard undergraduates in good standing may apply.
Can I apply if I am on leave?
You are welcome to apply for funding while you are on leave as long as you are in good standing, are planning to return in the fall and receive Ad Board approval. Here’s a link to more information about the petition process.
If I have received funding from HGHI in the past, am I still eligible to apply for more funding?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply for funding even if you have received funding in the past.
Can I receive additional funding?
HGHI and other funding centers at Harvard aim to distribute summer funding across the undergraduate community. Therefore, students who receive HGHI funding may not accept any additional funding for their internship or research project. Students are prohibited from accepting more than one substantial Harvard-funded summer opportunity each summer. Students must disclose if they are receiving Harvard funding for any other projects at any point throughout the summer, the amount of the award, and the dates of the other project as soon as possible. HGHI reserves the right to modify awards accordingly. Failure to promptly report other Harvard-funded summer activities may be reported to the Administrative Board.
Am I eligible to apply for independent funding for a volunteer position or an opportunity that is shorter than 8 weeks?
All independent funding proposals should be for projects that are a minimum of 8 weeks long. If you would like to apply for independent funding for a volunteer opportunity or independent experiences related to Global Health that is less than 8 weeks long, please email HGHI_StudentEngagement@harvard.edu before submitting an application.
Are there restrictions regarding where I can travel for an independent project?
There are rules governing which countries students can travel to with Harvard funding. Here is a link to Harvard’s Global Support Services (GSS) page with the rules, and the country rankings are available here. Funding cannot be provided for “High Risk” countries, and while travel is not prohibited to “Elevated Risk” countries, there are extra precautions that you would need to take before traveling.
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