What's Inside:

What is GAPSA?

GAPSA works for excellence in the graduate and professional experience... more >>

Search GAPSA

The Councils

COGS
SODSC
GradSEHD
Law Council
MBA Association (Carlson)
Medical School Council
Nursing College Board
Pharmacy College Board
SPHSS
Vet Med Council

One Stop | Directories | Search U of M

 

GAPSA Travel Grants

***GAPSA is no longer accepting applications for Travel Grants for 2007-2008.***

Statement of Purpose:

GAPSA Travel Grants are intended to help support necessary professional or academic travel for current graduate and professional students of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and Duluth campuses. Eligible travel expenses include airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and conference/meeting registration fee. Ground transportation and lodging within the Twin Cities Metro area and alcohol are not eligible expenses. Due to limited funding, GAPSA Travel Grants are available only to students who present their research findings at conferences or professional meetings.

Eligibility:

The GAPSA Travel Grants are available only to current GAPSA members (Graduate or professional students of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and Duluth who pay the GAPSA Fee). You must provide proof of payment of this fee (a print-out of the University account statement will suffice). Grants are intended to offer partial support of travel for an individual or group of students traveling together.

Applications for grants must be submitted electronically to gapsaga@umn.edu. To minimize possible problems, please use the U's Webmail program when sending attachments. See the GAPSA Grants Deadlines.

GAPSA Travel Grant Application Form (DOC)

GAPSA Travel Grant Evaluation Form (DOC)

Guidelines for GAPSA Travel Grants

  1. Grants will be awarded to graduate and professional students without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
  2. Grants will be awarded only to current graduate or professional students of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and Duluth who pay the GAPSA Fee. Any graduate or professional student who is not charged the GAPSA fee directly by the administration may choose to take advantage of GAPSA services by paying the fee within 15 business days from the start of the semester.
  3. Grants will not be awarded to support full funding for the travel. The applicant must demonstrate efforts to secure funding beyond this grant program in their application. GAPSA is not able to give advances for travel. Awards will be given in full after the travel expenses have occurred and the grantee submits appropriate receipts and documentation as requested in the final evaluation.
  4. A graduate or professional student may apply for one grant per academic year for up to $500 for international travel and up to $400 for travel within North America (please note that North America includes Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, etc). Students requesting support for summer travel may do so during the spring grant period (Travel grants are subject to funds availability. Due to the overwhelming demand, Travel Grant funds usually become exhausted before the end of the spring semester.). Last year’s average grant awarded for international travel was $200 and for within North America was $162.
  5. To be considered for funding, the applications must provide accurate and detailed information about the travel for which the funding is being sought. Incomplete proposals will not be considered for funding. In addition to your completed application, you are required to include the following documents:
    1. Proof of payment of GAPSA Fee
    2. An official letter or email confirming that you are presenting (If you are applying as a group, all group members must be presenting).
  6. Applicants may also consider including some or all of the following documents to help support a request:
    1. A copy of the conference/meeting program
    2. A letter from your adviser discussing the professional importance of attending the conference/meeting
    3. Abstract of your research paper (please do not submit the full paper)
    4. A copy of your registration confirmation
    5. A copy of your travel itinerary
  7. GAPSA will not fund travels retroactively. Your travel should take place after the next GAPSA General Assembly meeting from the date you submit the application (Please check the GAPSA General Assembly meeting dates before submitting your application).

Travel Grants Application Procedures

  1. Applications for grants must be submitted ELECTRONICALLY to gapsaga@umn.edu using the GAPSA Travel Grant Application form before 12:00 p.m. on the day of the grant deadline. Only complete applications will be considered.
  2. Supporting documentation (conference flyer, program, letters of support, itinerary, airline ticket, etc.) must be received in the GAPSA office by the application deadline. There are no exceptions.
  3. Applicants may be required to appear before the grants committee to present their requests for funding. You will receive an email notification as to the time and location for your short presentation if it is necessary. If you do not attend that meeting, your request will not be considered.
  4. Recommendations to award funds will be made by the GAPSA Grants committee. The commitee recommendations are not finalized until ratified by the GAPSA General Assembly.
  5. The GAPSA Travel Grant Evaluation Form (DOC), including the copies of receipts (no less than the total grant amount) must be submitted within 30 days following the travel.