Travel Grants

Travel Recommendations

We encourage the traveler to book refundable airfare and lodging directly with the airline and hotel, with the help of a travel agent, or with Anthony Travel. Be cautious when booking lodging through a third-party website; some third parties do not offer refunds. Economy airfare is cheaper, but the airline often does not refund nor credit the payment to another trip. Review the airline’s refund and cancellation policies before booking. The Graduate School does not reimburse the student for travel that was not taken, so the student could lose the funds spent on economy airfare.

Graduate School travel grants are designed to help defray costs incurred by graduate students traveling to a conference or professional meeting to present research conducted at the University of Arkansas.

Available Grants (Subject to Availability of Funds)

Presentation Travel Grants

250 doctoral/MFA student travel grants: reimbursement of the total approved travel expenses per university travel policy, up to a maximum award of $1,100 for travel approved after July 1, 2022.

75 master/educational specialist travel grants (graduate certificate not funded): reimbursement of the total approved travel expenses per university travel policy, up to a maximum award of $700 for travel approved after July 1, 2022.

  • Once the maximum allocation in each category above has been reached, no further travel grants will be approved for the fiscal year (July 1-June 30).
  • If the maximum number of grants is not awarded during the first half of the fiscal year (July 1- December 31), the dean of the graduate school may approve grants be made available in the second half of the fiscal year (January 1- June 30). This is solely at the dean’s discretion and is contingent on available funding.

Research Travel Grants

  • Research travel grants are disbursed to the student account and paid through Financial Aid, not through Workday (no spend authorization or expense report is required).

 

  • Students MUST submit a budget detailing how the funds will be spent. Applications without a budget will be returned to the student.

 

 

  • Submit the research grant application at least one month prior to the start of travel to allow for processing.

 

  • Students must submit proof of travel upon their return (lodging/meal receipts, transportation, etc.). Failure to submit proof of travel may result in the funds being withdrawn.

If the student’s plans change, it is the student’s responsibility to notify the Graduate School (gradfunding@uark.edu) prior to the start of the trip.

 

Limited time program (PhD and EdD students only):

Doctoral students may apply for a second travel grant during the year (July 1 – June 30) that will support research activities necessary for the completion of the dissertation.

  • The location and duration of the work, nature of the research/training, and necessity of engaging in the research for dissertation completion must be explained fully on the Research Travel Grant Application.
  • A complete application contains 3 documents:
    • An application
    • A memo of support from the department/advisor that further explains the necessity of the research must be submitted with the application
    • A budget detailing how the funds will be spent

Maximum travel grant amount is $1,100. 

  • 50 research travel grants will be available July 1 – December 31.
    • 25 are allocated for DDF/DAF students.
    • 25 are allocated for other doctoral students.
  • 50 research travel grants will be available January 1 – June 30.
    • 25 are allocated for DDF/DAF students.
    • 25 are allocated for other doctoral students.
  • Doctoral students may not receive two Research Travel Grants in the same year

International Travel Supplement

Limited time program (PhD and EdD students only):

PhD and EdD doctoral students may apply for a travel supplement of $2,000 if they are presenting at an international conference/congress/symposium that takes place outside of the US. The request must accompany the Presentation Travel Grant Application.
  • The maximum amount a student can receive is $1,100 from the Presentation Travel Grant and $2,000 from the International Travel Supplement for a total of $3,100.
  • Students who are awarded an International Travel Supplement may not receive another travel grant (including a research travel grant) of any kind for the year (July 1 – June 30).
  • A total of 30 International Travel Supplements are available for the year:
    • 15 are allocated for the period July 1 – December 31, and
    • 15 are allocated for the period January 1 – June 30.
  • These will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Terms and Conditions

