Graduate Student Travel Support

The College of Sciences sponsors graduate student travel funds to support research-related travel expenses. As of Fall 2023, any graduate student interested in seeking travel support from the COS should follow the following procedures:

Before approaching the COS for travel funding support, students should apply to other sources of graduate student travel support available in the institution and elsewhere as applicable. Eligible students may receive travel funds from a COS award to complement other sources of travel support up to a maximum of $1,200 from all the sources together to help defray the cost associated with research presentations outside of UTRGV. Funds are not guaranteed and will be distributed according to availability on a first-come, first-served basis. Requests should be submitted at least two months before the dates of travel.

Graduate students should initiate the process of applying for the COS student travel funds by completing the Travel Request Form, getting the signature and funding commitment from their mentor, receiving the travel authorization from the Dean of Students, and emailing the filled form and any other required supporting documents (see below) to their Department Chair/ School Director.

The COS will only consider request packages submitted and signed by the Department Chair/School Director, who will email all required documents to the College Administrator at dorian.garcia@utrgv.edu with the Subject Line: Student Travel Funds Request.

Eligibility Criteria:

Travel funds will be considered for:

• Research Paper or Project Presentation
• Poster Presentation
• Thesis presentation competitions outside of UTRGV, at the state or national level

1. COS Travel Request Form, filled and signed by the student, the mentor, and the chair/director
2. A letter of acceptance, a formal invitation, or a program agenda or schedule as evidence of acceptance.
3. A tentative budget with itemized costs.
4. Authorization for student travel from the Dean of Students. See https://www.utrgv.edu/studentlife/resources/student-travel/index.htm.
5. Documentation that travel support has been requested through the following
   • Available conference funds (see the conference website or contact organizers)
   • UTRGV Student Government Association: https://www.utrgv.edu/csi/student-government-association/funding/index.htm
   • UTRGV Graduate College Travel: https://www.utrgv.edu/graduate/for-new-and-current-students/travel-award/index.htm

Make sure to include the amount received on each case if applicable.

The application should be submitted as a single PDF file organized in the same order as listed above. The College of Sciences Finance Manager, College Administrator, and unit leaders will review the email request and supporting documents and make a recommendation to the COS Dean on the travel award. COS travel awards will be funded 60% from the COS Dean's Office and 40% from the Dept/School.

A student may not be awarded more than one COS travel award in two years. Students will be notified of the decision via their UTRGV email. If approved, travel award payments will be transferred to their respective department/school. Travel funds are disbursed to students as part of a reimbursement process. Please keep receipts for all costs incurred, such as rental vehicles, gas, airfare, lodging, registration fees, and meals.