The Dean’s Student Travel Fund program provides grants for undergraduates and graduate students to present original research at professional and academic conferences.

Eligibility & Award Stipulations

  • These awards are available to undergraduate and graduate students actively pursuing a major within the College of Letters & Science
  • The award supports students who present a paper or poster at conferences.Eligible expenses include airfare, lodging, mileage, and conference registration fees
  • Students may apply for one award up to $1000 to cover one or more conferences
  • Please note that the College does not provide funding for students who only plan to attend a conference without presenting. Additionally, these awards cannot be used for research trips or shadowing opportunities
  • Decisions regrading applications will not be made until a few weeks into each semester, so plan accordingly and have a backup plan if you are not approved for funding

Application

Students must submit the following packet to clsawards@montana.edu: 

  • A cover sheet
    • Full name, major, phone number, email address, number of credits completed, and cumulative GPA 
  • Overview of the research opportunity
    • Research topic, conference name, dates, and location 
  • Budget 
    • Estimated travel, lodging, and registration fees 
  • Essay on how this award will advance the applicant’s research and/or professional goals

Also required:

  • One recommendation letter from a faculty member speaking to the applicant's potential and their specific research opportunity 
    • Applicants: please reach out to your chosen faculty member as soon as possible to give them an adequate amount of time to writethe letter of recommendation
    • Faculty: Letters of recommendation are held to the same deadline as the student's application and can be sent directly to clsawards@montana.edu

Award Periods

Fall Application Period

This period covers opportunities occurring between July 1 and December 31. Fall application becomes available on the first day of each Fall semester. Any travel occurring between July 1 and notification of award will be considered for retroactive reimbursement.

Spring Application Period

This covers opportunities occurring between January 1 and June 30. Spring application becomes available on the first day of each Spring semester. Any travel occurring between January 1 and notification of award will be considered for retroactive reimbursement.

2024-2025 Academic Year Deadlines

Fall 2024: Travel between July 1 and December 31, 2024

  • Applications for Fall 2024 are closed

Spring 2025: Travel between January 1 and June 30, 2025

  • The College of Letters & Science will open and accept applications for Spring 2025 around the beginning of next year
  • More information to come

Acceptance

Students will work with their home department on spending their awards. Award recipients are encouraged to attend and participate in the College of Letters & Science Annual Awards Ceremony at the end of the academic year. 

Contact

Sheridan Peña
Academic Services Manager
College of Letters & Science
(406) 994-4288
sheridan.pena@montana.edu