The Graduate College

GRADUATE STUDENT TRAVEL FUND

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Graduate Student Travel Fund
The Graduate Student Travel Fund was established to support graduate student travel to meetings or events sponsored by professional organizations for the purpose of reporting the results of research, exhibiting or performing creative works, or otherwise disseminating results of their scholarly activity. This fund does not cover conference attendance for other purposes (e.g., as a non-presenting attendee or workshop participant), nor to present the findings of another's scholarly work. The applicant for a travel grant must have been the sole or principal investigator (the selection committee understands that University policies governing research may preclude students from being listed as the principal investigator), author, or performer of the research project or artistic/creative activity and must have been the person invited or selected to make the presentation.

To be eligible for a grant from the Graduate Student Travel Fund, an applicant must be regularly admitted to a graduate degree program, in good academic standing, enrolled in at least six hours in the semester that the travel takes place or full-time (at least six hours) in Spring for travel during the following Summer I or Summer II(students on "continuous enrollment" status may meet this requirement with at least one hour of enrollment in thesis or dissertation credits), and the sole and principal investigator and the invited presenter.

Applicants whose research involves human subjects, animals, and/or bio-safety requirement must provide documentation of prior approval of the research proposal by the appropriate University review body.

A graduate student is eligible to receive a maximum of two research/travel grants while enrolled in any degree program at Western Michigan University.

Grants will range up to $600. *(see below) The amount will depend, in part, on the number of applications received and the budget available and, in part, on the priority given the application by the selection committee. Normally, preference is given to applications submitted before the travel has been completed. Applicants should be aware that not all applications may be selected for funding and that not all applicants may receive the amount of funding requested. A grant must be disbursed during the academic year in which it is awarded; grant activity may nevertheless take place during the Summer II session of the succeeding academic year.

Students may also apply simultaneously for up to $500 of additional support to defray the cost of international travel. This additional support is available thanks to the generous support of the Graduate Student Advisory Committee(GSAC).

Selection Criteria for Awards from the Graduate Student Research and Travel Funds [.doc]

Application deadlines for 2009-10: September 15, November 2, January 18, and March 15. Applicants will receive confirmation by mail regarding award status within 6 weeks after the application deadline date.

Graduate Student Travel Fund Application [.doc]