Funding
Travel funds
All MBCT student members are eligible to receive travel funds that can be used within three years of joining the program. Trainees receive up to $1,500 to be used for approved travel directly related to their research or research training, such as scientific meetings or similar events.
All student members must receive prior approval for their travel from both their primary mentor (who must fill out a Student Certification form), and from the MBCT program coordinator.
Students traveling to a scientific meeting are strongly encouraged to present either a talk (preferred) or a poster, as this is an important part of their scientific training. Students who are not planning to present must include a justification when they request prior approval from the program coordinator.
To receive prior approval, please email the Program Coordinator, Zulema Garibo, at zgaribo@stanford.edu with the following information:
- Your Student Certification form, completed and signed by your primary mentor
- The event and location that you are traveling to
- The dates of your travel
- A two- to three-sentence explanation of the purpose of your travel, specifically relating it to the MBCT program
- Either confirmation that you will be presenting a poster or talk, or an explanation of why you are not planning to do so
Please note: Stanford now requires graduate students to use Stanford Travel for their travel booking. Learn more. In order to get reimbursed, all Stanford travel policies must be followed.
Students are generally reimbursed for their approved travel after they return. However, if paying out of pocket would be a financial burden, please email the Program Coordinator, Zulema Garibo, at zgaribo@stanford.edu in advance so that we may help, preferably at least six weeks ahead of your travel dates.
Immediately after returning from their pre-approved travel, students should complete the Travel Expense form, and, for international travel, the Currency Conversion form, and email both, along with any required receipts and documentation to Zulema Garibo, at zgaribo@stanford.edu.
Engagement
An important goal of the MBCT student membership program is that its students develop strong collaboration, leadership, and community engagement skills. Students are expected to be engaged and contributing members of the community by attending center seminars, annual student member meeting, by presenting their work to the community, and by taking an active role in assisting with ongoing center events, or by developing new ways to strengthen and enrich the community.