1.      What if I don’t have a formal invitation to present?

2.      I am planning to attend a conference, but I’m not presenting. Am I still eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?

3.      My department already provided me with funding for an earlier conference, and they can’t offer me any funding this time. Can I still apply for a Conference Travel Grant?

4.      What level of funding does my department/advisor/other Northwestern program have to commit?

5.      I have been awarded a travel grant by the conference organizers to cover part of my expenses. Am I still required to obtain funding from my department (or other NU source) in order to apply for a Conference Travel Grant?

6.      When will I be notified?

7.      How will I receive the money?

8.  My department is in Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. How do I know if my program is Division I, II, or III?

9.  If I’m expecting to receive a Conference Travel Grant, do I have to purchase my plane ticket through my department? What if I need to buy my ticket before I am awarded the grant?

10.  I received a Conference Travel Grant in November. Now I have a conference coming up in March. Can I apply for another Conference Travel Grant?

11.  I’m registered for TGS 512 Continuing Registration. Am I eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?

12.  I received a Conference Travel Grant in October for $250, but the grant limit for students in my department is $500. Can I apply for the other half for a second conference?

13.  I was awarded a Conference Travel Grant, but was forced to change my plans. Can I use the money for another conference later in the year?

14.  My conference expenses will only be about $300. I’m wondering if I should apply now, or hold out for a more expensive conference later in the year?

15.  I’m a first year student, presenting at a conference in February. Am I eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?

16.  I’m a first year, but I’m presenting at a conference this summer. Can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant?

17.  I’m graduating in June; can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for July? / I’m graduating in December; can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for January?

18. I’m presenting at a conference August 28 – September 3. Should I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for the current academic year or for next year?

19.  Yesterday, I received an invitation to present at a conference, but it’s now only one month away. Is there ever any exception to the rolling deadline that requires application two months in advance?

20.  I have a conference starting September 1. I know the rolling deadline requires me to apply two months in advance , but the website states that next year’s Conference Travel Grant application won’t be available until mid-July. What should I do?

21. Are there any additional requirements for international conferences?

1. What if I don’t have a formal invitation to present?

Then you are not eligible for a TGS Conference Travel Grant. You must have a formal invitation to present to be eligible for a Conference Travel Grant.

2. I am planning to attend a conference, but I’m not presenting. Am I still eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?

No.

3. My department already provided me with funding for an earlier conference and they can’t offer me any funding this time. Can I still apply for a Conference Travel Grant?

You must have an additional institutional source of support. If your home department can’t help you, ask the conference organizers about travel scholarships, check with your advisor, or ask a different department that you have a relationship with.

4. What level of funding does my department/advisor/other Northwestern program have to commit?

We ask that your department/advisor/other Northwestern program contribute as much as he/she/they can.

5. I have been awarded a travel grant by the conference organizers to cover part of my expenses. Am I still required to obtain funding from my department (or other NU source) in order to apply for a Conference Travel Grant?

No.

6. When will I be notified?

You will be notified automatically by email once we have received electronic approval from your department and a TGS staff member has reviewed your application. This process can take as little as one business day, but may take longer. If you have not received an email within 3 weeks, please notify us at gradfund@northwestern.edu

7. How will I receive the money?

The awarded funds will be transferred to an account in your home department. When you return from traveling you will submit your receipts and fill out a University travel voucher form. Please talk to your department financial administrative assistant for further instructions and to receive a copy of the correct form. The money will then be directly deposited into your bank account.

8. My department is in Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences. How do I know if my program is Division I, II, or III?

The list of Weinberg programs by division can be found at: http://www.wcas.northwestern.edu/graduate/documents/WCASGraduateProgramsbyDivision_000.pdf

9. If I’m expecting to receive a Conference Travel Grant, do I have to purchase my plane ticket through my department? What if I need to buy my ticket before I am awarded the grant?

Please check with your home department. Some departments will ask that you arrange your own flight and submit for reimbursement after your travel. Some departments will have you use a University travel agent and charge the flight directly to the department.  

10. I received a Conference Travel Grant in November. Now I have a conference coming up in March. Can I apply for another Conference Travel Grant?

Yes.

11. I’m registered for TGS 512 Continuing Registration. Am I eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?
Yes, as long as you meet all eligibility requirements.

12. I received a Conference Travel Grant in October for $250, but the grant limit for students in my department is $500. Can I apply for the other half for a second conference?
Yes. If you did not use the full amount you are eligible for during the conference in November, then you may apply to use the rest of your funds in March.

13. I was awarded a Conference Travel Grant, but was forced to change my plans. Can I use the money for another conference later in the year?
No, the money you were awarded must be returned to TGS. But once you have notified us of the cancellation, your eligibility to apply for a grant later in the year is restored.

14. My conference expenses will only be about $300. I’m wondering if I should apply now, or hold out for a more expensive conference later in the year?
You may apply for multiple conference travel grants to receive the full amount allotted for your program (either $500 or $700).

15. I’m a first year student, presenting at a conference in February. Am I eligible for a Conference Travel Grant?
No.

16. I’m a first year, but I’m presenting at a conference this summer. Can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant?
Yes—students may apply for Travel Grant support for summer conferences, as long as they will have completed three quarters of full-time registration in The Graduate School by the time of the conference itself.

17. I’m graduating in June; can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for July? / I’m graduating in December; can I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for January?
No.

18. I’m presenting at a conference August 28-September 3. Should I apply for a Conference Travel Grant for the current academic year or for next year?
Because the conference begins in the current academic year, you should apply for the current academic year.

19. Yesterday, I received an invitation to present at a conference, but it’s now only one month away. Is there ever any exception to the rolling deadline that requires application two months in advance?
As long as the final application deadline for the academic year has not passed, you may apply less than two months in advance in this case.

20. I have a conference starting September 1. I know the rolling deadline requires me to apply two months in advance, but the website states that next year’s Conference Travel Grant application won’t be available until mid-July. What should I do?
Please check our website periodically and submit your application when the new application becomes available. In this specific case, you may apply less than two months in advance.

21. Are there any additional requirements for international conferences?

Yes, the University recently contracted with "International SOS" to provide travel assistance for international travel associated with University business. Please see the information on our website regarding this new program.