Career Development Travel Grant

The GPSA Career Development Travel Grant exists to support and promote the success of ASU graduate and professional students’ development by increasing ASU’s reputation as a Research Extensive Institution, promoting the ASU graduate and professional student community at large, and fostering opportunities for professional growth. Eligible activities supported by this grant include General Career Development, Internships, and Interviews. Specific information relating to each sub-category is outlined below. 

 

General Career Development Travel Grant Overview

The funds awarded from this program are used to support individual student travel to and from professional development activities, such as certifications, workshops, trainings, exhibitions, performances, competitions and other activities directly related to the student’s graduate program of study or professional development. Examples of eligible events for the CD Travel Grant include:

  • Registration to complete required certification and/or professional exams;
  • Preparation courses for professional exams (not included in ASU tuition);
  • Attending a workshop or training;
  • Giving a recital or performance not within the context of an academic conference;
  • Delivering an invited address that is not better described as an academic conference presentation;
  • Participating in a competition related to your program of study;
  • Traveling to/from a study abroad opportunity (NOT tuition and fees), and/or,
  • Attending any other event or activity related to your program of study.
  • Traveling to or from research and research related activities.

Travel to study abroad opportunities, including Global Consulting Lab (GCL) and the Thunderbird Emerging Markets (TEM) Lab, are eligible for this grant ONLY.

There are two options for CD Travel Funding: local and out-of-state. Applicants will need to select one of these options on the application.

Reimbursable Expenses

In most cases, the Travel Grant will cover: registration fees to complete required certification and/or professional exams; fees for preparation courses for professional exams; airfare, fuel/mileage if driving your own vehicle, ground transportation (taxi, shuttle services, trains, public transportation), hotels/lodging, and meals.

The cost of meals can be calculated using the daily rate determined by ASU (per diem) for your destination. To determine this rate, visit Travel Resources

Mileage is reimbursed at 62.5 cents per mile and is calculated as the distance from your campus to your destination and back.

Applicants should begin tracking their mileage and keeping their parking receipts on the first day of their event.

The Travel Grant will NOT cover the cost of rental cars, phone calls, internet access charges, poster printing, or any expense prohibited by university policy. Expenses paid in cash are not reimbursable. Only pay with credit card or check.

The CD Grant will cover the costs associated with traveling to/from a study abroad opportunity. HOWEVER, we are unable to cover the tuition and fees of such program.

In February 2019 the ASU Study Abroad office instituted a $3 a day charge for insurance on all student travel to locations outside the United States. Students will pay out of pocket and will be reimbursed from the GPSA grant when they submit an expense report. This fee counts towards the $1650 total. When registering your trip please select ‘Self Pay’ option when prompted.

One-Way Fares: If you decide to purchase two one-way airfares instead of a round-trip fare, you will need to print a quote of a round-trip fare at the time your one-way fares were booked, in order to demonstrate to the ASU Travel Department that the round-trip fare is in fact more expensive.

GPSA will not give travel advances for any reason.

 

As graduate students prepare to graduate, they also face having to interview as part of the job search or to secure internships as part of their programs’ final requirement. Through this new initiative, students will be able to procure funds for travel to interviews for both post-graduate positions and graduate internships. Students may request funding for either one individual interview or for multiple interviews during the 2022-2023 academic year. Recipients of the Interview Travel Grant must use the award during the 2022-2023 academic year. These funds will reimburse travel that was approved with a Travel Authorization Form during the 2022-2023 academic year. All reimbursements must be submitted by April 28, 2023 (last day of the academic calendar).

Eligibility Requirements

  1. This travel grant will fund graduate students traveling to an established interview for either post-graduate positions (i.e. post-docs, academic positions, industry, etc.), or any professional interview.
  2. Students do not have to have a final date of interview, but they need to describe the position in detail in their application, and make evident pre-planning and coordination.
  3. This grant will NOT fund the travel cost incurred in completing an in-state internship (e.g. mileage, parking, etc) or moving costs for relocation after graduating from ASU. We welcome applications from all graduate students who will be interviewing for post- graduate jobs or internships during the 2022-2023 academic school year.
  4. Students MUST be enrolled for at least ONE credit hour in the semester in which they are applying for interview travel grant.

Reimbursable Expenses

  • In most cases, the Travel Grant will cover costs of airfare, fuel/mileage if driving your own vehicle, ground transportation (taxi, shuttle services, trains, public transportation), hotels/lodging, and meals.
  • The cost of your meals can be calculated using the daily rate determined by ASU (per diem) for your destination. To determine this rate, visit Travel Resources
  • The Travel Grant will NOT cover the cost of rental cars, phone calls, internet access charges, or any expense prohibited by university policy.
  • Expenses paid in cash are not reimbursable. Only pay with credit card or check.

GPSA will not give travel advances for any reason. 

