Travel Procedures and Funds

Travel Funding Options

The Graduate School – The Graduate School is eager to offer two kinds of travel support: Travel to Professional Meetings, and Travel to Support Doctoral Research. Each award can amount up to $400. Submit this as soon as your abstract is accepted!

The Biology Department – The Biology Department also has limited travel funds. In order to receive this funding, you must have proof of Graduate School funds and receive Departmental Travel Authorization (see section below).

The Smith Fellowship - The Smith Fellowship is a great place to secure travel funds and is the last step after securing Graduate School and Departmental funding.  The amount awarded per student per academic year is $400. You MUST have FAFSA (domestic students) or CSS (international students) on file with Financial Aid. Once the Department receives notice that you have been awarded a Graduate School travel award, you will automatically be reviewed for eligibility to receive Smith Fellowship funds. Eligibility for these funds is as follows:

• You must be a post-candidacy student in 4th or 5th year of study
• You must be presenting at the conference (either oral or poster presentations)
• You did not receive Smith Fellowship funds for travel the previous academic year
   

Travel Authorization

First, you must apply for the Graduate School Travel Funds. While you are waiting to hear back from them, create a detailed itinerary for your trip, including all projected costs that you anticipate having to pay. Once your itinerary is complete and you have heard back from the Graduate School, CMHD students schedule a meeting with Brittany Brooks and EEO students schedule a meeting with Kristie Curttright. They will walk you through step-by-step with the travel authorization forms as well as assisting you with any Departmental funding you may qualify for!