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

Online Applications due by March 28, 2008 at 5pm.
(Note: For conference dates from May 1, 2008 – August 31, 2008.)

Background

The OGSR/GSA Conference Funding competitively awards graduate students in the College of William & Mary School of Arts and Sciences 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

Conference Dates	2007-2008 Deadline (5pm on specified date)
September 1, 2007 - December 31, 2007	November 2, 2007
January 1, 2008 – April 30, 2008	February 2, 2008
May 1, 2008 – August 31, 2008	March 28, 2008

The Conference Funding deadlines are generally in early October, early February, and late April. They are typically adjusted to occur on a Friday during the academic year, when the GSA Committee for Conference Funding members will be available to review the applications. Each deadline will be determined at least a semester in advance.

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 who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a talk at the Graduate Research Symposium 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.
• Individuals can receive one award per calendar year.
• Award recipients who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a talk at the Graduate Research Symposium (March 28 and 29, 2008) unless the date of the Symposium conflicts with the conference the recipient is attending. Exceptions may be granted on an individual basis.
• To receive Conference Funding, respective GSA Department Representative must be in good standing.

Ready to apply for conference funding? Proceed to the applicaiton. By clicking the link, you certify that you have read and understand the Conference Funding requirements.

Picking Up Your Check

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

1. OGSR/GSA Conference Funding is distributed to your department, so follow your department’s reimbursement procedures.
2. 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.
3. 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

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 academic year.
• Award recipients who are traveling as conference presenters are required to give a talk at the Graduate Research Symposium (March 28 and 29, 2008) 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 Andrew Jones at with questions.