GSG Travel & Research Grants

The Graduate Student Government (GSG) GSG Travel & research grants approximately $45,000 annually in travel awards. This travel money is available to students traveling to present or attend conferences, or traveling for their research, scholarship, creative activities, or career development. Currently the GSG is reviewing policy and procedures associated with travel requests and associated funding, please check back at the end of September 2022 for updated information.

Eligibility

• Eligible NAU graduate students may only receive one award, regardless of type (domestic or international), during each academic year (however, if a student chooses to relinquish their travel funds, they are eligible to apply for another travel award within the same year). Only degree-seeking graduate students enrolled in non-online programs are eligible for travel funds. Applicants must be in good academic standing, have no academic integrity violations on their record, be active in their program (i.e., new students must have started their fall or spring semester to be eligible), and not have graduated by the time of travel (as determined by the travel return date, not the application date). Retroactive funding (funding requested to support travel that happened prior to the request date) is not available.
• Please note that submitting an application for a travel award does not guarantee funding. In recent years, the GSG travel programs have become highly competitive. Priority is given to students presenting at the conference of a national/international organization (please see “Travel process” below). Even so, it is possible these students may be awarded less than the amount listed due to budget limitations. An application may be denied funding due to budget limitations.
• A travel award must be used for the specific activity/conference for which it was awarded. If a student received funding at the “presenting level” (Tiers 1-2, described below), but then only attends the conference, funding may be withdrawn completely, or reduced.
• If applicable, official documentation of acceptance to present at a conference prior to travel and follow up documentation that the presentation was actually completed are required. Please contact GSG for documentation required of applicants requesting Tier 4 funding (see below).
• Adherence to deadlines and providing complete and accurate information are essential to processing requests in a fair and organized manner. All submitted applications must be complete and accurate. The GSG is not responsible for inaccurate or incorrect application information. Applications will not be considered if the information is not complete, if the information is listed in the wrong areas on the application, if the association name is not fully listed (no abbreviations, please), etc.
• Please note that release of travel funding is contingent on completing post conference steps:
• You MUST submit a copy of receipt for registration, lodging, or transportation and official documentation that you attended the conference. Examples include a copy of your conference name badge, copy of a program listing you as a conference presenter, or photo evidence by emailing documentation to GSGTravel@nau.edu within 5 days of your return; your travel award will be forfeited if this documentation is not received. Once this documentation is received, the Graduate College in conjunction with the GSG Travel Committee will process your reimbursement with NAU’s Employee Service Center (ESC).

Benefits

Funding may only be used to cover the following costs:

• Transportation to and from the conference, competition, or research site
• Lodging (but not food)
• Conference/competition registration fees

What are Travel grants?

Application Process

• To apply for a GSG travel award: All applications must be submitted electronically by filling out the NAU Graduate Student Government travel award application. Please read the entire application carefully before beginning to fill it out.
• Apply here