Student Travel Award Policy

The purpose of the IDGP Student Travel Awards Program is to encourage students to
attend conferences and workshops by providing funds to supplement travel costs. Attending professional events is one of the best ways to learn about a discipline and begin building professional networks.

All PhD students in the MCB, NSB, OEB, and PB programs who are in good
academic standing are eligible to receive supplemental funds to attend conferences and workshops once per fiscal year, up to a lifetime limit of $2,500, depending on budget availability. Starting in their 3rd year, students must present their research to be eligible for travel funds to attend a conference or workshop.

• $450 before completing the qualifying exam / Prospectus
• $800 after completing the qualifying exam / Prospectus

Travel prior approval is required for all UMass student travel: Pre-Travel Authorization
(Required Before Booking Travel): Pre-Travel Authorization (Required Before Booking Travel) UMass Office of the President

Important: The pre-travel approval must be requested from either your home department's chair or your graduate program director. Please refer to your CONCUR profile for further information on your assigned delegate.

Once pre-travel authorization via CONCUR has been obtained, submit your request to the IDGP Office using this form including the following information:

• Student’s Advisor Full Name
• Student’s Home Department Name
• Have you completed your Prospectus? YES/NO
• Year of study in the graduate program
• Travel Registration / pre-authorization ID
• Conference (name, location and dates)

Once a query for a travel award has been submitted, the IDGP Office will confirm your GPD’s approval for the travel award.

Students may receive travel awards as an account transfer, either to the Faculty Advisor or to their Home Department. Students should work with their Advisor and Home department for scheduling, payment and/or reimbursement of travel, registration, and lodging.