Wilderness First Aid Training Grant
The Global Safety Office (GSO) has made available a limited number of grants for undergraduate or graduate students to participate in wilderness first aid training. To qualify, a student’s international travel must support Penn State academic goals that require remote or rural international travel.
Overview
Penn State Global Safety offers a grant for undergraduate or graduate students to participate in wilderness first aid training. To qualify, a student’s international travel must support Penn State academic goals that require remote or rural international travel.
The grant is for Penn Staters that are traveling alone or who are members of a group traveling to remote or rural destinations. The journey should involve direct or indirect exposure to wildlife; the collection of flora, fauna, or other natural samples (including water); higher-risk activities including building projects, snorkeling, back-country hiking, etc.
Recipients of this grant may attend training at any location. Reimbursement is capped at $400 to cover the cost of enrollment and some transportation costs. Wilderness first aid training ranges between $250 to $400 per course. Examples of training options are provided below. The grant cannot be used to reimburse tuition for university courses.
Eligibility
Applicants must be current, full-time undergraduate or graduate student in good academic standing at Penn State University whose international travel is defined as University-Affiliated International Travel. Applicable international travel must be planned or booked within twelve months of participating in the wilderness first aid course. The international destination must be in a remote or rural location lacking easy access to medical care and limited cell phone coverage.
Applicants are required complete the Wilderness First Aid Training Grant Application. The application includes written justification (500 words or less) describing previous international travel experience, the proposed travel for which the training would be applicable, how the wilderness first aid training course will contribute to travelers’ health and safety, and which course they plan to take (date/location/provider).
Grant recipients must agree to a short interview conducted by a Global Safety staff member reflecting on their experience abroad and how the wilderness first aid training prepared them for their adventure. Recipients further agree to share a minimum of three photographs of projects they worked on or of their site for use as a testimonial on the Global Safety webpage.
Application Review/Award Process/Reimbursement
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis (no deadline) and awarded to those who meet the eligibility criteria until all grant funds are exhausted. Following the application review, a Global Safety representative will contact the awardee with more details. Awardees will have up to four weeks after successful completion of the training to provide proof of attendance to Global Safety.
In addition to funding, any student who meets the eligibility criteria and has successfully completed wilderness first aid training will receive an Outdoor First Aid kit from Global Safety free of charge. The kit services up to 20 individuals, is lightweight and is easily stored in a backpack or travel bag.
Students who are already wilderness first aid certified, meet all eligibility criteria, and can show successful completion of an accredited program will be given a first aid kit.
Questions can be directed to Global Safety at globalsafety@psu.edu or +1-814-863-8788.
Examples of Training Courses (Applicants are not limited to the courses listed below)
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
Wilderness Medical Associates International
