Winter Term International Travel Grant

The Harvard Law School Winter Term International Travel Grant supports eligible J.D. and LL.M. students undertaking approved clinical, research, or writing projects requiring travel outside the United States during Winter Term in January 2027. Applications are submitted through the CARAT system, with deadlines varying by student program.

Who Can Apply

• Students enrolled as J.D. or LL.M. students at Harvard Law School during the January 2027 Winter Term.
• Students approved for a clinical project or registered for a Winter Term research or writing project requiring travel outside the United States.
• Applicants who submit the Winter Term International Travel Grant Application and all required attachments through CARAT.
• Applicants who demonstrate that international travel is critical to completing the proposed project and provide a clear methodology or work plan.
• Applicants who provide strong faculty support for the proposed project.

Fields of Study

Law, international law, comparative law, human rights, law and development, environmental law, technology, international business and trade, and related legal research or clinical areas.

Value

• Typical grants range from $1,000 to $2,500 per qualifying student.
• For Winter Term in January 2026, the average grant offered was $1,600.
• Grant awards will not exceed the anticipated eligible expenses stated in the application.
• Funding may support necessary and verifiable project expenses such as travel and lodging.
• Funding sources coordinated through the program include Cravath International Fellowships, East Asian Legal Studies, the Human Rights Program, Reginald F. Lewis Internship Grants, Mead Cross Cultural Stipends, and Andrew B. Steinberg Scholarships.

Selection Criteria

• The academic merit of the proposed project in comparison with other applications.
• Whether the proposed international travel is critical to completing the project.
• The quality and clarity of the proposed methodology and work plan.
• Strength and detail of support from the applicant’s HLS faculty supervisor.
• The reasonableness, necessity, and verifiability of the proposed expenses.
• For group projects, the necessity of each student’s participation and the specific role each student will perform.
• Previous recipients may apply again if they completed the requirements of the prior grant and received HLS credit for the supported project.

Required Documents

• Completed Winter Term International Travel Grant application form, including a proposal summary and budget proposal.
• Resume or curriculum vitae.
• A copy of the relevant substantive program application, such as a clinical project proposal, Winter Term Writing application and narrative, or Winter Term Writing registration form.
• A bibliography of basic sources for research or writing projects.
• Current unofficial Harvard Law School transcript showing the most recently reported grades.
• Letter from an HLS faculty supervisor addressing the project’s merit and the student’s ability to conduct the work.
• For pair or group projects, separate applications explaining why each student’s participation is necessary and describing each student’s specific role.

How to Apply

Applicants must complete two processes: approval or registration for the substantive clinical, research, or writing project, and submission of the travel grant application. Travel grant applications are submitted to International Legal Studies through the CARAT online application system. J.D. and LL.M. students seeking approval for independent clinical projects must apply to the Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs by October 19, 2026. LL.M. students seeking Winter Term writing approval must apply to the Graduate Program by November 12, 2026, while J.D. students must submit their Winter Term Writing registration form by November 13, 2026. Travel grant applications for J.D. students applying for independent clinicals or Winter Term Writing projects, and for LL.M. students applying for independent clinicals, were due October 30, 2026. LL.M. students applying for Winter Term Writing projects may submit their travel grant applications by November 12, 2026. Applicants should contact their faculty supervisor well in advance and arrange for the recommendation letter to be submitted as a PDF through CARAT.

Application Deadline

Deadlines vary by program. The remaining stated travel grant deadline is November 12, 2026, for LL.M. students applying for Winter Term Writing projects.

Apply via the official page: https://hls.harvard.edu/ils/opportunities-abroad/winter-term-abroad/winter-term-international-travel-grants/eligibility-funding-and-applications