ASP Conference Travel awards are available to students presenting the results of their research work completed while a student at Occidental. These awards provide funding for students to present their research findings at professional regional or national conferences.
ASP Conference Travel Grant Funding, Eligibility, Requirements
Grants are limited to a maximum of $700 per project and are awarded on a competitive basis. Funding is limited, so students are encouraged to combine the ASP funding with other departments or campus resources to help cover the full cost of conference participation. ASP Conference Travel Grants are available only for national conferences; international conferences are not eligible for funding.
Presentation Requirement: Students are encouraged to present their research individually to highlight their own contributions and hard work, even when their research is part of a larger group project. Each student must give an individual presentation; group or joint presentations will not be eligible for funding.
Grant Limit: Students may receive one ASP Conference Travel Grant per academic year. Applying for funding to attend NCUR counts as your one grant for the year. In general, students are also not eligible to receive funding to present at the same conference in consecutive years.
Applications
Applications must be submitted four weeks before the conference, and documentation of one's acceptance as a presenter must be included in the application submission.
Complete the Google Form application. At the end of the form, you will be asked to upload your application packet as a single, merged PDF file, saved as LastName, FirstName_ASPConference.pdf, in the following order:
- Abstract: A copy of your accepted abstract or paper.
- Verification: Include a confirmation of acceptance of your abstract/paper for presentation.
- Personal Statement: (Limited to two pages, written by the applicant.) The personal statement should outline your research, explain the reasons for attending this conference to support your educational objectives, and demonstrate how the activity is essential for your intellectual or professional development.
- Itemized Budget: (prepared by the applicant.) Use the to provide a detailed list of all project costs. The fillable PDF form is available for download. Note: Budgets should reflect the project's total cost, and funding expected from other sources should be listed.
- Mentors: Must complete the Mentor Support Form by the deadline.
If you plan to attend a conference during winter break, please know that the campus will be closed from December 15, 2026, to January 4, 2027. Applications must be submitted at least 4 weeks before the closure to allow ample time for review.
Note: The deadline to submit requests for the 2026–27 academic year is April 5, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. Conference Travel Grants are not available for conferences taking place during the summer.
Final Report
The conference travel report is due two weeks after your return date, as listed in your award letter. The report should include an overview of your presentation and your overall conference experience. If applicable, be sure to include copies of all boarding passes, as they are required to verify your travel.
For details regarding conferences such as the or the email urc@oxy.edu. Funding for these opportunities is available through the ASP Conference Travel Award.