Program Overview

Expanding Horizons Fellowship Program

The Expanding Horizons Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to conduct research-related travel that will benefit local communities connected to their research while expanding their knowledge and experience.

Eligibility

• All Rice graduate students participating in research are encouraged to apply.
• Awardees must be in good standing with the University as well as their department.
• Undergraduate students should contact the Center for Civic Leadership regarding the undergraduate process for the Loewenstern award.

Application Information

• Each application can only be for one round-trip, as the research funded by the award is meant to impact a local community.
• Graduate students may submit multiple applications if they have multiple trips planned within the award period.
• Students should note within the application if one trip is more essential to their research than another.
• After an award notice has been issued, students will need to request their cash advance from their department at least one month before travel.

Application Elements

• Expanding Horizons Fellowship Agreement Form: Review and submit the signed agreement form as part of the application.
• Project Narrative: A one-page proposal narrative should address the purpose of the travel/research, how the project will impact the local community, how it will impact graduate studies at Rice, and how the knowledge gained will be applied to future research.
• Budget: Include a budget proposal (1-2 pages) outlining what the funding will be used for, prepared in consultation with the department chair or director of graduate studies and advisor.

Budget Requirements

• Format budget expenditures as a table.
• Include all allowable travel expenses.
• Provide a justification/explanation for each line item.
• Note that unallowable expenses will not be eligible for submission against the cash advance.

Reporting

• All students awarded Expanding Horizons funding are required to produce a final report about their experience within 4 weeks of their return.

Travel Expectations

• Travel is expected to occur by November 2026 (or before the defense date, whichever comes first).
• Travel should follow the University's travel policy at the time of travel.
• Students should review Policy 852 and the Traveling Abroad website from Risk Management, as well as any departmental resources.
• If planning to conduct human subjects research, students are expected to review Rice policies and seek IRB approval.

Funding

• Funding decisions will be made to maximize the return on investment of the available funding.
• Proposals focusing only on higher dollar categories will have a lower likelihood of being funded and will not be eligible for lower-level amounts not outlined in the application.

Application Deadline

• The Fall application deadline is October 24, 2025.