Travel Awards

The GSA Travel Award to help our students attend conferences or professional development opportunities.
Winter application due date: Friday January 18, 2013 at NOON. See below for more information on Eligibility, Awards and Guidelines for Applying.

The GSA Travel Fund was established in 1993 as a result of a GSA fee increase that took effect Winter Quarter of 1993. The GSA has continued to grant awards on a semi-annual basis since that time. The awards are granted to students attending either professional meetings or any professional development meetings that deal with topics affecting the graduate students' future goals (e.g. leadership, community service). Presentation of original scholarly work at the meeting is not required, but does increase your chances for funding (see selection guidelines below).

Both the GSA and the Graduate Studies Travel Award are awarded twice per year, and in both cases the award cycles cover January-December and July-June. Graduate studies travel awards are typically due in March and October respectively, while GSA travel award applications are typically due in January and June. Other key difference between the awards are as follows: First, the Graduate Studies award applications are reviewed by your program chair and only a limited number of applications for awards are forwarded to Graduate Studies from each program. Second, a Graduate Studies Travel Award can only be received once in a career, whereas a GSA Travel Award may be received multiple times. Awards are weighed toward applicants that have not received a GSA Travel Award in the last 6-12 months. In addition, a GSA Travel Award cannot be awarded concurrently with a Graduate Studies Travel Award.

The GSA Travel Award Committee awards grants. The committee is comprised of graduate students and chaired by the GSA Treasurer. If you are interested in being on this committee, and learning what it takes to write a dynamite travel award application, please contact the GSA Treasurer.

Want to talk about the GSA awards? Share your comments on our Talk page!

GSA members at the time of the application deadline are eligible. You are automatically a GSA member if you are a regularly enrolled graduate student (e.g., not on filing fee, PELP), enrolled in the Graduate School of Management, or enrolled in the Teaching Credential program. If there are questions about your eligibility please contact the Office Coordinator at 752-6108 or gsa@ucdavis.edu.

Awards range from $50-$500 and are based on the relative ranking of applicants based on established selection guidelines (see below). The number of awards will be based on the number of applicants and the merits of their applications. A minimum of 12 awards will be given in each period.

Awards are distributed as reimbursements. Reimbursement is contingent upon submission of original receipts and a completed Travel Expense Voucher.

Instructions for the Winter GSA Travel Grant are now on its own SmartSite page. Applications are due by noon, Friday January 18, 2013 an 12 noon. Applications during this cycle must be completed using the SmartSite – email and paper submissions will not be accepted. You can access the SmartSite by searching for “GSA Winter Travel Grant 2013” Detailed instructions are here: detailed smartsite instructions 2012.pdf. Instructions and applications are available in the Resource Tab of the SmartSite.
Questions should be addressed to the GSA Treasurer, John A. Peterson, at gsatreasurer@ucdavis.edu.

Congratulations to January 2010 Travel Award Recipients:

2009-10 Winter Travel Award Recipients.pdf

Award recipients — you must turn in your receipts within 21 days of travel completion.

Note: If you did not receive a letter, please come by the GSA office and we can give you a copy.