The College of Letters & Science is pleased to announce the inaugural Dean's Student Travel Fund application period, starting Fall 2019.

The Dean’s Student Travel Fund program provides a $1,000 travel grant for undergraduates and graduate students to present original research, papers, or posters at professional and academic conferences.

Eligibility & Award Stipulations

  • Student researcher
    These awards are available to undergraduate and graduate students with majors within the College of Letters & Science.
  • Students may apply for a $1,000 award to present papers or posters at a conference. Expenses can include airfare, lodging, mileage and/or conference registration fees. Please be aware that the College cannot fund students who will only be attending a conference and not presenting.
  • This award cannot be used for trips to complete or shadow research. 
  • Please keep in mind that approval of applications will not be made until a few weeks into each semester, so plan accordingly and have a backup plan if you are not approved for funding. 

Application

Students must submit the following packet to clsawards@montana.edu.

  1. Contact information, including full name, major, phone number, email address, number of credits completed and GPA. Students should include this information in a cover sheet.
  2. Summary of opportunity you are applying to: Research topic, location, name and dates of conference.
  3. Two (2) recommendation letters from faculty members speaking to student potential and specific research opportunity.
  4. Essay component (500-600 words): What are your broader research goals and interests? What are the broader impacts of your research?

Award Periods

Please note, applying out of award period (for example, applying early during Fall for a Spring opportunity) will disqualify your application; your application will not be reviewed. There are two award periods during any given academic year:

Fall Application Period

This period covers opportunities occurring between July 1 and December 31. Fall application becomes available on the first day of each Fall semester. Any travel occurring between July 1 and notification of award will be considered for retroactive reimbursement.

Spring Application Period

This covers opportunities occurring between January 1 and June 30. Spring application becomes available on the first day of each Spring semester. Any travel occurring between January 1 and notification of award will be considered for retroactive reimbursement.

Application Due Dates, 2019-2020 Academic Year

Travel Between July 1 and December 31, 2019 - Application available first day of Fall semester

The Fall 2019 application for travel between July 1 and December 31, 2019, will be open on August 26, 2019 and will be due by Friday, September 13, 2019 by 5:00 p.m. 

Travel Between January 1 and June 30, 2020 - Application available first day of Spring semester

The Spring 2020 application for travel between January 1 and June 30, 2020 is due by Friday, January 31, 2020 by 5:00 p.m. 

Selection

Students will be selected by an awards committee (comprised of CLS faculty & staff) each semester. The committee meets twice an academic year (once in fall, once in spring). 

Acceptance

Students will work with their home department on spending their awards. Award recipients will be expected to attend and be a part of a CLS Dean's Student Travel Fund research open house by the end of the academic year.