Conference & Professional Development Funding
Student Conference Funding
The Committee on Sustainability believes that conferences are a valuable way to learn and share new ideas between sustainability-minded individuals. Student participation in conferences will benefit W&M as new ideas are put into practice. W&M's talented student body also has much to share with other colleges and universities. COS provides grants for up to $300 per conference to support student attendance at sustainability-related conferences for registration, travel and lodging (hotels only, AirBnB style establishments are no longer acceptable per 2019 university policy).
Eligibility and the Application Process
1. How much will each recipient receive?
COS will award up to $300 per recipient to be applied toward transportation, lodging
COS will only fund two students to go to the same conference. However, if more than two students apply for the same conference and wish to split the award, they may do so. COS reserves the right to reduce the amount of the award if demand is overwhelming, but the award will not be reduced to below $100.
2. Who will be eligible to receive funds?
All students (including graduate students) are eligible to apply for COS funding for conferences, but preference will be given to members of COS working groups or the Steering Committee. Students may only receive funding once per academic year.
3. What is the application process?
COS will accept conference funding applications on a rolling basis--first come, first served. The applicant must submit the following items two weeks prior to the conference date:- a completed application
- conference registration form
- Travel Authorization Form
There will be no retroactive funding, and applications received less than two weeks prior to the conference date will not be accepted.
Conference Guidelines and Recipient Obligations
1. Which conferences or professionald development are eligible?
The conference must be related to campus sustainability in order for a student to receive COS funding. Preference is given to conferences located in the United States. See the Student Activities Conference Funding website for a detailed list of approved expenses.
2. How do I make purchases or get reimbursed?
After being awarded, you will work with senior operations manager, Lillian Stevens on the best way to go about purchasing or being reimbursed for your conference.
3. What do I do after it is complete?
Students must submit a blog (including at least 1 picture) for Hark Upon the Green about the conference to the sustainability director to ensure that both COS and the campus community benefit from the students experience. There is a possibility that the students may be asked to give a short presentation about their conference at a later date.
