To: Graduate Students, Department Heads, Faculty and Staff

From: Linda Lacey, Dean of the Graduate School

Re: Conference Travel Awards for Currently Enrolled Graduate Students

The Graduate School has a Conference Travel Award program to help graduate students present papers, posters, exhibits and performances at regional, national and international conferences and professional meetings. This year we will offer 60 awards of up to $250 to currently enrolled graduate students. Students are required to obtain some money from their department and/or college as well. Priority will be given to graduate students that attend the Presenting Research at Professional Meetings workshop, This is a merit award. Not all students will receive awards. Selection criteria include: a) faculty recommendations on the quality of the work; b) level of completion of presentation; c) future plans for the work including publication in journals or other dissemination channels, and d) first time awardee.

Applications for the Conference Travel Award will be received from August 15th to March 15th for conferences that take place during the academic year. For conferences that take place during the summer months, graduate students will need to ask their academic dean for support. Applications must be approved by the Graduate School prior to the date of the conference or professional meeting. The approval process can take several weeks depending on the time of year.

To receive an award, students must:

1. Be enrolled in Graduate School during the semester an award is granted.
2. Show proof that the proposal has been accepted. An email or letter should be attached to the application. Please attach a copy of the paper or proposal to the application as well. As mentioned above, students with completed papers and complete proposals for poster sessions, exhibits and performances will receive higher priority.
3. Show proof that you have received training to present your work such as
- Attending the workshop on Presenting Research at Professional Meetings (make sure you write your name on the sign-up sheet), or
- Participating in other workshops or sessions where you received training. If you are unable to attend workshops, please indicate how you will or have received training to present your work.
4. Indicate which faculty will review your work. The application has a place for your faculty’s signature. We also encourage students to obtain a supportive letter from your faculty that discusses the quality of your work.
5. Complete the attached application form, provide the attachments mentioned above, and obtain the necessary approvals and signatures prior to submitting the application to the Graduate School.