Purpose
The GSA Conference Travel Grant is intended to help offset the costs of travel or registration fees at professional conferences at which a graduate student is presenting original research.
Please note that you do not receive the grant beforehand, it is only processed after you attend your conference and submit proof of attendance. Examples of proof of attendance are a picture of your conference badge, of you presenting that clearly shows your name, or a letter or email from the conference organizers confirming your attendance.
You can find additional funding through the Academic Senate.
Eligibility
This grant is open to graduate students and is a two part process (see Grant Application Materials for more info). Graduate students may only receive one travel grant award for the academic year (i.e., Fall 2025 - Summer 2026). All applicants must be accepted to present original research data and have expenses that are not covered by other funding sources. For summer conferences, you must be enrolled in the subsequent Fall quarter in order to receive the grant. This is a Graduate Division requirement.
Advancement to candidacy is not a requirement. Students serving as a commentator/discussant are not eligible for the travel grant. Students on leave of absence from UCSB and/or not enrolled in courses are not eligible for the travel grant.
Deadlines
Applications are accepted for review at the beginning of the quarter in which the student will attend the conference. Please refer to the application window dates below to confirm when you need to submit your travel grant.
Fall quarter (September 21-December 12) submit application by October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Winter quarter (January 5 - March 20) submit application by February 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Spring quarter (March 30-June 12) submit application by May 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Summer quarter (June 22-September 12) submit application by July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
APPLICATION WINDOWS
Fall quarter (September 21-December 12) submit application by October 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Winter quarter (January 5 - March 20) submit application by February 13, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Spring quarter (March 30-June 12) submit application by May 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Summer quarter (June 22-September 12) submit application by July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Grant Application Materials
To apply, please complete the GSA Travel Grant Application. You must also upload the following documents to the travel grant application.
- Application - Part 1
- Confirmation of your acceptance to present at a conference
- An abstract of the paper or project to be presented
- Application - Part 2 (To be sent once Part 1 is confirmed)
- Itemized receipts of conference registration fees (if available). All receipts must clearly show your first and last name.
- Itemized receipts for travel costs (flights, hotel, gas, etc.) must match the amount requested AND show a completed transaction.
- If your hotel room is booked for more than one person, you must show proof of payment for your stay if you are not the primary payer on the receipt.
- Gas reimbursements are based on mileage at $0.655 per mile. You must show your proof of transaction and attach a PDF of miles driven to and from the conference.
- Food will not be reimbursed.
- If your itemized receipts are in a currency other than USD, you must provide a conversion as a PDF.
- Proof of Attendance (e.g., conference badge, picture of presentation)
Due Date for Final Documentation
The GSA must receive all final documentation (receipts, proof of attendance, etc.) by the last day of the quarter for which the grant was requested. Any grants that do not receive all documentation by the end of the quarter will be revoked, and the corresponding funds will be rolled into the next quarter.
The GSA will reimburse you after you return from your conference with proof of your travel. Usually, GSA has allotted 45 grants per quarter.
Reimbursements will be processed using GradPoint via your BARC account. Funds should direct deposit to your bank account. Please make sure that your BARC account is set up for direct deposit!