Research & Travel Support

GRAF has a budget to support graduate student research activities and travel to conventions, if the student is presenting a paper or poster. Only one trip per year is supported. In general, only one presenter per paper or poster is supported. Preference is given to first authors. For research proposals, preference is given to thesis and dissertation research.

GRAF meets twice a year to review research requests – in early Fall and late Winter. Travel requests are reviewed only once a year at the late Winter meeting.

All awards are made on a reimbursement basis; in other words, after GRAF makes you an aware, you need to submit original receipts to obtain the money. Like the rest of the university, GRAF’s budget operates on the fiscal year that begins July 1 and end the following June. When submitting proposals, you must only list expenses for the current fiscal year. If you are attending a conference in the summer, submit in the prior spring if the conference occurs before July 1; submit the next year if it occurs after July 1.

1. Research proposals: A proposal, five to ten pages in length, is required. The guidelines for preparing research proposals are available here in PDF format. Research awards are never more than $500, and generally are no more than $250 - $300. Only submit proposals for funds that will be spent during the current fiscal year.



2. Travel by Air: Travel money is only available to students actually presenting papers/posters. Students receive a certain percentage (determined by the amount of available money and the number of request) of the least expensive airfare costs. GRAF only supports one conference trip per student per year. The conference must be within the continental U.S. or Canada. GRAF’s intent is to fund up to 75% of the airfare when all sources of support are considered, e.g. advisor’s grant, GSAC funds, etc. View PDF travel request forms.



3. Requests under $50.00: Requests for research expenses under $50.00 (i.e., supplies, Xeroxing, subjects) should be submitted directly to GRAF Head. These requests can be considered and funded at any time during the academic year. Requests should not exceed one page and should include a brief justification.



4. Reimbursements: Proposals can include requests for reimbursement of funds that you spent on research or travel at any time after July 1st of the academic year and prior to June 30th of the academic year. You cannot be reimbursed for expenses unless you submit receipts before the end of the fiscal year. With the exception of the tax on airline tickets, you cannot be reimbursed for taxes.

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