  • Travel grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • A graduate student may receive one travel grant per fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
    • EXCEPTION: Doctoral students may apply for a research travel grant that does not require presentation. Research support may include accessing archives, receiving laboratory training with equipment and/or on methodologies that are not available on the University of Arkansas, or attending workshops that provide training. The research must be necessary for the student to finish the dissertation. A limited number of research travel grants are available.
  • A travel grant may not be split between two trips.
  • Submission of the application does not guarantee an award.
  • Graduate students should actively seek additional sources of funding support for travel (e.g., from conference sponsors, professional organizations, academic colleges, and personal funds).
  • It is recommended, but not required that departments commit 10% of the total travel expenses.
  • Only travel to professional meetings and conferences will be funded (applies to Presentation Travel Grants with/without International Travel Supplement). The purpose of the travel will be to present the graduate student’s research that has been conducted at, and bears the name of, the University of Arkansas.
  • In the case of multiple graduate students working on a presentation, only one student will be funded as the presenter.
  • Airline reservations must be made at least 14 days in advance of the trip, in accordance with university travel policy.
  • If a graduate student has a choice between driving and flying to the destination, reimbursement is based on which transportation method is least expensive.
  • If a graduate student receives a travel grant, but does not use it, the student MUST notify both the Graduate School and the department that the travel grant will not be used.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The applicant must be in good academic standing and in a U of A graduate degree program at the time of travel.
  • The applicant must be enrolled as a full-time graduate student during the semester the travel occurs, but the following exceptions may be considered:
    • Students on 9-month graduate assistant appointment who are not funded during the summer are not required to enroll during the summer.
    • Students who have been approved for reduced enrollment may have one travel grant while on reduced enrollment.
  • Students who have graduated from their graduate degree program are not eligible for travel grant funding after the graduation date.
  • University of Arkansas appointed employees who meet the full-time enrollment requirement for the semester of travel may apply for a travel grant.

Application Process

A completed application with all required information and supporting documentation should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Program Support, GEAR 213 or gradfund@uark.edu, at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the travel. Graduate students are encouraged to submit applications well in advance to take advantage of early-bird registration and travel discounts. Late applications may be denied. Incomplete applications will be returned to the graduate student.

 

A complete application includes:

  • Graduate Student Travel Grant Application (use appropriate form, based on type of travel request):
  • An abstract of the paper/poster being presented – for Presentation Travel Grants
    • Panel/oral presentations require a statement from the graduate student explaining how the student’s research is the basis for the presentation. Performance/portfolio presentations require a statement explaining how the student’s graduate study is the basis for the presentation.
  • Proof of paper/poster acceptance, if available, at the time of application
    • Proof of acceptance can include an email from the conference committee or a screen shot of the presentation listing from the conference program. If the acceptance is received after the travel grant application is submitted, the acceptance should be sent separately as soon as it is received. If no acceptance notice, or other proof of presentation is submitted, the travel grant will be cancelled.

Completed applications will be reviewed and both the graduate student and the department contact(s) listed on the application will be notified by email. Please allow 2-3 weeks for review and processing.

Reimbursement for Approved Expenses

  • Students will work with their departments on travel arrangements and submit all necessary travel receipts to the department for processing.
  • Departments will receive the travel grant worktag to use in submitting Spend Authorizatons (SAs) and Expense Reports (ERs) in Workday. The worktag will be sent to the department contact person listed on the travel grant application. An SA or ER that exceeds the travel grant maximum for a student will be returned to the department for adjustment.
  • Only approved expenses per the university’s travel policy will be reimbursed. Once the reimbursement has been processed, no supplemental claims will be accepted.

    • Important Caution Regarding Car Rentals: The University has existing vehicle rental contracts in place with Enterprise, Hertz and National. These contracts include extensive liability insurance that is extremely important when traveling for the university. Other non-contract rental vendors like Budget, Alamo or Turo Rentals are not considered approved, reimbursable costs. For more information, review the Transportation category under the university’s travel policy.

Additional Grants from the Graduate Professional Student Congress

The Graduate and Professional Student Congress (GPSC) is thrilled to provide funding opportunities for students who are presenting their original work. The GPSC Travel Grant is designed to assist with expenses related to travel and presentation of research at academic conferences. Eligible costs may encompass registration fees, airfare, hotel expenses, and other associated items. Please email the GPSC Treasurer, gpsctres@uark.edu, or visit the GPSC website (opens new window) for further information, including links to the application and deadlines.