The Student Senate, the Provost's Office, and the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence have established a fund to support student travel to academic conferences.  Academic Conference Fund (ACF) is available to all students, including non-traditional and graduate students, who may be looking for one time funding to present at an academic conference that is related to their major, minor, and/or professional goals regardless of their affiliation with student organizations.

Undergraduate and graduate students are able to apply for travel grants that range up to $500 for conference presenters.  The purpose of these grants is to encourage student presentations at academic conferences by offsetting the cost of attendance.

The Academic Conference Fund Grants (ACF) are divided into 4 allotments which are distributed equally over the fiscal year (July-September, October-December, January-March, April-June). Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each period (provided proposals meet established guidelines) until funds are exhausted for the period.  Although grants are non-competitive, each application will be reviewed by the ACF Advisory Committee.

Students who are making oral presentations, poster presentations, exhibiting their work, or performing may apply for a grant up to $500.   Students are eligible for funding only once per fiscal year. Questions? See our ACF FAQs and the Step-By-Step Instructions.

2009-2010 Application

The student applicant needs to complete the application form (typed), obtain a letter of recommendation, provide proof of acceptance to present at the conference, and attach a copy of their abstract and resume.

Applications are due to the Office of Integrative Learning (181 LOH), no later than 30 days before the intended travel. 

Awards
Awards of up to $500.00 will be given to those invited to present at a conference/meeting.

Eligibility
Funding eligibility is open to all students who meet the following:

• Are a halftime student of Grand Valley State University (6 credits for undergraduates and 3 credits for graduate students)
• Have the written support from a faculty member who can attest to the quality for the student’s work or the academic benefit of attending the conference/meeting
• Are in good financial and judiciary standing with the University
• Are in good academic standing with the university
• Have had their research accepted for a poster or presentation at a professional conference, or whose creative work is accepted for an exhibition or performance at a state, regional, or national competitive, juried event.

Students may be awarded one conference grant per fiscal year.

Grant Requirements
To ensure each grant follows the purpose stated in this proposal, funded students will be required to submit the typed ACF Conference Report and Reflection to the Office Integrative Learning within 10 business days upon their return, in addition to reconciling the monies from the grant. There will be no reimbursement to the student until their submitted Report and Reflection has been approved as meeting the requirements. Students who chose the reimbursement option must fill out a Travel & Expense form. Students who chose the Stored Value Debit Card option must fill out a reconciliation form and print a statement from the National City website. Students who do not complete the required form will be required to reimburse the total cost of the grant.  ALL REPORTS AND FORMS MUST BE TYPED.

Grant Reimbursement Process
Please follow the instructions listed on the Step-by-Step Instructions page beginning with number 4. After the Conference.

Review process
Although this is a non-competitive grant, grants will be reviewed by the ACF Review Committee made up of a member of the Undergraduate Research Council, a member of the Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence Advisory Board, a member of the Student Senate Educational Affairs Committee, a member of Student Senate Finance Committee, the Director of Integrative Learning (non-voting member), and will be chaired by the Director of Center for Scholarly and Creative Excellence. The Committee will meet weekly to review the grants.