Participation in professional conferences, meetings, and creative competitions is a wonderful opportunity for students’ professional development. JMU’s Student Awards, Initiatives, and Research (STAIR) in the Office of Research, Economic Development, and Innovation (REDI) offers a competitive and selective travel grant program. This program supports undergraduate students across various disciplines in sharing their scholarly and creative work with their academic and professional communities.
Eligibility (must meet all requirements)
- The student must be a full-time undergraduate student currently enrolled and in good standing at James Madison University.
- The student must be one of the identified authors/presenters who contributed to the work.
- The presentation must have been accepted for consideration for an award before the application deadline.
- Travel must occur during the academic year for which the student applies (July 1-June 30th).
- The applicant must have not received a travel grant in the current academic year. Students may reapply if their initial grant application was unsuccessful.
Purpose of Awards
The Undergraduate Travel Grant Award is designed to supplement travel support provided by other sources such as home department or college, professional associations, conference assistance, and external fellowships. STAIR strongly encourage applicants to seek additional funding for their travel needs.
Evaluation Criteria
Primary consideration will be given to:
- Quality of Described Work: The importance and potential impact of the project within its field or community, as detailed in the abstract.
- Significance of the Conference: The importance and relevance of the conference to the applicant.
- Impact on Professional Development: How participation in the conference will contribute to the applicant's professional growth and career trajectory.
- Quality of Overall Application: The clarity and completeness with which the applicant articulates the project's significance and impact.
Secondary criteria:
- Student Opportunity: Consideration will be given to students who have not previously had the opportunity to present at a conference.
- Matching Funds: Consideration will be given to the applicant's efforts in obtaining additional funding to supplement this travel grant.
Application Guidelines
The following explains how to answer questions about the abstract, significance, impacts, and benefits of your research or creative project to strengthen your application for support.
What is an Abstract?
A well-crafted abstract succinctly summarizes your project, offering clear context, methodology, innovation, and contributions to the field. For the purposes of the JMU Travel Grant Award, your abstract should be accessible to a broad audience, including those outside your area of study, ensuring it is understandable to any educated reader. If you use jargon and acronyms exclusive of your discipline, make sure to briefly explain or define them, as the abstracts will be evaluated by people outside of your discipline.
Abstract for STEM disciplines:
- Background: Provide a brief context to explain the problem you are addressing and why your investigation is important.
- Methodology: Describe the methods you used to conduct the research, such as procedures, techniques, and tools employed. If your approach is unique or innovative, make sure to indicate that in your abstract.
- Results: Summarize your main findings and how they advance the current knowledge.
- Conclusion: Explain the impact of your findings and their potential applications.
Abstract for non-STEM disciplines:
- Background: Provide a brief context for your investigation or creative project explaining the themes or questions you will analyze, and/or your role/involvement in the process. If you are participating in an exposition or competition, explicitly mention the name of the event and explain its purpose and scope to help the reviewers understand the context where you will present your art or performance.
- Methodology: Describe the approach or methodology you used to conduct your analysis, investigation, or creative work. This could include theoretical frameworks, analytical techniques, specific sources, or new reading and perspectives for creative inquiry. If you are participating in an exposition or competition, explain what new tools, techniques, and approaches you plan to use in your exhibition or performance.
- Results: Summarize the main findings, products, or arguments of your work. Highlight the key points that you discovered or developed. If applicable, describe what makes your project/exhibition/performance stand out within your field and how it may impact the audience/jurors.
- Conclusion: Explain how your project/exhibition/performance advances practices or knowledge in your discipline
Impact
Explain how you expect the presentation/performance/exhibition will impact the community of practitioners and what impact the event will have on your academic and professional growth. This may include:
- Intrinsic Value: Why is the event, conference, meeting, exhibition or competition important for people in your field of study and what will be the expected impact of your project on this community?
- Networking: Discuss the connections you hope to make and the importance of these connections to your current and future activities.
- Experiences: Describe the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from attending this event, conference, meeting, exhibition or competition?
Significance
Describe the significance of attending the meeting/conference/competition/exhibit and how the event will enhance your education, career, and professional goals. This may include:
- Field Impact: How does your participation will help you in your field of study?
- Educational Growth: How will it enhance your JMU education, both now and post-graduation?
- Career Advancement: How does it align with your professional goals and prepare you for future career opportunities?
Types of Awards
|
Type of Award |
Description |
Amount |
|
Regional Travel |
Students traveling to a conference in the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and southern Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh & Philadelphia) |
$250 |
|
National/International Travel |
National: Students traveling within the United States to states that are not listed in the regional travel guidelines (not including Hawaii and Alaska). International: Students traveling outside of the United States, and to Hawaii and Alaska. |
$700
|
Reimbursement Policy
Travel reimbursement is limited to permitted expenses as defined by university policy, requires prior authorization, and will require proper documentation of expenses. Students receiving grants should discuss and arrange in advance their travel plans with the staff member in their academic department who assists with travel reimbursements. Award payments will be processed from the current year's funds and expenses must be submitted by June 15 of each year. Upon completion of travel, the Division of Research, Economic Development, and Scholarship (REDI) will transfer funds to the academic department to permit the reimbursement of expenses.
All reimbursements are handled through the student’s academic department. It is the student’s responsibility to complete all university required authorization and reimbursement forms in their academic department by the deadline. Travel must occur within the fiscal year in which the grant is awarded (i.e., between July 1 and June 30th).
Deadlines
Fall 2025 deadline:
October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
For more information, contact studentresearch@jmu.edu.
Application
Submission for the Undergraduate Travel Grant Award is open!
Undergraduate travel grant application form
JMU's Undergraduate Travel Grant Award is a program of the Office of Student Awards, Initiatives and Research (STAIR) supported by the Office of Research, Economic Development, and Innovation (REDI).
