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Graduate Student Travel Awards

Funded in part by the Stanley-UI Foundation Support Organization

Deadlines:
October 7, 2009, February 10, 2010, April 7, 2010

Note: It is possible that we will not have funds available for the April round of the competition.  We will update the website when we have more information.

Purpose of Award

International Programs invites graduate students at The University of Iowa to apply for grants of $300 for travel to conferences outside of the United States to present the results of their research.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all University of Iowa graduate and professional school students, who are in good academic standing.

Priority may be given first to:

  • applicants that have not received a Graduate Travel Award in the past
  • proposals in which the research topic or presentation content has a strong and clear international emphasis (rather than applications for which only an international venue is evident)
  • students pursuing the M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with an Emphasis in International Studies and second to Ph.D. students in the FLARE and Crossing Borders programs
  • presentations at refereed conferences

Applicants may request funding for conference travel that occurs within eight months before or after the application due date. Unsuccessful applicants may re-apply for funding within the eight-month time limit. Only one award per student per year will be made.

We regret that no funding is available for seminars, workshops, internships, or master classes, through this competition.

Students who are living in the country in which the conference takes place and who are funded by a major fellowship/scholarship will not be competitive in applying for these funds.

Criteria

Consideration is given to the following questions of each proposal:

  • Does the proposal clearly state the location, dates, and purpose of travel?
  • Does the proposal explain how participation in this particular conference will contribute to the applicant's progress toward a degree or future career objectives?
  • Is the focus of the presentation international in scope?
  • Is participation the result of refereed selection?
  • Does the application include a budget that
    • itemizes (and explains) costs (such as travel, lodging, conference fees)?
    • indicates the applicant has sought funding from other sources?
    • notes the total amount required for the trip?
    • notes the specific amount requested from IP?

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by International Programs' staff.

Grants are $300. Applicants will receive partial, rather than full, funding.

PLEASE NOTE: Travel to Canada is eligible, however, applications for conferences held in Canada will be deemed less competitive and thus must demonstrate an exceptionally strong international emphasis in content.

We suggest that applicants contact their departments, Graduate Student Senate, and UI Student Government for additional financial support and must include in their application budget a clear indication of the level of support that these units are providing. The strongest applications will contain evidence of funds already applied for and/or obtained, rather than simply indicating an intent to apply

Applicants are also encouraged to seek funds from sources external to the university.

Reviewers are often inclined to award funds to applicants who have shown initiative in seeking other funding.

Application Process

Proposals should be brief, but they must include the following documents:

  • the completed application cover sheet
  • a description (no longer than one single-spaced page) of the activities to be undertaken and projected outcomes, including how they will bear directly on your professional development
  • a one-page budget accounting for all relevant travel expenses (and other funding requested or obtained); including amount requested from IP
  • a one-page curriculum vitae
  • a one-page confidential letter of recommendation from your faculty advisor, which must include a statement that the student is in good academic standing within the department (faculty member may email these to ip-grants@uiowa.edu)
  • a letter of acceptance / invitation from the conference organizers

Student Making Joint Presentations

If two or more students are presenting jointly, they must submit a single application. The application will consist of the following documents:

  • the completed application cover sheet listing information for each participant who is applying for IP funding
  • a description (no longer than one single-spaced page) of the activities to be undertaken and projected outcomes, including how they will bear directly on your professional development
  • a clear designation of the percentage and nature of the contribution of each participant, INCLUDING those who are and are not applying for IP funding
  • a one-page budget accounting for all relevant travel expenses (and other funding requested or obtained), itemized for each participant (it is expected that wherever possible student will share housing, and a single expense will be submitted in that category)
  • a one-page curriculum vitae for each participant requesting IP funding
  • a one-page confidential letter of recommendation for each participant requesting IP funding from the faculty advisor, which must include a statement that the student is in good academic standing within the department (faculty member may email these to ip-grants@uiowa.edu)
  • a letter of acceptance/ invitation from the conference organizers

Joint applicants will be limited to $300 per person for funding.

Submission of Application

Submit an electronic file (via email) of the application (not including the confidential letter of recommendation) to ip-grants@uiowa.edu AND one paper copy to IP Grants Office, 1111N UCC, Ph. (319)335-2823 or 335-0659, by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date.

Questions should be directed to the Grants Office, International Programs, ip-grants@uiowa.edu, 335-2823 or 335-0659.

Please consider the environmental impact of your international travel.

Reporting Requirements

Upon returning from abroad, the awardee must file

  • a brief written report of what was accomplished during the trip and any anticipated follow-up activities,
  • a completed and signed travel expense voucher;
  • original receipts for the expenses for which reimbursement is requested.

Funding will normally be disbursed only after travel takes place, upon the awardee's submission of the report, the travel expense voucher, and the receipts to International Programs Grants Office, 1111N UCC, UI.