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FUNDING FOR INDIVIDUALS

 

The following programs are designed for application by individuals. They support travel for research and professional development.

 

Details of the major funds are:

 

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1. The SAS Dean's Travel Subvention award is funded by the Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences, gives $500 per year, and is guaranteed for all SAS students. Accordingly, this is the source that you should apply to first so that you can have a guaranteed source of funding to go ahead with your trip. 

 

2. FALL 2021 UPDATE: The SASgov Conference Reimbursement Grant is funding for conference fees and support. This funding will be available to graduate students in attendance of both in person and virtual conferences while COVID-19 travel restrictions are still in effect.

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3. In addition to SASgov Conference Reimbursement Grants, GAPSA Travel Grants have a much larger budget. They can fund up to $800 per application. You can apply twice a year for the GAPSA Travel Grants and can apply whether you are presenting at conferences or merely attending them. Considering the high availability of this grant, you should apply to the GAPSA travel grants after the SAS Dean's Travel Subvention to have higher security of funding. 

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SAS Dean's Travel SubventioN (Open all academic year)

 

Please apply for the Dean’s Travel Subvention prior to applying for the SASgov Conference Reimbursement Grant (below).

 

Travel funds for one trip per year will be made available to those PhD candidates who are invited to give papers or to serve as commentators at meetings of a professional organization. Only PhD candidates who are full-time School of Arts  and Sciences graduate students in residence at the University are eligible to apply for these funds.

 

Travel funds may be used to cover any eligible travel expenses consistent with University Policy. Expenses will be covered up to a maximum of $500. 

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**Requests will only be considered upon the completion and submission of the Request for SAS Travel Subvention form prior to the trip; the form must be endorsed by the student's faculty advisor and Graduate Group or Department Chair. Contact  3600Market-RBO@sas.upenn.edu for further clarification and the application details.

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Please download the form (SAS Travel Subvention for Ph.D. Candidates) from the bottom left of this page and submit the completed form via email to 3600Market-RBO@sas.upenn.edu or hand carry to SAS Administrative and Financial Services, 3600 Market St., Suite 501.

 

Award amount:

  • Up to $500

  • Application found here.

  • Required: Signature of Faculty Advisor and Graduate Group Chair

  • Submit to: SAS Finance Office, 3600 Market St, Ste 501/2649

  • Email for clarifications and application submission: 3600Market-RBO@sas.upenn.edu 

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SASgov Conference Reimbursement Grant

(SPRING 2022 application window OPENs February 1, 8:00am) 

Application closes: MARCH 31st, 2022

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SASgov's "Travel" Grant is designed to help defray the cost of conference participation for doctoral and master's students presenting their work. This grant funds conference participation taking place between January 1st, 2022 and June 30th, 2022. Funds are usually only dispersed after other sources of funding, such as the Dean’s Travel Subvention (above), are applied for.

 

Will open February 1 at 8:00 am Eastern Time.

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Award Amount:

 

These amounts are not guaranteed and are awarded very selectively after being reviewed by the SASgov Finance Committee when the application period ends. Because funds are limited, we encourage graduate students to apply to multiple funding sources such as the ones listed on this page. Only enrolled doctoral and master's students at the School of Arts and Sciences are eligible to apply.

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SASgov Research Grant 

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Purpose: SASgov will fund at least an additional five (5) Research Grants to support innovative, interdisciplinary research by Penn graduate students enrolled in the School of Arts and Sciences. These competitive grants are meant to supplement successful applicants’ primary funding. These funds must be used in accordance with University policies regarding research funds. Graduate students from ALL departments are encouraged to apply, but preference will be given to interdisciplinary projects which are capable of demonstrating impacts to the broader global community. 

 

Funding: Up to $2000 grant per project.

 

Notes: The applicant must be a full-time or part-time Penn graduate student in the School of Arts and Sciences for the duration of their grant.

 

Applications Open February 9th, 2022 at 12:00 pm Eastern Time

Applications Close March 11th, 2022 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time

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Application Instructions: To apply for the research grant, please email your application, letter of recommendation, and proposed budget to sasgov-finance@sas.upenn.edu. If you applied in Fall 2021 and are applying with the same project, you are not required to submit an updated letter of recommendation. The application and proposed budget (spending up to $2,000) should be two separate documents. Submissions will only be accepted as PDFs.

