Scientist and AGU Development Board member Jamie Austin has issued a challenge to the AGU membership and Earth and space science community. Austin will generously match all donations to the Austin Endowment for Student Travel up to the amount of $1 million. With your support, we have the opportunity to create a fund of $2 million to support students attending AGU Fall Meetings. Meeting this challenge is an opportunity, and we need your help.
Student travel grants are an investment in the future of the Earth and space sciences and the undergraduate and Ph.D. students from around the world hoping to defray the costs of presenting their science.
Student applications for travel grant support far exceed the number of available grants. Over the years, student travel grant applications have grown to approximately 1,000 each year. AGU is currently able to support 220 student travel grants each year—there is room to grow to meet the needs of = future Earth and space scientists. Meeting this challenge will take the entire AGU community, and we need your help.
Financial support from the AGU’s travel grant programs increases opportunities for women, underrepresented minorities, and
international students to attend Fall Meeting. The Earth and space science community knows that attending an AGU meeting as a student can be a transforming experience that builds confidence, grows perspective, and forges a new network of scientist peers.
In 2012, in alignment with AGU’s commitment to increasing diversity in the geosciences, the selection process pivoted to give priority to women, underrepresented minorities in the U.S., and international students. The result has been a dramatic increase in opportunities for these groups to share and receive feedback on their research.
Support the Austin Endowment for Student Travel Grant Challenge and make a donation in any amount. Your gift will be matched by Jamie Austin and will have double the impact, going even further in supporting student experiences at Fall Meeting.
