Travel Grants
Pomelo Travel & Flights from home are pleased to announce the reintroduction of travel grants for the 2026-2027 year! Travel grants have long been a key part of the core vision of Pomelo Travel, and now they are returning with a more clear eyed and detailed vision and their purpose. First and foremost, Travel Grants are a way for Pomelo Travel to reward employees for their hard work and dedication to providing customers with an amazing service. As recognition for this hard work, Travel Grants provide the opportunity for the Pomelo Travel team to experience meaningful travel experiences while also providing important service to our Impact partners on the ground.
Pomelo Travel is committed to engaging with and supporting rural communities. Our primary intervention in this area is our Outpost program, which is now operating in Thailand, Cambodia and Bali. This year, we have exciting opportunities to help build and improve this program in Cambodia. You will see below a list of available positions. While on the two week trip, team members should expect to become intimately involved in getting to know the local community and the projects on the ground. Team members will assist in marketing efforts, customer experience and relationship building. These Travel Grants are real work, but we believe that as team members labor alongside our partners on the ground that memories will be formed and experiences will be had that will last long after the trip has concluded.
Invite Change & Support Rural Communities
With your travel grant, you’re directly supporting the rural communities that Pomelo strives to serve. See the impact firsthand, and work with the Impact Team to embrace change yourself.
Available Grants
Quarter 4 (Oct.-Dec.) 2026
Quarter 1 (Jan. - Mar.) 2027
Each quarter, the Impact Team opens applications for Outpost opportunities based on need and availability. From the pool of applicants, two Pomelo employees are selected per quarter. You're welcome to apply for any open Outpost and any of the three Travel Grant Roles. Once selected, you'll take on responsibilities specific to the role you're assigned.
Correspondent
Captures the human side of Outposts through feedback, analysis, and storytelling. Turn observations into copy and content that brings the trip to life for future travelers.
Cambodia Outpost
Hosted by Sarom in Siem Reap, this Outpost sits near lotus lakes, rice fields, and ancient Khmer temples, just minutes from Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake. Employees stay in Sarom's family home, with a private bathroom and a patio view of the lotus farms. For Travel Grant work, it offers rich material across all three roles: nearby Angkor Wat, local night markets, and a lotus farm producing sustainable silk, candle, and tea provide strong storytelling and visual content, while the homestay model itself gives a direct window into community-based hospitality for Expedition Planning.
Available Roles
Videographer
Documents the journey through short- and long-form video and photography, creating visual stories that capture the people, places, and moments that define each Outpost.
Cartographer
Builds and refines the itinerary itself, vetting vendors and mapping out the on-the-ground details that shape a seamless, meaningful trip for future travelers.
Bali Outpost
Hosted by Donny and Sri in a peaceful traditional village, this Outpost offers two newly renovated rooms with views of rice fields and a volcano, each with a private bathroom, air conditioning, and wifi. Guests are just a scooter ride from the beach and near local highlights like a family silversmith, horseback riding, and surf breaks — with Ubud, Uluwatu, and Komodo National Park all within reach for broader exploration. Guests consistently describe Donny and Sri's hospitality as the standout of their stay, often saying it felt like being welcomed into the family rather than staying as a guest.
Not yet available for Travel Grants. Coming soon.
Bali is being lined up as a future Outpost for employee Travel Grant trips, and details on role availability and application timing will follow once it opens.
Coming Soon
Thailand Outpost
Hosted by Pee Tee at Pansawan in Mae Rim, this Outpost sits amid rice fields on the outskirts of Chiang Mai — a region known for its temples, night markets, hill tribe villages, and Northern Thai cuisine. Guests stay in newly renovated rooms and consistently rave about Pee Tee's cooking, hospitality, and hands-on cooking lessons, with easy access nearby to Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and the Mekong River for broader exploration of Northern Thailand.
Not yet available for Travel Grants. Coming soon. Thailand is being lined up as a future Outpost for employee Travel Grant trips, and details on role availability and application timing will follow once it opens.
Coming Soon
Travel Grant Timeline
Travel Grant FAQs
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Who's eligible to apply for a Travel Grant, and how does selection work each quarter?
Any employee is eligible to apply once they've passed their one-year work anniversary at Pomelo, as long as they haven't already gone on a Travel Grant trip in the previous calendar year. Applications are first reviewed and approved by the Impact Team, then passed along to Chris and Scott for final approval.Can I request a specific Outpost and role, or are they assigned?
You can request a specific Outpost when you apply, but final placement depends on availability and on-the-ground need at the time.What happens if I'm not selected — can I reapply next quarter?
Absolutely — if you're not selected, you're welcome to reapply the following quarter. -
What does Pomelo cover (flights, lodging, meals, gear) vs. what's on me?
Pomelo covers everything related to the trip — flights, lodging, meals, and work-related gear. The only costs on you are personal expenses: non-work-related gear, activities, or personal purchases.Is this trip paid time, PTO, or something else?
The Travel Grant trip does not count against your PTO.Do I need travel insurance, visas, or vaccinations — does Pomelo help arrange those?
Yes — the Impact Team will help arrange everything needed prior to departure, including travel insurance, visas, and any required vaccinations.Can I extend the trip personally, or bring a partner/family member?
Personal trip extensions are possible with approval from your team lead, provided airfare pricing stays the same. You're also welcome to bring a "plus one" — a friend, spouse, or family member — as long as they're over 16 (or have special approval) and are able to participate in all trip activities. -
What happens if I don't complete all deliverables on-site — can I finish them after I return?
Certain deliverables will be flagged in advance as required to complete before you return home. Everything else can be finished within 4 weeks of your return — just don't leave those on-site deliverables unfinished, or we may have to "accidentally" cancel your flight home.Who reviews my work, and what equipment do I need to bring?
The Impact Team will review your work and collaborate with you throughout the trip. If any specialized equipment is needed for your role, we'll let you know ahead of time — otherwise, plan to bring a laptop, phone, or tablet to capture, process, and create your assigned content.How much free time will I have during the trip?
Outside of assigned activities and responsibilities, your time is your own. Expect to "work" roughly 6–8 hours a day, with 1–2 free days built in for activities of your choosing. -
What support is available if something goes wrong on-site (medical, safety, homestay issues), and who's my point of contact?
Your Outpost Host and Impact Director Pattica are available on the ground throughout your trip to identify and address any emergency needs, working in tandem with the Domestic Impact Team for additional support. Depending on the trip, other members of the Pomelo Impact or General Team may join you as well.What's the level of language support if I don't speak the local language?
Outpost Hosts and most locals are able to communicate in English. For specific activities where that's not the case, a translator will be provided. -
What happens to the content I create, and do I get credit for it?
Content you submit as part of your Travel Grant deliverables becomes Pomelo's property and will be used responsibly for educational and promotional materials. If you'd like personal credit for your work, you can arrange that directly with the Social Media and Marketing team.Is there any internal recognition or story-sharing after the trip?
Yes — we'd love to highlight your experience with the Pomelo team, either during one of our monthly all-hands meetings or through a post the wider team can read and enjoy.