The Wilkes Center Research and Conference Travel Award (RCTA) is designed to provide graduate and undergraduate students the opportunity to travel for the purposes of EITHER conducting research OR presenting their climate science and policy research accomplishments to the academic community.
The opportunity to attend a conference provides networking opportunities that may lead to future research and employment connections. This award is for a max of $500 to cover the allowable expenses listed below.
This is a one-time award, meaning students are only eligible to receive a RCTA once during their academic career. Funds are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Application Process:
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- The applicant will submit their application through the application portal. After submitting an application, the Wilkes Center will review and approve the application, as well as solicit any information needed from the home department’s travel coordinator.
- After the department coordinator has provided the requested information, the funds will be sent directly to the department chartfield and travel will be coordinated by the department.
Requirements
- Actively enrolled University of Utah Undergraduate, Master’s, Ph.D., and/or professional student.
- If traveling to attend a conference, you must show verification that your abstract has been accepted to present at the conference.
- If traveling for research purposes, you must provide 1) a copy of the abstract or project description, and 2) a letter (an email is fine) from your advisor to confirm the details of your research travel.
- Applications must be submitted to the Wilkes Center before the travel dates. Applications are not considered complete until the Wilkes Center has received all supporting documents and department approvals.
The Wilkes Center Research and Conference Travel Award application must include the following:
- A completed online application including the certification of eligibility to receive funding as a U.S. citizen or a citizen of another country who is lawfully present in the U.S.; certification is done on the application.
- If traveling to attend a conference, a copy of the abstract or project description submitted for the meeting; copy and paste to the application.
- If traveling for research purposes, you must provide 1) a copy of the abstract or project description, and 2) a letter (an email is fine) from your advisor to confirm the details of your research travel.
- Travel estimates for eligible expenses; done on the application.
- A 250-500 word statement about the value of the proposed travel for your professional development as well as to the mission of your department or research lab; type or copy and paste to the application.
- If traveling to attend a conference, include a copy of the acceptance letter or email showing you have been accepted to present at the conference or meeting needs to either be uploaded into the application portal or forwarded to kyla.welch@utah.edu. Any applications received that do not have an acceptance confirmation on file will not be processed until The Wilkes Center receives it, this could cause a delay in your application being processed.
- Contact information for the home department’s travel coordinator.
The RCTA funds will be processed in the form of reimbursement after the student has returned from their trip. Students should work with their department travel coordinator for reimbursement.
RCTA funding can reimburse:
- airfare/car mileage
- ground transportation fares
- lodging
- abstract fees
- conference registration fees
- Meals
- Per diem
- Poster fees
RCTA does not reimburse:
- society memberships/membership fees
- training programs
- mini-courses
- travel audit fees (expense report fee in Concur)
Forfeiture of Award:
Funds awarded may only be used to pay for expenses directly related to the student’s travel and/or conference registration. The Wilkes Center has the right to rescind the award if the student cancels, does not attend, or fails to meet RCTA qualifications. Refer to the award letter for the terms of the award.