Graduate Student Travel Funding

Eligible activities

The priority of GSC travel funding is to provide financial support to graduate students traveling to present their K-State graduate research or scholarly/creative work at professional conferences. Students who are traveling for other purposes related to their graduate program or who are attending a conference but not presenting their graduate work may apply for travel funding, but priority will be given to those presenting research or creative/scholarly work at a conference.

Enrollment requirement

To receive GSC travel funding, both at the time of application and at the time of your event, you must be enrolled in at least one graduate credit hour in a graduate degree program at Kansas State University and must be in good academic standing (have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA).

Summer enrollment exception: If you seek funding for an event occurring during the summer—i.e., the event begins after the last day of final exam week in the spring semester and before the first day of classes of the fall semester—you are not required to be enrolled during the summer term, so long as you are still active in your K-State graduate program.

Travel events that occur after graduation
You may not receive funds for events that begin after your final semester in a K-State graduate program.

Number of allocations and funding amount

Effective for travel events that begin July 1, 2026 or later:

Within a fiscal year (July 1-June 30), a graduate student may receive no more than one GSC funding allocation for a maximum of $750 for domestic travel (within the U.S.) OR a maximum of $1,000 for international travel (outside the U.S.).

Step 1 - Apply

Complete the online application (accessible below) at least three weeks before your event start date.

Information/documentation needed for application:

• Proof of presentation/activity (if available): If you plan to give a presentation or actively participate in the event in some other way, you must provide documentation that verifies your activity. Upload the documentation in the application if you have it. If you do not have this documentation yet, you may apply and indicate that you plan to give a presentation. You may be allocated a pending award until the required documentation is provided.
  
  
• Major professor endorsement form: The Major Professor Endorsement Form must be completed with your major professor's signature and uploaded in the online application. The form may be completed electronically with an electronic signature. The form also may be printed, signed, and scanned as a PDF to be uploaded in the application form. A form with the major professor's name typed in the signature line will NOT be accepted. Endorsement by your department head or graduate program director is also acceptable if unable to obtain a signature by your major professor.

Step 2 - Application review

• Applications are reviewed and allocations are made every 1-3 weeks. Funds are allocated based on points per the funding criteria (see "funding criteria and amounts" below).
  An effort is made to allocate funds to all eligible applicants. If funding is limited, priority is given to applicants who will present their graduate work at a national or international conference.

Step 3 - Notification to applicants

• All applicants who submit a fully completed application are notified via email of whether or not they have been allocated travel funding.
• If the travel funding recipient is not able to pay for his or her travel upfront, many departments are willing to cover the recipient's travel expenses up to the amount of GSC travel funding prior to the travel and the department will be reimbursed directly by the Graduate School after the travel. Prior to travel, please contact your department office for more information about this arrangement.

Step 4 - Travel occurs

• Consult with you graduate program about making travel arrangements.
• Guidance for international travel
  • If you will be traveling outside of the U.S., please make sure you are familiar with K-State’s International Travel and Activities Policy.
  • You MUST complete International Travel Registration with K-State’s Office of Risk and Compliance.
  • You might find it helpful to review a recording of an open forum that explains the policy and the international travel registration process.

Step 5 - Disbursement of travel funds

• If your department paid for some or all of your expenses, the Graduate School will work with your department on disbursement of travel funds. Prior to travel, please consult with your department about how they can assist with your travel arrangements and expenses.
• See additional information on the travel funding disbursement page.

If you are allocated GSC travel funding, the funds may be disbursed to you directly or to your department, depending on how travel expenses are paid. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the funding disbursement process as soon as you have received a travel grant.

Travel purpose

• Conference = 5 points
• Other (study abroad; travel for K-State course activities, such as site visits or meetings with industry professionals; travel to take special classes/training) = 2 points

NOTE: If traveling to conduct research/collect data, apply for the Graduate RSCAD Grant.

Location

• Outside of the U.S. = 13 points
• In the U.S. and outside of Kansas/region = 5 points
• In region (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma) = 2 points
• In Kansas = 1 point

Event involvement

• Presenting research, scholarly, or creative work = 10 points
  • Giving a talk/oral presentation, presenting a poster, giving a recital, presenting a work of art or design
• Participating on a case study team = 8 points
• Serving as a commentator, discussant, panelist, or workshop coordinator = 6 points
• Author of a presentation but not giving the presentation = 5 points
• Non-presenter = 5 points
  • Attending a conference but not presenting or actively participating in ways listed above, studying abroad, taking special classes, or attending a workshop

Authorship

• 1st/primary author = 6 points
• 2nd author = 5 points
• 3rd author or below = 4 points
• No authorship = 2 points

GSC and Graduate School involvement

GSC involvement is not a requirement for receiving a travel funding, but you will earn more points for engaging in GSC leadership or activities, which may increase your funding allocation. Credit for involvement is awarded for activities completed in the 12 months prior to your application submission.

1. GSC Leadership/Service = 1 point
   • GSC officer
   • GSC committee chair or member
   • Graduate student senator
   • GSC representative on a university committee
2. Giving a presentation at the following events GSC research forum or Three Minute Thesis = 1 point
   
   • Research and the State
   • K-State Graduate Research, Arts, and Discovery Forum
   • Three Minute Thesis Competition
3. Volunteering at GSC/Graduate School events = 1/2 point
   • Research and the state
   • K-State Graduate Research, Arts, and Discovery Forum
   • Three Minute Thesis Competition
   • GSC fundraiser
4. Attending GSC/Graduate School events = 1/2 point
   • Research and the state
   • K-State Graduate Research, Arts, and Discovery Forum
   • Three Minute Thesis Competition
   • Professional Development seminar

Note: Attendance points will not be granted for attending an event at which you are presenting and/or volunteering

Impact and research/scholarly work statements

Completing this section is optional. You will earn 1 point for each item if you provide a sufficient and relevant response.

1. Impact of event on your professional development = 1 point
   • In 50 words or less, tell us why it is important for you to attend this event in terms of how your attendance at this event will promote your professional development. That is, how will your participation in this event improve your academic standing, job prospects, etc.
2. Description of your work = 1 point
   • In 50 words or less, describe the research/work you will be presenting using language that can be understood by people who are not experts in your discipline.
   • If you are not presenting work at the event you are attending, describe the focus of the research, scholarship, or creative work that you do as part if your graduate program of study.

Award amounts

Award amounts are determined by points earned in the application based on criteria outlined above.

The GSC travel funding is competitive. Submission of an application for a GSC travel funding does not guarantee funds will be awarded. Graduate students are encouraged to seek funding from other sources and should explore these options well in advance of their travel event.

College travel funding

Many colleges have travel funding programs to support professional travel for graduate students. If your college is not listed, contact your college dean's office to ask whether they offer financial travel support for graduate students.

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Engineering
• College of Health and Human Sciences
• College of Veterinary Medicine

Department/program funding

Consult with your major professor, department head, or graduate program director to find out whether your department or program has funds available to support your travel.

Student Governing Association (SGA) travel funding

The Student Governing Association (SGA) offers travel grants for student organizations. If you are involved with a registered student organization, you may be eligible for this funding. The Student Allocations Funding Request form is available in OrgCentral.

Professional associations

Many professional associations offer travel funding to students attending their meetings/conferences. Research the website of the conference you plan to attend or contact conference organizers to ask whether the association offers travel funding for students. Additionally, explore grants and funding opportunities throughout the year. Many professional, private, and government organizations offer funding to support graduate student research/scholarship, including research-related travel.