The Graduate School

The Graduate Academic Conference Fund (G-ACF) is available to support graduate students who have been invited to present or perform at a conference or professional meeting. To qualify for G-ACF funding, a graduate student must be identified as the primary presenter (first person named) on the proof of acceptance. Graduate students may apply for travel grants up to $600 for conference presenters (up to $800 for international travel). The purpose of these grants is to encourage student presentations at academic conferences by offsetting the cost of travel and attendance. Graduate students may receive funding through the Graduate Academic Conference Fund once during their graduate academic career at GVSU.

The G-ACF grant funds are awarded four times per year, with submissions being accepted at the dates below for the associated quarters in which the conference occurs. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis during each quarter until the funds for that quarter are exhausted. Each application is reviewed by The Graduate School personnel. 

Allow up to 10 business days for grant application review. Incomplete applications will be denied. 

Funding eligibility is open to all graduate students who

• Are the primary presenter  (listed first in proof of acceptance) of research* at a professional conference, or whose creative work* is accepted for an exhibition or performance at a recognized event.
  • Should multiple students submit for the same presentation only the student named first in the proof of acceptance will be considered for funding.
  • * "Research" and "creative work" refer to that which was done as part of the student's graduate program
• Have the written support from a faculty member who can attest to the quality of the student’s work or the academic benefit of attending the conference/meeting
• Are in good academic standing with the University
• Are current graduate students, or recent graduates (within two semesters) whose research was accepted for presentation prior to graduation.
• Students may be awarded only one conference grant during their graduate academic career at GVSU. 
• Students must apply for funding available for the period in which the conference occurs 

For reimbursement after the conference the student must do the following: 

• Please review the Travel and Expense page on the Business and Finance website. 
• All travel reimbursement requests are handled via the Workday system through the Graduate School. Please email requests for reimbursement to [email protected]  In the email, please include your name, G-number, address to send the check, a summary of your expenses and total amount to be reimbursed. Attach scanned, LEGIBLE PDF copies of all receipts. If you have an email confirmation/receipt, please forward a PDF copy of the entire email. Do not take screenshots of just the payment sections of the email as the information needs to be validated. 
• Meals are not a reimbursable expense unless included in the conference registration price and are part of the conference. 

Students who may have a hardship in waiting for a reimbursement may contact us prior to travel at [email protected] with an explanation of your circumstances.

TRIP CANCELLATION

If a student is unable to attend the conference, the student must inform the Graduate School at least five business days before the date of planned departure.  The student may forfeit any nonrefundable deposit and will be ineligible for reimbursement of any expenses already incurred.