Student Travel Awards

Date: September 1, 2007
To: Students and Faculty
From: University Enrichment Committee
Subject:

2007-2008 Student Travel Awards for Conference Presentation

The University Enrichment Committee is pleased to announce the Student Travel Awards for 2007-2008. Proposals are invited for travel by full-time students whose independent work has been accepted for presentation at regional or national conferences. Funding is for the student(s) who actually present the paper or work. The maximum limit on each award is $450. Student co-presenters will share a single grant.

Deadlines

Conference travel scheduled for the 2007-2008 academic year (July 1, 2007-- June 30, 2008) is eligible to be considered. Applications will be processed as received through April 10, 2008.

Evaluation Criteria

Each proposal is evaluated on a competitive basis. Decisions will be based on the clarity, strength and completeness of the written proposal, appropriateness of the proposed budget, and strength of a supporting letter from the faculty advisor.

Requirements of Award Holders

Once the award is made, any deviation in expenditures from the approved budget must receive the approval of the University Enrichment Committee. In order to obtain reimbursement for travel costs, students must submit the following materials to the University Enrichment Committee, c/o Associate Dean Sarah Moore (Jones 212): a) A final written report of the project, preferably in the format presented at the conference, and b) original receipts for all expenditures to be reimbursed attached to the Expense and Reimbursement form that will accompany your award letter.

Notice on Grant Limits:

Because of the increasing demand for student research and travel funds, the University Enrichment Committee may be unable to award more than one research or travel grant to a single student during the 2007-2008 academic year. A student receiving a research grant should not expect to receive a travel grant or a second research grant. A student receiving a travel grant should not expect to receive a research grant or a second travel grant. The Committee is currently seeking additional funding support.

Application Guidelines

All materials (except the application form) should be typewritten. Complete applications should include:

1. Application Form with all signatures requested.
   (Download the application form. -- 48KB, Word format --)
2. Project Description (no more than 3 pages), including the following elements:
   1. Project Purpose and Background. Discuss the purpose and value of the research in both non-technical as well as formal disciplinary terms. Provide background on the topic, such as its theoretical/historical context in general and within the field, and include citations of directly relevant prior research.
   2. Methods of Study and Findings. Discuss hypotheses or specific questions investigated and methods of analysis or proof applied. Summarize relevant findings.
   3. Role in Presentation. Briefly describe your role in the research project and conference presentation (e.g., co-presenter, poster session).
   4. Relevance to Applicant's Goals. Briefly describe the value of this travel opportunity to your educational and/or professional goals.
   5. Bibliography.
3. Verification of Paper Acceptance. A copy of the official notification of the paper's acceptance.
4. Budget. Please prepare a budget. This budget should include a list of all anticipated expenses, an explanation and justification for each expense, and the expected cost of each item. The proposed budget may include support for Airfare, Ground Transportation, Car Travel (at 48.5 cents per mile), Lodging, Food, and Conference Registration fee. Be sure to identify in the proposed budget all of your anticipated travel expenses, even if this brings the total to more than the maximum $450 that can be awarded.
5. Letter of Support from your faculty project advisor. The letter should address the student's contribution to the research project and conference presentation and the accuracy and completeness of the proposed budget.

You must submit both a hard copy and an electronic copy of your complete application materials. The hard copy should be submitted in person to Associate Dean Sarah Moore (for the University Enrichment Committee) in Jones 212 on or before the application deadline. The electronic copy need not include signatures and should be submitted as a WORD attachment to smoore@ups.edu.