The Graduate Program

Guidelines for Graduate Student Travel Funds

Departmental funds for travel by non-U.S. graduate students are always scarce. Thus it is necessary to introduce some guidelines for the disbursement of these funds.

1. The department will fund at most one visit per student per year, so it is incumbent on the student and the advisor to choose the most beneficial conference/workshop/etc.


2. The request for funding must be accompanied by a recommendation letter from the advisor addressing: the benefit to the student and the department; whether the advisor will accompany the student; expected sources of cost sharing; any other relevant factors from item 3 below. The request should also include an estimate of the expected expenses for registration, travel and lodging (not meals).


3. Factors that will influence the decision include whether:
   • the student will give a talk (especially: invited)
   • there is a source of cost sharing, including:
   • UGA Graduate School (the student must be giving a talk to be eligible)
   • conference/workshop funds
   • the advisor's grant
   • another faculty member's grant (sometimes these have surplus funds)
   • the visit will markedly enhance the student's stature and training in his/her area
   • the student is expecting to graduate this year
   • the visit could result in an imminent job offer
   • the advisor is accompanying, to assist the student with "networking"

    

last updated: April 27, 2011