Each year Undergraduate Research Programs provides support for undergraduates who are presenting their research at professional conferences in their field. The decision to fund students is based on the quality of student proposals, overall academic records, and recommendations from faculty mentors. Conference funding proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
Students may be awarded up to $500 to cover travel costs. Applications should be submitted via the online application form. Before applying, make you sure have all your documents together. The application cannot be saved and returned to later. Read application requirements below carefully. Students can only recieve the Conference Grant funding once during their time at Emory University.
Generally, Undergraduate Research Programs funds will match funds provided by departments or principal investigators. If this is not possible, the letter from the faculty mentor needs to include an explanation.
Funding information for students awarded a Conference Grant
Students who receive a Conference Grant will need to submit original receipts for their approved travel expenses. Student should submit receipts for reimbursement no later than two weeks after travel.
Undergraduate Research Programs can purchase airline tickets for students or can transfer funds to some mentor research accounts for expenses paid by the faculty mentor prior to travel. In order for us to use URP funds for your plane ticket, you MUST use an Emory travel agency. We cannot reimburse for tickets purchased outside of an Emory travel agency.
Make you sure have all your documents together before applying, the application cannot be saved and returned to later. A complete application will include:
1. A response to the following questions:
2. Conference Abstract
3. Email/letter of acceptance from conference
4. Detailed Budget. A detailed budget of estimated costs, and information on other funding the student has received or is applying to receive. Student should specify what expense she/he wants funding to cover. See instructions here. Please use the Budget Template.
5. Letter of Support from Faculty Mentor
Students must complete the Recommendation Request Form. This will allow your Faculty Mentor to submit your letter of support directly.
Your faculty mentor will receive an automated email with instructions to complete a letter of faculty support on your behalf. It is your responsibility to make sure your mentor receives this email and submits a letter.
The letter should come from a faculty mentor who has overseen the student's research project, and is familiar with both the research and the conference the student seeks to attend. The mentor should discuss the student's research, their academic performance generally, and the nature of the conference at which he/she will be presenting. Information on matching funding from the department or mentor is also requested.
There are several non-Emory funding opportunities to support your conference expenses. One example, CUR (Council on Undergraduate Research), supports student conference travel. Explore their website to see what funding may be available to you.
Other organizations, including Great Minds in STEM, may be able to help support some of the costs.
Work with your faculty advisor to determine which funding sources are available and appropriate for you.
Students who receive a Conference Grant will need to submit original receipts for their approved travel expenses. Student should submit receipts for reimbursement no later than two weeks after travel. Undergraduate Research Programs can purchase airline tickets for students or can transfer funds to mentor research accounts for expenses paid by the faculty mentor prior to travel.
To get reimbursed for your conference travel, please see the instructions in your award email.
Please note, URP cannot reimburse memberships. We can reimburse conference registration costs.