Last update: May 08, 2026
Funding & Scholarships
External Scholarship Opportunities
We are committed to making the 1st Interactive Health (IH) Conference accessible to a diverse and global community of researchers, students, and practitioners. To help reduce financial barriers, several funding pathways are available for eligible attendees. Below you will find information on external scholarship opportunities and IH Travel Awards.
In addition to IH internal funding, applicants are encouraged to explore external scholarship programs that support conference travel for students, early‑career researchers, and participants from underrepresented regions.
Gary Marsden Travel Awards
The Gary Marsden Travel Awards, offered through ACM SIGCHI, support students and early‑career researchers in attending HCI‑related conferences worldwide. This program operates independently from the IH Conference, and eligibility criteria vary. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the requirements and apply if eligible.
Learn more: https://sigchi.org/resources/gary-marsden-travel-awards/
Applicants from low‑ and middle‑income countries, and underrepresented regions are especially encouraged to apply.
IH Travel Awards
The IH Conference will offer a limited number of Travel Awards to support individuals who would otherwise face financial barriers to attending. Funding from sponsorships and ACM support will be distributed based on demonstrated need and available resources. Support levels may vary depending on the number of applicants and available funds.
What the Travel Award Covers
Depending on available funding and applicant need, support may include:
- Travel expenses (e.g., flight)
- Conference registration fees
- One workshop registration
Final support packages will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an IH Travel Award, applicants must:
- Be current ACM/SIGCHI members AND
- Be registered to attend the IH Conference (or commit to registering if awarded) AND
- Demonstrate financial need AND
- Be students, trainees, early‑career researchers, or participants without institutional funding
Priority Consideration
Priority will be given to:
- Presenting authors
- Applicants from low‑ to middle‑income countries
- Applicants from underrepresented regions in HCI
- Applicants living in Portugal
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to submit:
- A brief statement (approx. 250 words) describing how attending the IH Conference will benefit their research and career development
- A detailed breakdown of expected travel expenses
To apply for a Travel Award, please complete the application forms here: Travel award application – Fill in form.
If you need assistance with the application process, you may contact the IH team at: visas2026@ih.acm.org.