The GPSA Internship Travel Grant exists to support and promote the success of ASU graduate and professional student research and professional development by promoting the ASU graduate and professional student community at large and fostering opportunities for professional growth.

Internship Travel Grant Overview and Eligibility Requirements

  • The funds awarded under this program are used to support graduate and professional student travel to and from internships and similar events (e.g. practicum, field placement, etc.)
  • The internship can either be paid or unpaid and need not be for credit as long as it is relevant to the student’s program of study.
  • Applicants must upload an advertisement for their internship. If the applicant is awarded a grant, they must submit a signed offer letter of internship on company/organization letterhead, with the internship supervisor’s contact information, the start and end dates of the internship, and (for local internships only) the number of days per week the applicant will be present at the internship site to the Required Supplementary Documents section of the grant application on ZoomGrants.
  • There are two options for Internship Travel Funding: Local (driving mileage and parking fee reimbursement only) and out-of-state (round-trip airfare only). Applicants will need to select one of these options on the application. Be sure to pay attention to the deadlines below.

Out-of-State Internships (Round-trip Airfare Only)

Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM AZ time on the 1st day of the month, TWO months prior to the month of departure. Example: If your internship begins November 22, the online application is due no later than September 1st at 11:59 PM AZ time.

  • You may apply no earlier than three funding cycles prior to your month of travel. Example, if traveling on November 22, you may choose to apply during the August funding cycle (due August 1). In this instance, you can request feedback, edit, and re-submit your application if not initially selected, but you MUST create a new application in ZoomGrants.
  • With the exception of summer internships, all out-of-state internships must begin while the applicant is enrolled in at least one graduate credit at ASU. For summer internships, the applicant must be enrolled for the following Fall semester.
  • In order to ensure the integrity and fairness of the application process, no exceptions will be made to program guidelines or deadlines.

Reimbursable Expenses

An applicant to the Internship Travel Reimbursement Program can be reimbursed for eligible travel expenses which may include:

  • Parking fees (non-campus related)
  • Mileage reimbursement. Mileage is reimbursed at 62.5 cents per mile and is calculated as the distance from your campus to your destination and back.
  • Local transportation (bus, train, or taxi fares).
  • Cost of food or rental cars will NOT be reimbursed.
  • Out-of-state airfare
  • Covers ONLY the cost of round-trip airfare.
  • The Internship Travel Grant does NOT cover travel to study abroad opportunities, Global Consulting Lab (GCL), or Thunderbird Emerging Markets (TEM) Lab. Travel Grant applications for these opportunities will be considered ONLY as Career Development Grants.

GPSA will not give travel advances for any reason. 

General Program Overview & Eligibility Requirements

  • The funds awarded from this program are used to support student travel to and from interviews, internships and other professional development activities, such as certifications, workshops, trainings, exhibitions, performances, competitions and other activities directly related to the student’s graduate program of study or professional development. Only that are directly related to students’ graduate programs of study or professional development.
  • Students may receive up to $950 per award period for a maximum of $1,650 per fiscal year.
  • Students are eligible to apply for several grants up to a maximum of $1,650 in the Career Development grant funding per fiscal year (July 1 through June 30).
  • This program runs on a monthly cycle.
  • You must be a current ASU graduate student (degree or non-degree seeking) enrolled in at least one graduate level credit at the time of application and time of travel (summer enrollment not required) to apply. Both Online students and Campus Immersion students are eligible for GPSA Travel Grant funding.

Blind Review Process

You MUST remove your name from any verbiage and/or documentation in your application (e.g. offer letters). Failure to do so negates the blind review process and will result in disqualification of the application.

Deadlines

Applications are peer-reviewed after the 1st every month. Each month constitutes a travel funding cycle.

All deadlines are the FIRST of the month, by 11:59 PM AZ time.

  • Spring semester: January 1, February 1, March 1, April 1
  • Summer semester: May 1, June 1, July 1
  • Fall semester: August 1, September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1

Late applications will not be considered. Students will be notified of their award status no later than the 30th of the month. If you do not receive notification of your award within the time-frame specified, it is your obligation to inquire as to the status of your application.

If your conference requires travel, applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM AZ time on the 1st day of the month, a minimum of TWO months prior to the month of departure.

Local (Mileage, Local Transportation, Parking Fees, and/or Registration Reimbursement Only)

  • Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM AZ time on the 1st day of the month, TWO months prior to the event or anticipated expense.
    • Example: If your workshop/interview/internship begins November 22, your travel grant application is due no later than September 1st at 11:59 PM AZ time.

Virtual Experiences (Registration Reimbursement Only)

  • Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM AZ time on the 1st day of the month, ONE month prior to the event or anticipated expense.
    • Example: If your workshop/interview/internship begins November 22, your travel grant application is due no later than October 1st at 11:59 PM AZ time.

