Funding for Student Research

School of Medicine Funding for Scholarly Activities – MS1 thru MS4 eligible

Each year, and as annual funds are available, UTRGV SOM financially supports student research up to $1,500 for those conducting research as part of the medical school education. The aim of this funding is to increase UTRGV medical students’ regional impact in the Rio Grande Valley by supporting scholarly inquiry conducted with UTRGV and affiliated faculty mentors.

Funding is approved for eligible expenses based on merit and enrollment in scholarly activity elective courses.  Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These funds are not personal stipends and cover operational research costs only.

You may apply for these funds here

 For more information, contact the Scholarly Activities Course Director.


The UTRGV Student Government Association Travel Funds (all medical students are eligible)

There is funding available through UTRGV SGA. To learn more, visit the UTRGV Funding website.

For more information, contact the SOM Office of Student Affairs at MDStudentAffairs@utrgv.edu or call (956) 296-1410.


The UTRGV SOM Travel Award (all medical students are eligible, as funds are made available)

Each year, in line with Policy EAA034 - Medical Student Meeting and Travel Support, if left-over funds are available after Summer Scholarly Activity Awards have been distributed, the Office of Research offers travel awards up to $800 for UTRGV-eligible costs to attend regional, state and national conferences. These funds are awarded as available for meritorious applications. Students must have project abstracts accepted at events/conferences for oral or poster presentation as primary presenter.

Individual students may apply for one conference per academic year. If funds are available, exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. Research teams must select one student to apply for travel funds to present group projects.

To apply, complete the Online UTRGV SOM Scholarly Activity Travel Award Request Form.