Travel Awards

Students interested in receiving a Professional Development Award should contact their Graduate Coordinator.

Professional Development Awards provide support for students to attend major professional meetings at which they present an original paper based on their research conducted at the University of Texas. The Graduate School allocates travel funds to each program at the beginning of each academic year. The graduate adviser and graduate coordinator can nominate students for these awards, which are approved and administered by the Graduate School.

Amounts can vary, but the recommended range is $100-1,000, with it suggested that students be limited to one award per academic year. Students must be registered full time during the semester the funds are to be used. (Registration for the prior spring semester will fulfill this requirement for the summer semester unless the student has graduated.)

Nominations can be submitted by the graduate adviser or coordinator using the online Graduate School Awards System. 

The graduate adviser or graduate coordinator calls for applications for a fall, spring or summer award period by the program deadline (if applicable). Programs should provide their instructions to the student.

The program may use this student application form for their internal process but it does not get submitted to the Graduate School.

The submission to the Graduate School should include a copy of the student’s abstract and evidence of acceptance for presentation. Departments may submit an application as soon as the abstract has been accepted for presentation. 

Award may be paid in advance of travel. If student doesn't attend the conference, then the Professional Development Award must be repaid.