Purpose: To provide guidance to students, faculty, and administration regarding departmental and college funding in support of medical students who have been accepted to present research or other scholarly activity at a regional or national meeting.
Scope: Medical students in the UNMC College of Medicine
Background: The need for medical student engagement in research and scholarly activity continues to increase. The College of Medicine is committed to supporting our students in pursuit of these activities. This policy is intended to solidify that support and provide clear guidelines for students, faculty, and administration.
Limitations: Medical students who are not active in MD program (such as those in the MD-PhD program, other dual degree program, or on a leave of absence) are excluded from this policy. No funding will be provided by the College of Medicine for presentation at a local meeting, presentations that are completed virtually, or research not conducted with UNMC faculty. Exceptions to this limitation may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Policy or Guideline:
- Students must have an abstract, workshop, or equivalent accepted for presentation (poster or oral) at a regional or national conference and the medical student must be a presenter.
- The maximum amount of funding from the COM will provide is $2000 throughout a students’ matriculation. The amount of funding provided per trip is determined on a case-by-case basis and reasonable costs. While not required, we ask that students also inquire about funding from their sponsoring faculty member.
- Any additional travel expenses are to be funded by the department, sponsoring faculty member, or student.
- Students must make reasonable, cost-conscious travel arrangements. Excessive or extraordinary expenses will not be approved, even within the $2,000 maximum allowance, they may be declined.
- Funding from the COM is not guaranteed, even if an abstract is accepted for presentation. Students may apply for funding from the COM only after their abstract is accepted.
- Funding is provided directly to students as reimbursement after travel has been completed and after all forms are submitted through the COM Dean’s Business Office.
Procedures/Processes:
- Student should contact Kari Nelson, PhD (kari.nelson@unmc.edu) Director, Undergraduate Medical Education (UME) Research with inquiries and to request funding from the COM.
- Students must submit expenses in an organized manner to the COM Dean’s Business Office within 30 days to receive reimbursement. Funding from other sources (e.g., grants) may have differing timelines in which to submit expenses.
Contact: Kari Nelson, PhD (kari.nelson@unmc.edu), Director of UME Research
Approved by the Faculty Council: April 12, 2024
Modified by the Office of Medical Education & Director of UME Research: December 8, 2025
Approved by the Faculty Council: January 9, 2026
Modified by the Office of Medical Education & Director of UME Research: February 12, 2026
Modified by the Office of Medical Education & Director of UME Research: March 10, 2026