Out-of-State Experiences (Airfare, Registration, Lodging, and/or Per Diem)

  • Because air travel must be approved by the GPSA business office prior to the travel, applications for out-of-state CD travel grants must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM AZ time on the 1st day of the month, TWO months prior to the month of departure.
    • Example: If your workshop/interview/internship begins November 22, your travel grant application is due no later than September 1st at 11:59 PM AZ time.

Career Development Grant deadline chart

  • We encourage applicants to not wait until the evening of the 1st to submit their application. ZoomGrants could overload at this time, which could delay the time of submission past the deadline (11:59 PM). GPSA is not responsible for such delays, and applications submitted after the deadline are not eligible for funding.
  • In order to ensure the integrity and fairness of the application process, no exceptions will be made to program guidelines or deadlines.

How to Improve Your Application

  • Within the application, provide a well-composed and compelling argument for the significance of your travel and how it relates to success in your graduate program of study. All descriptions should be understandable to an interdisciplinary audience of graduate students.
  • Demonstrate outstanding current or past service to GPSA, the university, and your field.
  • Submit a complete and realistic budget including cost-saving measures.
  • Ensure that no information is missing from your application.
  • In addition, funding priority may be given to applicants who have not been awarded funds in the past.
  • Make sure to describe your ROLE in the event (e.g. your research, poster, panel) not just the EVENT.
  • Please note that this is a highly selective grant competition. Correctly completing an application does not ensure funding. Each month, many excellent applications are not selected for the grant because of the large number of requests submitted and the limited availability of funds. We encourage you to submit your application at least three months prior to your travel date. Some months are less competitive than others.
  • If you are not selected for a Career Development Grant, you may request feedback on your application and reapply if the final deadline has not passed for your trip. Remember, applications are due by the 1st of the month TWO months prior to the month of departure.

Award Notifications

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than the 30th of the month of the deadline. If an applicant does not receive an email notification, it is the applicant’s responsibility to inquire of his or her application status. Partial awards may be given.

  • Notification emails are sent to applicants approximately three to four weeks after each cycle deadline.
  • Please add to your address book the email notices@zoomgrants.com as notifications are sent directly from the ZoomGrants system.

Disclaimers

  • GPSA and its administrators are not responsible for technological failure. Technical support can be contacted by visiting the application website.
  • GPSA and its administrators are not responsible for any lost, destroyed, or otherwise delayed applications or for any resulting loss of funds by their own negligence.
  • No awards are guaranteed, and the GPSA Vice President of Internal Affairs and Vice President of Professional Development may rescind any travel grant for any reason at any time without prior notification.
  • Program guidelines are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.

Integrity Disclaimer

Please note that all applicants for any GPSA program must submit their own unique, individual applications to all GPSA funded programs. Students are not permitted to take any portion of content from prior student awardees or online sources (i.e., conference websites) for any reason whatsoever. Any student caught using the work (in any portion) from another student or online source, or copying their own material from a prior application, will be considered in violation of GPSA’s policy. Such action will prohibit the student in question from being eligible for the current application in consideration, and may inhibit eligibility for future GPSA funding applications. In summary, each application must be the applicant’s own original work.

Given that we are a student entity within Arizona State University, GPSA mandates that all students act within the university’s academic integrity policy found at https://provost.asu.edu/academic-integrity/policy.

Award Notifications

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application no later than the 30th of the month of the deadline. If an applicant does not receive an email notification, it is the applicant’s responsibility to inquire of his or her application status. Partial awards may be given

  • Notification emails are sent to applicants approximately three to four weeks after each cycle deadline.
  • Please add to your address book the email notices@zoomgrants.com as notifications are sent directly from the ZoomGrants system.

Disclaimers

  • GPSA and its administrators are not responsible for technological failure. Technical support can be contacted by visiting the application website.
  • GPSA and its administrators are not responsible for any lost, destroyed, or otherwise delayed applications or for any resulting loss of funds by their own negligence.
  • No awards are guaranteed, and the GPSA Vice President of Internal Affairs and Vice President of Professional Development may rescind any travel grant for any reason at any time without prior notification.
  • Program guidelines are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.

Integrity Disclaimer

Please note that all applicants for any GPSA program must submit their own unique, individual applications to all GPSA funded programs. Students are not permitted to take any portion of content from prior student awardees for any reason whatsoever. Any student caught using the work (in any portion) from another student or copying their own material from a prior application will be considered in violation of GPSA’s policy. Such action will prohibit the student in question from being eligible for the current application in consideration, and may inhibit eligibility for future GPSA funding applications. In summary, each application must be your own original work.
Given that we are a student entity within Arizona State University, GPSA mandates that all students act within the university’s academic integrity policy found HERE.

Questions?

Please contact the GPSA Director of Travel, Nicholet Deschine at gpsa.travel@gmail.com. Office hours are by appointment and can be secured via email at the address above.

Office hours for Spring semester will be held weekly on a TBD date and time.

If you are having issues with ZoomGrants email questions@zoomgrants.com.

Apply now