The Department of Ethnic Studies has limited funds available to partially support graduate students to attend professional meetings for presenting an academic paper. Each academic year, graduate students may apply for up to $750 to attend one conference in which they will be presenting a paper. Priority will be given to students presenting at a national conference in Ethnic Studies or in their area of specialty (e.g. the annual meetings for the American Studies Association, Critical Ethnic Studies Association, Native American and Indigenous Studies Association, etc.).

Applicants must complete and submit the form below, along with a proposal (350-400 words) that describes the conference you will be attending, your goals for professional development, and the proposed use of the funds—including a budget that breaks down the costs of the conference travel. Applicants must also include written evidence of acceptance in the conference. NOTE: This form is unable to save your work. There is a "preview" feature that will allow you to see your application before submitting.

Proposals will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt. Please allow for this and all stipulations in the department Travel Reimbursement Policy when preparing your submission. 

Requirements:

  • The student must be actively enrolled in the graduate program of the Department of Ethnic Studies, and be in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.50.
  • The topic of the paper for conference funding requests must be in an area of study in Ethnic Studies.
  • This application must be endorsed by the student’s advisor as indicated by the electronic signature at the bottom of this application.
  • The application must be accompanied by all the necessary documentation (abstract, etc.)
  • All applicants must demonstrate that they have been accepted to participate at the conference and provide a letter of acceptance.  
  • All applications for department funds will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Priority is given to students who present papers at major international, national, and regional conferences in American and Ethnic Studies.
  • The application for travel funds should be completed and turned in prior to the date of conference participation.
  • Preference will be given to students who have not received prior funding in the same academic year. Please note that second conference trips in a single academic year will not be funded.

    Exception:

    For students actively on the job market, it is possible to receive a travel grant even if not presenting a paper. However, preference is given to students who:

    • Serve as a discussant, panel chair, or round table participant; or
    • Have proposed a paper or poster

    If you are granted travel funding:

    Students are responsible for reading and adhering to the department Travel Reimbursement Policy. 

    Application Form:

    Please upload a proposal that describes: a) why you hope to attend this conference, b) how you see it contributing to your professional and scholarly development, and c) your proposed use of the funds from the department (i.e., a budget narrative). In the same attachment, you should also include a detailed budget that breaks down the costs you are requesting funding for, such as conference fees, airline tickets, hotel accommodations, meals, etc. Specifications: 350-400 words, double-spaced, paginated, student name at the top of each page. NOTE: Please convert all files to .pdf before uploading (e.g., "save as" file format: PDF). Be sure to click "Upload" after you select the file.
    Files must be less than 2 MB.
    Allowed file types: pdf.
    Please upload your written evidence of acceptance to the conference. This can be in the form of an email. All files must be uploaded as .pdf (typically, you can select the email and choose "Export as PDF"). Be sure to click "Upload" after you select the file. NOTE: If you are actively on the job market and you seek funding to attend a conference but aren't presenting a paper, please upload a statement that describes any meetings or interviews scheduled regarding job placement.
    Files must be less than 2 MB.
    Allowed file types: pdf.
    By entering your name, you affirm that you have received the endorsement of your primary faculty adviser for this application.
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