Travel Grants & Professional Development Grants

Travel Grants

To help subsidize the costs of participating in and presenting conferences, the Graduate Student Government (GSG) offers travel grants. You can apply at any time for conferences that fall within the current GSG session (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but you are encouraged to apply in the semester that coincides with your conference.

Types of Travel Grants

Up to $500 for presenting at a domestic conference.
Up to $750 for presenting at an international conference.

Please note that this grant availability is valid for in-person presentations only (not attending).

Am I Eligible?

There are a few requirements you need to meet to be eligible for a travel grant:

Enrolled in at least one credit during the semester of the conference.
The conference must take place between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025.
You must not have full funding for the conference from another source.
Your adviser must respond to an eligibility verification email from GSG.
At least one GSG representative from your department must be in good standing.

Is There a Deadline?

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from May 16, 2024 – April 30, 2025, for conferences that fall within the academic year. Awards are equitably allocated to students based on funding need. Students with no funding from any other sources will be priotized over students that are partially funded, or similar cases. Grant amount is distributed based on actual expenses incurred on conference travel.

You are allowed to receive only one travel grant between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025.
Submit a Travel Expense Report (TER) with original receipts attached to the TER to the GSG Office no later than 30 days from the date of the conference.

Disclosure: A limited number of travel grants are awarded each session, hence applying does not guarantee an award. Notification of acceptence/decline will be sent upon review of the application.

Steps to apply

A GSG travel grant will need to be signed by the GSG treasurer and the Graduate School BEFORE obtaining departmental signatures. Once the GSG and Graduate School sign the form, it will be returned to you for obtaining the necessary departmental signatures. It will be your responsibility to submit the form to Travel Accounting.

Fill out the form (excluding departmental signatures).
Email the filled-out form to the GSG treasurer (gsg-treasurer@mtu.edu). On the top of the form, they will sign and add the travel grant amount and index. They will forward it to the Grad School for signature and return the form to you.
Obtain necessary departmental signatures.
Submit to Travel Accounting.

Use the form below to apply

Apply here

How Does Reimbursement Work?

Submit forms for reimbursement no later than 30 days from the last day of the participated conference.
Submit a Travel Expense Report with original receipts attached as a single PDF file.
Refer to Accounting Services website for the Michigan Tech travel policy in its entirety.
Submit all information to GSG Treasurer via email (gsg-treasurer@mtu.edu).
Set up Non-Payroll Direct Deposit to speed up the reimbursement process. More information

Professional Development Grant

In addition to offering travel grants, during the 2024-2025 session, GSG will be offering Professional Development Grant for enrolled graduate students.

Professional Development Grant: It covers the cost (up to $250) of a professional course, a certification/degree, a training, workshop, or membership fees (including publication fees) of a professional organization that is aligned with your degree and/or coursework.

Eligibility

Students are eligible for one grant during the current GSG session (May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025).
Training or certification must be approved by the student’s academic advisor and the GSG treasurer.
Memberships and subscriptions are eligible for the Professional Development Grant.
Students will be reimbursed for certification after submitting verification of completion to the GSG treasurer.
Students must be enrolled in at least one credit.
Students must not have available funding from another source.
Department must be in good standing with GSG.
Using the Professional Development Grant will exclude the student from receiving a Travel Grant in the same academic year.

Apply here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Travel Grant Q&A

Eligibility: Full-time graduate student, department in good standing, advisor’s approval, legitimate conference.
Frequency: Once per academic year (May 1st – April 30th).
Reimbursement: Requested after the conference with receipts submitted within 30 days.
Application Timing: Apply as early as possible within the semester of the conference.
Abstract Not Accepted: Reimbursement expected upon abstract acceptance.
Proof of Presentation: Email confirming abstract acceptance.

Reimbursement Q&A

Receipts: Required for all expenses including conference registration, lodging, and airfare with the student’s name.
Partial Support: Include other funding sources.
Lodging Paid by Others: Reimburse them and provide documentation.
Lost Receipts: No reimbursement without proof.
Car Rentals/Rideshares: Receipts must include travel cost, tip, and tax.

Professional Development Grant Q&A

Covered Expenses: Online/in-person classes, workshops, memberships. Confirm eligibility via email to the treasurer.
Eligibility Criteria: Full-time status, department in good standing, advisor’s approval.
No Advisor: Contact department chair or director of graduate programs.
Frequency: Once per academic year.
Receipts Required: For expenses and proof of course completion.

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