 

Applicants should explain their work to a general audience (graduate students throughout SAS will be reviewing these applications) in 1500 words or less (not including proposed budget or references). In your application, please be sure to highlight the following aspects of the project:

A) How is my project unique within my field of study? 

            B) How could my project advance the knowledge within my field of study?

            C) How could my project impact academics and other researchers in related fields?

            D) How could my project impact society at large? 

            E) If my project is funded, how will I spend the money?

 

Please use Times New Roman, size 12, single spaced. Figures are allowed and encouraged but limited to 3 per submission.

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SASgov RESource and technology Grant

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Due to popular demand after the Dean’s Office Technology grant in AY20 and to better serve the needs of the School of Arts and Sciences student body, SASgov is proud to announce a new grant for AY21-22, the Resource and Technology Grant. 

 

Who: Any full-time PhD student in the School of Arts and Sciences

What: This grant can be used for/towards the following items:

  • Computers, printers, tablets, cameras, and accessories (including but not limited to printer ink, printer paper, charging cords, mouse/trackpad, keyboard, monitor, cables/dongles/adapters, desk, desk chair, etc.) needed to complete your degree

  • Software or software subscriptions (such as Origin, Adobe Creative Cloud, etc.) needed to complete your degree

  • Assistive technology not covered by Weingarten Center/Student Disability Services*

  • Subscriptions to journals, newspapers, magazines, industry publications, or other online or print resources not provided by Penn Libraries*

  • Textbooks or other required texts needed to complete your degree not provided by Penn Libraries

  • Items needed to complete field work such as a backpack, water bottle, portable measuring device (such as a pH meter), hiking boots, shovel, etc.

 

This grant is NOT to be used for:

  • Travel-related expenses (please apply for Dean’s Travel Subvention or SASgov Travel grants)

  • Passport or VISA fees as part of traveling for fieldwork or conferences (please apply for Dean’s Travel Subvention or SASgov Travel grants)

  • Conference or other professional development meeting registration fees (please apply for Dean’s Travel Subvention or SASgov Travel grants)

 

Needed to complete your degree is defined as something you would use on approximately a weekly basis as part of progressing towards the completion of your degree and is not already provided by your advisor, the School of Arts and Sciences, or any entity the University of Pennsylvania.

 

Rules: Each applicant is limited to $200 per AY in order to allow for more students to have access to the limited funding available for this year. This can be a single item or multiple items totaling up to $200 per applicant. This grant can only be used to purchase items or reimburse expenses accrued in AY21-22. It cannot be used to reimburse previous expenses prior to July 1, 2021. Receipts are required for reimbursed expenses.

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Link: https://forms.gle/LoBoovjXgAfs4d2JA

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SASgov Professional Society Membership Grant

Application Window: September 1st, 2021 - April 30th, 2022

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SASgov will reimburse graduate students who wish to join their academic discipline's professional society. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

 

Award Amount:

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NEW UNIVERSITY UPDATED TRAVEL POLICIES and guidelines

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Penn travel remains in a restricted status due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, as the University resumes strategic research, academic, and business initiatives, the following updates to travel policy were approved and in effect beginning September 7, 2021:

 

  • Faculty, staff, and post-docs on individual, Penn-affiliated international travel will no longer be required to petition CITRA for travel approval.  Global Support Services and International Risk Management remain available for international travel risk and logistics advice upon request.  All student travel to countries rated by the CDC as Level 3 or Level 4 continues to require a petition for approval.

 

  • MyTrips registration remains a requirement for all international Penn-Affiliated travel.  As restrictions related to the pandemic are lifted, MyTrips registration for international Penn-Affiliated travel may remain in place as permanent policy. 

 

  • CITRA has created a set of recommendations to assist group trip administrators as they explore the health, safety, and logistical challenges of group travel (defined as five or more individuals following the same itinerary) during the ongoing pandemic.  Use of the recommendations is optional but highly recommended for both domestic and international group trips.  As a reminder, group travel to countries rated by the CDC as Level 3 or Level 4 requires a petition for approval to travel.

 

Any questions regarding international travel policy and procedure can be directed to travelsafety@pobox.upenn.edu.  Please visit their website for important information and updates regarding global travel.

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