The Dean's Office administers the Faculty-Sponsored Student Research Travel Fund for the purpose of supporting students presenting at research conferences and is advised by the Research Committee in the awarding of grants.
Please Note: Funding has historically been limited to students that are first author or second author to a faculty member on a research presentation. If your request does not fit that criteria, please also seek support elsewhere (other possible sources of funding: your academic department, the Dean of Students Office, the Oldenborg Center and other offices/programs on campus).
Currently, Student Research Travel support is limited to $800 per student per academic year. This policy is in revision but funds are limited.
A faculty member will need to apply on behalf of the student presenting at the conference, and students intending to seek travel funding should seek out the faculty member who will apply. This may be the faculty author on the publication, advisor of the student's research, or other advisor. Faculty can apply for student funding using the Faculty Travel Grant. Questions on the application or this process can be directed to the Grants Administrator.
The following guidelines apply:
- Limitations: Grants funds are limited, so it is advantageous to submit applications as early in the academic year as possible. If choices must be made because of limited funds, preference is given to those who did not receive a travel grant the previous academic year.
- Air travel: Because of great variability of fares, students are reminded that careful purchasing can actually save enough for an additional trip for themselves or another student. To ensure use of lowest fares, the Dean's Office will monitor quoted fares, using the departure and return dates given by the applicant, and may reduce the amount of an award if a lower fare is available.
- Other primary modes of transportation: You may also drive, take a train, boat or bus to travel to conferences. However, the amount claimed may not exceed the cost of flying.
- Lodgings, per diem and other support: The College will also provide funding to help defray lodgings, meal and ground travel expenses. (Note: Students officially participating in local meetings within 50 miles of campus can apply for reimbursement of registration fees only; travel and housing and food expenses are not eligible for reimbursement.)
- Registration: While there is no official limit on registration fees, it is requested that students register early and refrain from incurring late registration penalties. For particularly expensive conferences, students may not receive the full amount of registration fees and may be asked to look for other sources of funding.
- Meals/per diem: Meals and incidentals can be reimbursed with receipts.
- International per diem rates: Students traveling internationally in a group of three or larger can use Per Diem for meals and incidentals, instead of receipts. To find the applicable daily rate for your travel destination, go to the U.S. State Department website. Print/Download a copy of the web page to submit with your Travel Expense Report
- Avoiding out-of-pocket expenses: Airfare, lodgings, registration and other expenses may be paid on a Pomona College purchasing card or through approved College vendors without incurring out-of-pocket expenses by the traveler. Please check with your department's Academic Coordinator for assistance to avoid out of pocket expenses.
- Reimbursement: Reimbursement for out of pocket expenses will be processed only after travel has been completed. Please submit a completed Travel Expense Report form with all applicable documentation and original receipts to your department's Academic Coordinator for review and submittal for reimbursement within 30 days of your return.