Travel Grant Eligibility

You must...

• Be enrolled in a degree-seeking doctoral or MFA program when you apply and when you travel. 
• Present a paper/poster/creative work at a conference or meeting of national or international standing. 
• Be the first or sole author of the work. 
• Provide a PDF copy of your invitation to present or your acceptance notification. (If the conference acceptance notification isn’t received before the application deadline, attach a note in that field indicating it will be sent to Robert Sutherland rsutherl@mailbox.sc.edu when received.)

Applications accompanied by a departmental funding match are preferred. 

How often can I receive a travel grant?

Students may receive no more than one travel grant in any fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) and no more than two while here at USC.

Travel Grants Cannot Be Used For: 

• Field or Library Research 
• Working Conferences
• Courses
• Retreats
• Workshops
• Attendance at a Professional Meeting
• Travel Already Started or Completed
• Professional Memberships

 

Award Amounts

Domestic Travel: Up to $500
International Travel: Up to $800

You may apply for additional funding through:

• Your Department
• University Awards
• National Fellowships

 

Application Process

You must complete your application prior to traveling.

1. Submit the Conference Travel Grant Request Form. 

The link for the cycle one Travel Grant Request form will be active for submissions from December 1 - December 7, 2024.

2. Your advisor reviews your request.

Your academic advisor will receive a copy of the request via email. They will need to provide confirmation of your standing and progress to degree. You are responsible for following up with your advisor about your travel grant request.

3. The graduate director reviews your request.  

Once your advisor signs off on your materials, the graduate director will receive notification to approve your travel request. You are responsible for following up with the graduate director about your travel grant request.

4. The Graduate School makes a decision about your request. 

Once the graduate director approves your materials, the Graduate School begins its review. Only complete applications can be reviewed. The Graduate School reserves the right to require additional documentation to complete the review.

5. If approved, complete the Travel Authorization form.

Send your award notification email to your department’s program administrator or business manager. They will help you complete the Travel Authorization (TA) form.

Submitting the Travel Authorization Form

Your department should send your TA form with the award notification email attached to the Travel Office. (The Graduate School does not have to sign the TA form if the award notification email is attached.)

Total TA Amount

Your form should include a separate line for the grant awarded by the Graduate School plus all support provided by the student's department. 

Graduate School Account Information

Contact Robert Sutherland at rsutherl@mailbox.sc.edu. 

6. Submit a Travel Reimbursement Voucher (TRV)

With the help of your department's program administrator or business manager, submit a Travel Reimbursement Voucher to the USC Travel Office. 

When to Submit

Within 30 days of completing your travel. 

 

International Travel Guidelines

Students traveling out of the country are required to follow certain health and safety international travel guidelines.