Through a collaborative effort, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research (OGSR) and the GSA a limited number of $200 awards to assist selected Arts & Sciences graduate students who are attending or presenting at a research conference.

Upcoming Deadline

October 27, 2013
(Note: For expenses incurred from 9/1/2013-12/31/2013)

Background

The OGSR/GSA Conference Funding competitively awards graduate students of Arts and Sciences in the College of William & Mary who wish to attend or present at research conferences in their field of study. Conference Funding is financed through the Office of Graduate Studies and Research; however, it is solely administered by the GSA. The goal of Conference Funding is to supplement other funding sources and to help offset the expenses that graduate students accrue advancing their scholarship and knowledge. Since conference experience and attendance are critical for the job market, Conference Funding is designed to encourage graduate student presence at conferences by addressing some of the limitations of other funding sources.

Deadlines

The application deadline for conference travel taken during the period September 1, 2013 - December 31 2013 is October 27, 2013 at 5:00pm.

 

Review Process

• Applicant Selection Criteria

  Awards are based upon a subjective review of the application by the GSA. Every effort will be made to preserve the integrity of the confidential, blind-review selection process. Applicants should clearly justify the need and importance of attending the conference. Applicants who apply for other funding sources are given priority. Other criteria that are considered include, but are not limited to, the applicability of the conference to the student’s research, scope and importance of the conference (small regional meeting v. international congress), the distance to the conference, and the cost of the trip. We encourage everyone to apply; however, we give special consideration to conference presenters.

• Applicant Selection Timeline

  The GSA Committee for Conference Funding will meet within one week of the deadline to consider applications. The students who receive awards will be notified in writing within ten days following the application deadline.

• Committee

  The GSA Committee for Conference Funding will consist of all GSA Executive Officers and Department Representatives in good standing. To avoid a conflict of interest, voting members of the GSA Committee for Conference Funding who apply for Conference Funding will recuse themselves.

• Applicant Requirements

  • Award recipients of Fall grants who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a presentation at the Graduate Research Symposium (March 21-22, 2014) unless the date of the Symposium conflicts with the conference the recipient is attending.
  • To receive Conference Funding, respective GSA Department Representative must be in good standing.

Apply for Conference Funding

Before applying online for OGSR/GSA Conference Funding, please take a moment to review the general eligibility requirements:

• Conference Funding may only be awarded to Arts & Sciences graduate students attending or presenting at a research conference.

• Students attending International Conferences (i.e.: anywhere outside the 50 U.S. States and D.C.) will need to complete the International Travel waiver form as well as purchase the required CISI Travel/Medical Insurance prior to your departure. The insurance premium is $34 per month for the duration of your travel.  GSA will award you an additional $34 to cover this insurance.  Both the waiver form and a copy of the CISI insurance form must be submitted to your Department/Program prior to your departure.  Information concerning the required CISI Travel/Medical Insurance can be found on the web at http://tinyurl.com/atj62cy.  The CISI Insurance is coordinated through the Reves Center. 
• Individuals can receive one award per calendar year (January-December).  However, you can apply again if you do not receive funding.

• Award recipients of Fall grants who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a presentation at the Graduate Research Symposium (March 2013) unless the date of the Symposium conflicts with the conference the recipient is attending.
• Students graduating in May must complete their travel before their actual graduation date.
  
• To receive Conference Funding, respective GSA Department Representative must be in good standing.
• Students graduating must complete their travel BEFORE their actual graduation date.

 

Apply Here for dates September 1, 2013-December 31, 2013

 

***Please be aware that award notifications will be sent approximately one month after the application deadline.

Picking Up Your Check

Congratulations on being awarded Conference Funding! Now, here’s what you do:

• OGSR/GSA Conference Funding is distributed to your department, so follow your department’s reimbursement procedures.
• Submit a Travel Reimbursement Voucher and original receipts within one week from the end of the conference trip to your department. If the conference occurs before the SCF awards are announced, then the travel reimbursement voucher should be submitted within one week of the award announcement.
• Check with your home department for procedures of payment for registration fees, transportation, lodging and meals.

 

Important Forms 

• Travel Authorization Form – Submitted to the department of students before attending conferences
• Travel Reimbursement Voucher – Submitted by awardees to their department
• International Travel waiver - Required for students attending International Conferences (i.e.: anywhere outside the 50 U.S. States and D.C.) and must be submitted to the department of students before attending conferences
• CISI Travel/Medical Insurance application can be found on the web at http://tinyurl.com/atj62cy.  Required for students attending International Conferences (i.e.: anywhere outside the 50 U.S. States and D.C.)  and must be submitted to the department of students before attending conferences

Still Need More Money?

Find other funding Sources at http://www.wm.edu/grants/STUDENT/student.htm.

The Fine Print

• Individuals can receive one award per calendar year (January-December).  However, you can apply again if you do not receive funding.
• Award recipients for Fall who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a talk at the Graduate Research Symposium (March 21-22, 2014) unless the date of the Symposium conflicts with the conference the recipient is attending.
• To receive Conference Funding, respective GSA Department Representative must be in good standing.

Contact Information

Contact Nabeel Siddiqui at  nasiddiqui@email.wm.edu with questions.

 Last Updated 5/30/13