Travel Grant for National Meetings

Travel Grant for National Meetings

The Virginia Bleeding Disorders Foundation (VABDF) formerly Virginia Hemophilia Foundation (VHF) is pleased to offer Travel Grants to attend national meetings as part of the Terry Lamb Enrichment Scholarship. National meetings enable our community to come together and exchange information on treatment and technology. Click here to learn more about the Terry Lamb Enrichment Scholarship program.

Meeting: National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) Washington Days

The application for the 2026 VABDF/VHF travel grant for Washington Days is now closed. If you have any questions please email info@vahemophilia.org or call 804-740-8643.

NBDF’s Washington Days is an opportunity for people affected by inherited bleeding disorders to advocate for issues that are important to them. We are looking forward to gather togethering with hundreds of volunteer advocates from across the United States to meet with legislators and staff to discuss issues important to our community such as federal funding for bleeding disorder programs and supporting policies that increase affordability of coverage, and access to care.

Washington Days 2026 will take place at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill from Wednesday, March 4, to Friday, March 6. To learn more visit the  NBDF Washington Days 2026 website. 

Meeting: National Bleeding Disorders Foundation (NBDF) Bleeding Disorders Conference (BDC)

NBDF’s BDC will be in Orlando, Florida at the World Center Marriott from August 13-16, 2026. This conference features 120+ hours of educational sessions for people with for hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and rare bleeding disorders, their family members, and health care providers, a vibrant exhibit hall showcasing the latest in treatment options and services, and plenty of opportunities for networking and connection. Go here to learn more about NBDF BDC.

Meeting Dates: August 13 – 16, 2026

Meeting Location: Orlando, FL

Go here to apply for the VHF travel grant for the 2026 NBDF BDC.

Connections for Learning Grants (formerly the NBDF Travel Grants)
Through Connections for Learning participants will be provided a grant to attend NBDF’s 2026 Bleeding Disorders Conference where they will have the opportunity to meet and learn from others affected by bleeding disorders as well as from clinical experts in the field from August 13-15, 2026. Application Closes: Monday, February 23, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Learn more.

ELIGIBILITY
Individuals living with an inherited bleeding disorder and their immediate family and/or household members who live in the territorial jurisdiction of VABDF/VHF, which includes the Commonwealth of Virginia, with exception of the following: The cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Herndon, Manassas, Manassas Park, and Vienna and the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudon, Prince William and Stafford.

Scholarships are limited to funding availability and special consideration is given to:
• First time applicants and those individuals not previously funded by VABDF/VHF
• Individuals diagnosed with an inherited bleeding disorder
• Individuals who have volunteered and/or are an active participant of VABDF/VHF
• Those individuals who are clearly able to communicate a need and would benefit from participating in such a program
• Applicant’s intention to make effective use of the program (write an article for the newsletter or speak about the experience at an upcoming VABDF/VHF event).

Recipients of the travel grant must be at least 21 years or older or accompanied by someone who is at least 21 years or older at the time of the meeting.

SCHOLARSHIPS
Travel grants can be used for national meetings such as the National Bleeding Disorder Foundation (NBDF) Bleeding Disorders Conference and NBDF Washington Days. Award amounts vary for a travel grant but are typically in the range of $500-$1000 per person (not to exceed $2,000 per family) and also depend on the availability of travel grants offered by the national organizations.

Travel grant applicants must have participated in VABDF/VHF activities or have been referred by their HTC or other healthcare provider that treats the inherited bleeding disorder.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applications can be completed using our online application form or you can use the paper application form and email the application to info@vahemophilia.org. 

Please read and follow the application and instructions very carefully to receive full consideration for a Travel Grant. If you don’t know the answer, please type N/A. DO NOT leave any section blank.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. It is up to the applicant to follow up and make sure the application is received by the deadline.

VABDF/VHF may follow up with the identified treatment provider to verify statements made in this application.

Scholarship recipients will be determined through a review process conducted by volunteers on the VABDF/VHF Scholarship Committee. Typically, you will be notified if you have been awarded a travel grant within 3 weeks of the application deadline, which will include the amount of your travel grant.

PAYMENT OF TRAVEL GRANT FUNDS
VABDF/VHF staff will work with award recipient(s) to distribute the travel funds. At some national meetings VABDF/VHF will reserve and pay for hotel rooms directly, other reimbursements will be given directly to the individual based on the awarded amount once a receipt/invoice of payment has been submitted. Expenses beyond the travel grant are the responsibility of the recipient.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF RECIPIENTS
Documentation of attendance is required. Travel Grant recipients understand that if they are selected, expenses are paid, and that they are expected to attend the meeting. Should an applicant not attend the meeting they may be asked to reimburse VABDF/VHF for all expenses incurred on their behalf.

QUESTIONS
If you have questions about the travel grants, email info@vahemophilia.org or call 804-740-8643 for more information.