Graduate Student Travel Fund

2025-2026 Travel Dates & Applications

    Cycle I Travel Dates: July 1 - Oct 14
Application Opens 8/20/2025
    
Cycle II Travel Dates: Oct 15 - Dec 31
Application Opens 10/1/2025
 
Cycle III Travel Dates: Jan 1 - March 31
Application Opens 12/15/2025
 
Cycle IV Travel Dates: April 1 - June 30
Application Opens 3/16/2026

Eligibility

Any KU graduate student who meets all of the following criteria is eligible to apply:

1. Is in good academic standing.
2. Enrolled at least half-time in a Lawrence/Edwards-based degree plan at time of application.*
3. Travel dates fall within cycle limits:
   1. Cycle I Travel Dates: July 1 - Oct 14
      Application Opens 8/20/2025
   2. Cycle II Travel Dates: Oct 15 - Dec 31
      Application Opens 10/1/2025
   3. Cycle III Travel Dates: Jan 1 - March 31
      Application Opens 12/15/2025
   4. Cycle IV Travel Dates: April 1 - June 30
      Application Opens 3/16/2026
4. Has been accepted to present at a conference/professional meeting, or to participate in a professional development conference, workshop, or other opportunity related to their field of study or research project.
5. Has not received funding through the Graduate Student Travel Fund in the current academic year.
6. Does not currently hold a Self Graduate Fellowship or meets the eligibility criteria for Self Graduate Fellows.**

*Graduate students admitted or enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Education and Human Sciencesmust apply for travel funding directly through their school via the Travel Support Application Form.

**Self Graduate Fellows are not eligible to apply for the Graduate Student Travel Fund unless they meet the following criteria: (1) Self Graduate Fellowship Professional Development Award funds have been fully utilized; (2) Self Graduate Fellowship Professional Development Award funds are ineligible for the travel experience.  If Self Graduate Fellows consider themselves eligible for the Graduate Student Travel Fund, they must email SGF@ku.edu to confirm.  An email from Fellowship staff confirming eligibility must be uploaded with the application for this fund.  

Application Process

The Office of Graduate Studies will send a call for applications via email to all graduate students in the Lawrence/Edwards campus on the day that the application portal opens. Students are strongly encouraged to apply early, as funding is limited and will be available until depleted.

Once the application period begins, the application form may be accessed through the button located at the bottom of this page.

Applicants should be prepared to provide/upload the following:

1. Conference/professional meeting/professional development opportunity information
   • Name
   • Dates
   • Location
   • Website link
2. Presentation abstract or professional development justification
3. Evidence of acceptance to present at conference/professional meeting or participate in professional development opportunity (email/letter confirmation must be submitted as a PDF)
4. Completed statement of support
        Statement of support form
   • The form requires applicants to describe the intended use of the funds.
   • The form must be signed by the applicant's graduate advisor/supervisor or DGS.
   • This document must be uploaded as a PDF in the application form.
5. Budget and Justification
   • Travel budget including total estimated costs for the proposed travel (e.g., airfare or mileage; lodging; conference fees or registration; additional required expenses).
   • Amount requested from this fund.
6. Evidence of search and/or application of additional funding outside of KU
   • This attempt to secure additional funding can be from the conference, professional meeting, or  professional development event the applicant wants to attend, or from another external source (e.g., professional organization, Pivot database).
   • The applicant is not required to be awarded additional funding, but they are required to make a meaningful attempt to secure additional funding.
   • Applicants must submit a PDF of the email(s), website search, award letter or other proof that additional funding has been secured or proof that the student has inquired about a funding opportunity outside of KU.  
7. Self Graduate Fellows applying to this fund must also be prepared to upload an email from Fellowship staff confirming eligibility.
8. Travel dates
   • Must include departing and arriving date.
   • Dates of travel must fall within set travel cycles as listed above and:
     • Departure date must occur after July 1, 2025
     • Arrival date must occur on or before June 30, 2026

Applicants will receive a system confirmation that their application was successfully submitted upon completion of the application.

Reminder: students admitted and enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Education and Human Sciences must apply via this link.