GPSS has allocated $20,000 to support graduate students for the 2025–2026 academic year. The funding amounts are:
- Up to $300 for travel in the U.S.
- Up to $500 for international travel
The committee focuses on applicants who need financial help and on how attending the conference will positively impact the university community. Applications will be scored using the GPSS travel grants rubric. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis every two weeks.
For questions, contact Riley Talamantes at gpssvpfb@uw.edu and Anne Rizvi at gpssbs@uw.edu.
Eligibility
- Must be a UW graduate or professional student currently enrolled at UW-Seattle.
- Travel must be for an upcoming event. We do not fund travel for past events.
Application
The following items are required for an application to be considered complete:
Completed applications will be reviewed within 3 weeks of submission. The applicant is responsible for ensuring all components of the application are received by the GPSS Budget Director (gpssbs@uw.edu), including the faculty recommendation form.
If you are applying for international travel, you must register with UW Global Travel Security for non-curricular travel (Global Travelers Link). Proof of registration through UW Global is required for the application.
Application Process
- Begin the application at least three weeks before the conference date.
- Submit both the Student Form and the Faculty Recommendation Form.
- Allow up to three weeks for committee review.
- The committee meets every two weeks and will notify applicants of decisions.
- For approved applications, GPSS and HUB Accounting will initiate the transfer of funds to the department.
Grading
Members of the Travel Grants Committee will evaluate your application using the rubric attached below. At least three members of the committee will grade each application. The process is competitive, with an approval rate of about 40%, and we recommend reading the rubric before submitting your application.
FAQ
When should I apply for funding?
GPSS recommends applying ahead of time. It’s best to apply at least one month in advance. This helps us process and evaluate your application.
What can funding be used for?
Funding can be used to cover conference registration, transportation, lodging, or other related costs.
Can I apply for multiple travel grants?
Students can submit applications for multiple conferences. However, they can only be awarded one travel grant per academic year. Only one application per conference is permitted.
Can I apply for a conference I have already attended?
No. We do not fund past conference attendance. We only accept applications for future conference attendance.
I don’t know my school’s budget numbers. What should I do?
GPSS does not have access to your school’s budget information. You must reach out to your school’s financial support staff for this information. Please keep in mind this person will be the department contact for the funding transfer on your form.
You can ask a financial support staff this information:
- Worktag: Cost Center
- Worktag: Program
- Worktag: Activity
- Worktag: Project
I have been approved for funding. What’s next?
HUB Finance and Business Operations will initiate a funding transfer in Workday to the Worktags provided by you and your department in your application.
Award recipients should work with their academic department to spend the funds or seek reimbursement for related travel expenses.
Department finance staff or Shared Environments may contact hubhelp@uw.edu with technical or Workday questions about these funds. GPSS is not able to advise award recipients on how to apply these funds to their travel.
Alternative Funding
For the times we are unable to cover travel, there is a competitive process by the UW Graduate School which offers an equivalent amount of funding as GPSS: Graduate Student Conference Presentation Awards.