Grad Student Travel Award
Overview
The Graduate School Travel Award supports UAF graduate students as they advance scholarship, share discoveries, and build essential professional connections. These awards reflect the Graduate School’s commitment to fostering research excellence and ensuring students can engage fully with the broader academic and scientific community.
UAF master’s and doctoral students may request up to $1,500 to help offset the cost of academic or research-related travel.
These awards are designed to expand access, not to fully fund individual trips—allowing more students to participate in conferences, fieldwork, performances, exhibitions, training, and other professional experiences that strengthen their graduate education. Students are responsible for securing any additional funding needed.
Preference is given to students who are:
-
Presenting their own research or creative work
-
Conducting thesis/dissertation-related fieldwork
-
Using research facilities or labs
-
Participating in professional training or workshops
To be considered, applicants must meet the following:
Academic Standing
-
Maintain a GPA above 3.0
-
Be registered at UAF during the semester of travel (summer exempt)
-
Must be enrolled in a minimum 6 graduate credits per academic year
-
Have an approved Graduate Study Plan or Advancement to Candidacy
-
Have a current Annual Academic Progress Report (within 12 months) on file showing satisfactory progress
Purpose of Travel
Travel must directly support the student's:
-
Graduate research
-
Degree progress
-
Professional development
-
Scholarly or creative contribution
Examples include conferences, workshops, exhibitions, performances, and field research.
Additional Requirements
-
Travel must be entered into Concur
-
Travel must occur within the same fiscal year
-
Travel must occur within the award period
-
Expense reports must be submitted by June 20th
Students may request funding for:
-
Airfare or ground transportation
-
Lodging
-
Meals and incidental expenses
-
Conference or event registration
-
Poster printing or presentation materials
-
Other standard travel costs related to the proposed activity
-
Apply as soon as travel dates are set; Must have Travel Authorization in Concur
-
Applications are due on the 15th of October, December, February, and April
-
Award decisions are released approximately one week later
-
Students may apply multiple times during the cycle but may receive only one award per academic year
-
Awards apply only to the travel described in the application; any changes require a new submission