Getting Started
Lumos Travel Award
Get Started
Thinking about applying? You’re in the right place.
This section walks you through everything you need to know — from eligibility requirements to formulating a project and selecting an organization, to what makes a strong application. We encourage you to start planning early, so you can approach the process with clarity and confidence.
All Lumos applicants should first complete a Lumos Interest Form to schedule an appointment with a Lumos advisor.
Applying for the Lumos Travel Award is more than just submitting a form — it’s a deeply reflective process that asks you to consider your goals, values, and vision for international engagement.
While the application is open year-round, Lumos accepts proposals during two main cycles: March and November. We encourage you to determine your eligibility early and begin shaping your project ideas, clarifying your purpose, and gathering materials well in advance — even up to a year ahead — to submit your strongest, most thoughtful proposal.
Eligibility
Lumos projects must last at least four months to ensure meaningful, immersive impact — both for you and the community you’ll serve. Be ready to commit to a journey that’s deep, challenging, and transformative.
To be eligible for a Lumos Travel Award, you must:
- Must be a current student between 20 to 26 years old at the time of application
- Be an undergraduate student in good standing at Belmont University at time of application
- Have a strong academic and disciplinary record, showing respect for university and legal standards
- Have a record free of criminal offenses
- Be physically and emotionally fit to travel and complete your proposed project (a physician’s letter may be required)
- Be able to return to campus to share your Lumos experience after your project ends
Timeline: Planning Your Lumos Journey
Logistics, Safety, and Timelines
Ensuring that you will legally be allowed to live and work in your proposed country for the entire duration of your project must be established early on in your research.
You will save yourself significant time and potential disappointment if you establish these visa parameters first, before putting extensive work into a proposal that may not meet Lumos eligibility requirements. Your sponsoring organization should work closely with you to help figure these logistics out.
Lumos Travelers will only be allowed to commence travel in accordance with State Department, CDC, and WHO guidelines. Travelers may propose travel to countries with Level 1 and Level 2 Travel Advisories. Please visit USA Study Abroad and travel.state.gov for more information.
Destinations with a Level 3 Advisory must be discussed with a Lumos advisor prior to application. Please note: Project approval for Level 3 areas is subject to risk management review and could be revoked at any time if the security situation deteriorates. Destinations with a Level 4 Advisory are not permitted.
The proposed time period of your travel must be thoroughly researched and considered.
For example, if your proposed timeline includes December and January, you must find out if your hosting organization’s office or project site will close for an extended holiday break. Having a month off with no ability to actively participate in your project or work is not ideal. This seasonal downtime must be factored into your timeline and planned for in advance, with direct input from your sponsoring organization, before you submit your proposal.
Start with purpose. Build from there.
The goal of the Lumos Travel Award is for you to Travel With a Purpose—to engage deeply, grow intentionally, and create meaningful impact through your international experience.
Before choosing a sponsoring organization, take time to imagine the kind of project you want to pursue. What issue or community do you want to engage with? What questions do you hope to explore? What change—small or large—do you hope to be part of?
A strong Lumos Travel project begins with a personal vision.
But that vision becomes real through partnership. The organization you choose will shape your role, support your learning, and help ensure your impact is meaningful and sustainable. Lumos does not fund mission trips – this is your vision of a meaningful impact through partnership to serve.
As you design your project, think simultaneously about the kind of partner that could help bring your ideas to life—and be open to refining your vision as you discover what’s possible on the ground.
Learn MoreSelect Organization
Your project starts with vision—but it’s sustained by partnership.
Your sponsoring organization is the foundation of your Lumos project—and one of the most important decisions you’ll make. It’s not just about where you go, but who you collaborate with and how you’ll grow through that relationship.
The best organizations don’t just host—they co-create. Look for partners whose mission aligns with your vision, who serve real needs on the ground, and who can support your active involvement. This step often shapes your project just as much as your initial ideas do—so stay curious and flexible.
Finding the right fit takes time, research, and reflection. Start exploring early.
Prepare Budget
A detailed budget is a required part of your Lumos application—and one of the most practical ways to bring your project to life. Thoughtful, realistic planning shows you’re ready to take on the day-to-day realities of your international experience.
Start by imagining your daily routines abroad. Envisioning what your everyday life will be like is key to creating an accurate, grounded budget.
Ask yourself:
- Where will I live?
- How will I get to and from my project site each day?
- Will I prepare my own meals, or will food be provided?
- Will I need language lessons or other preparation before departure?
Your budget should reflect two types of costs:
One-Time Expenses:
- Round-trip flights
- Visa fees
- Vaccinations/travel medicine
- Program or project fees
- Insurance
- Supplies
Monthly (Recurring) Expenses:
- Rent or housing
- Food/groceries
- Local transportation
- Phone/data
- Living essentials
Each of these categories should be customized based on your host country, sponsoring organization and project plan.
Don’t just list numbers—show your math. Briefly describe how you calculated each line item.
For example:
“Estimated rent based on average cost for shared housing in Lima”
“Meal cost based on three modest meals/day at local cafes”
Build in a financial cushion to prepare for:
- Currency exchange fluctuations
- Inflation or local price changes
- Unexpected expenses
Planning with flexibility shows maturity and readiness for the realities of travel.
You’re expected to create your own detailed budget from scratch—but we know it helps to see a framework. Use this sample budget as a reference for how to structure your expenses, describe your calculations and plan thoughtfully for both one-time and ongoing costs.
Application
The Lumos application includes a few key parts: a completed online form, supporting documents, thoughtful essays, and a detailed project budget. Be sure to start early—especially to give your recommenders time to submit their letters before the deadline.
Apply NowDocuments to Submit:
- Project Budget
- Personal Essay
- Cultural Essay
- Unofficial or Official Belmont Transcript
- Current Resume
- Two Letters of Recommendation: Should speak to your character, motivation, potential, community involvement and readiness to complete your proposed project