Biochemistry Undergraduate Travel Awards Overview

Description

Biochemistry Travel Awards are funds provided to support the presentation (oral or poster) of graduate students and postdocs in Biochemistry labs (or IPiB students in Biochemistry affiliate labs).

Total departmental funding availability for travel awards is $20,000 per year. Awardees will receive funding on 161-1611119.

Location

Materials for Biochemistry Travel Awards can be found on the file server at Development\Awards\Travel Awards\Biochemistry Travel Awards.

Award Eligibility

People Eligible to Apply

• • • Graduate students in the lab of a Biochemistry Department faculty member 
      ​​​​​​​​​or
    • IPiB Graduate Students in the lab of a Biochemistry affiliate faculty member​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
      or
    • Postdocs in the lab of a Biochemistry Department faculty member

Students in other programs or departments, staff, and scientists are not eligible.

The applicant must be giving an oral presentation or be first author on a poster being displayed. A copy of the poster or talk abstract (with authors shown) must accompany the application.

Funding Eligibility

Only one award will be given to any individual per academic year (September 1 - August 31). The maximum award is $500 for domestic travel (includes Canada and Mexico) and $700 for international travel.

• • • People with a travel allowance on their fellowships or grants should use money from this source first; Biochemistry may then supplement such awards up to the $500 or $700 limit.
    • Students on training grants should request travel funds first from the grant; Biochemistry may then supplement such awards up to the $500 or $700 limit.
    • A postdoctoral fellow who has a travel allowance is not generally eligible. Postdocs must first use available travel funds; Biochemistry may then supplement such awards up to the $500 or $700 limit

Annual Award Setup

Biochemistry Travel Awards are processed on a rolling basis during each Academic year, from September 1 - August 31.

1. Create AY Award Folder

   1. Create a new folder for the Academic Year, title AY 20XX-XX
   2. Create a new folder for applications, title Applications
   3. Create a new folder for award notices, title Award Notices
   4. Create a new Travel Award Spreadsheet, title AY20XX-XX_TravelAwardSummary

Award Processing

Applicants must complete the Biochemistry Travel Award Application and submit materials at least one week prior to the planned trip. Materials submitted will be distributed to awards@biochem.wisc.edu for review.

1. Receive award application

   1. Create applicant file in appropriate AY folder, title LastName_FirstName
   2. Save PDF copy of application to applicant file, title TravelAwardApp_LastName
   3. Enter applicant info in Travel Award Spreadsheet to track eligibility and funding availability

2. Verify award eligibility

   1. Verify applicant eligibility

      1. Review Appointment Query (FacStaff\Payroll\Appointment Queries\Biochem_Appointments) to verify if an employee is a graduate student or postdoc in a Biochemistry lab
      2. If applicant does not appear in the Appointment Query, review IPiB student directory to determine if applicant is in a Biochemistry affiliate lab
      3. If applicant does not appear in either of the above, email Biochemistry HR to determine if applicant is a new hire not yet listed or is on a fellowship or traineeship outside of Biochemistry

   2. Verify funding eligibility

      1. Review Travel Award Spreadsheet to verify that applicant has not received an award during current academic year

3. Verify complete award application

   1. Applicant name and e-mail address
   2. Applicant status (grad student, postdoc)
   3. Nature of meeting, location, date(s)
   4. Breakdown of expected expenses (travel, lodging, registration, meals, etc.)
   5. Details of other support available or applied for (training grant, conference support, etc.)
   6. Copy of poster or talk abstract (with authors shown)

4. Award or deny funds

   1. Award funds

      1. Enter awardee date and amount in Travel Award Spreadsheet
      2. Email notice of award
      3. Save PDF copy of award notice to applicant file, title TravelAwardNotice_LastName

   2. Deny funds

      1. Enter denial note in Travel Award Spreadsheet
      2. Email notice of denial
      3. Save PDF copy of award notice to applicant file, titled TravelAwardNotice_LastName