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.
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 to be announced soon
For more information, contact studentresearch@jmu.edu.
Application
The 2024-2025 Undergraduate Travel Grant Award is now closed
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).
