Source of Funding

Every biennium, the UW Graduate School’s Fund for Excellence and Innovation (GSFEI) allots a certain amount of funding for Graduate Student Travel. Typically, SAFS is able to contribute some additional “matching” funds. The maximum award, including SAFS matching, is $600 for domestic travel or $1,000 for international travel, per student, every other year (i.e., from July 1 to June 30). Students may only receive one award every other year from the programs. Eligibility, usage, and other provisions are outlined below.

Uses of Funding

This money is limited to travel costs and registration fees for professional conferences where the student is presenting (poster and/or oral). Appropriate uses of SAFS money include direct transportation costs (airfare, train/bus fare, mileage reimbursement, and parking) and conference registration fees. The GSFEI portion of funding is limited to airfare, but SAFS funds can be used to supplement GSFEI funds up to the maximum allowable amount. Non-approved uses for SAFS and GSFEI funds are lodging, food, and other per diem expenses. The student should follow the application procedure below. The Graduate Advisor will coordinate requests for GSFEI and SAFS funds, as appropriate.

Application Process

All Travel Award applications, including those from undergraduates, should be submitted to the Graduate Advisor's mailbox in FSH 115 or FSH 116. Applications are available via this link:

• Travel Award Applications

Students will be notified of decisions via email within 1–2 weeks after graduate school deadlines.

• Aug. 15 for travel between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31
• Sept. 1 for travel between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30
• Oct. 1 for travel between Nov. 1 and Dec. 30
• Nov. 1 for travel between Dec. 1 and Jan. 30
• Dec. 1 for travel between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28/29
• Jan. 1 for travel between Feb. 1 and March 31
• Feb. 1 for travel between March 1 and April 30
• March 1 for travel between April 1 and May 31
• April 1 for travel between May 1 and June 30
• May 1 for travel between June 1 and June 30

Criteria for Funding

Currently enrolled, matriculated (i.e., degree-seeking) SAFS graduate and undergraduate students, and certain non-SAFS graduate students with a major professor/advisor from SAFS, are eligible to apply for travel support under this program if they are presenting (oral and/or poster) at an appropriate conference. Approval is contingent upon: availability of funds; satisfactory academic progress; previously received funding amounts; and, whether the student has complied with the travel award rules in the past.

Whether funded by GSFEI and/or SAFS monies, students are limited to a maximum of $600 (for domestic travel) or $1,000 (for international travel) – or one award every other year, per student from this program, regardless of whether the full amount was used. The fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

• Matriculated SAFS graduate students will be considered for a combination of GSFEI and SAFS funds, up to the allowable maximum.
• Matriculated undergraduates majoring in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences will be considered for SAFS funding, up to the allowable maximum.
• Matriculated non-SAFS graduate students whose major professor holds a primary faculty appointment in SAFS will be considered for SAFS travel funding up the allowable maximum, less any GSFEI funds awarded through their home departments. For example, there are some QERM students with primary advisors and research in SAFS; they are eligible to apply for travel awards. Non-SAFS graduate students should apply for GSFEI travel funds directly through their home departments and then apply for additional SAFS travel award funding, up to the maximum amount.

All travel awards will be made on a funds-available basis and dependent upon applicant eligibility under the provisions of this program.

Receiving Funds

Students with approved travel awards should coordinate their travel directly with Robin Weigel in FSH 116. Please see the Travel section at http://fish.washington.edu/resources/forms.html for relevant forms, including the Pre-travel Worksheet. Robin will handle the purchase or reimbursement of all approved expenses. If the event has already passed, receipts should be submitted to Robin. Please consult with her about the best way to proceed. Students must provide a copy of their invitation to present at the conference—and/or a program (including abstract) documenting their presentation at the conference—to Robin.

Unused funds cannot be used toward another travel award for a different conference, and any funding not used by the end of the fiscal year (June 30) is forfeited.

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