The Conference Presentation Grant
- up to $500 per recipient for travel expenses to present research
- for travel to regional and national meetings
- can cover airfare, mileage, lodging, and/or registration
- all USC system campuses and all disciplines are eligible to apply
2025-2026 Application Cycles
For the 2025-2026 academic year, we anticipate a large number of applications. This will likely result in a lower percentage of funded applications compared to previous years.
| Cycle | Application Period | Travel Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 23 - June 3, 2025 | July 1 - September 30, 2025 |
| 2 | August 15 - 21, 2025 | October 1 - December 31, 2025 |
| 3 | November 15 - 21, 2025 | January 1 - March 31, 2026 |
| 4 | February 13 - 20, 2026 | April 1 - June 30, 2026 |
Applications for travel grants are accepted in four cycles each year. Applications are reviewed the week following the application cycle and students are notified of award status following review.
*Note: applications submitted outside the designated application period will not be considered.
Eligibility
You must be:
- currently enrolled as a USC degree-seeking undergraduate (all campuses, disciplines, and academic years are eligible)
- traveling prior to your graduation to present research at a regional or national conference (not to conduct research or attend/network only; does not include Discover USC)
About Funding
- Funding is not guaranteed. If awarded, the maximum amount of $500 is also not guaranteed. Be sure to clearly articulate how all travel expenses will be covered, regardless of award outcome.
- Preference will be given to applicants with no other funding options and who have not previously received conference travel funding.
- Considerations:
- If you are eligible for funding through a university community to which you belong, you must apply for that funding and indicate so in your UR Conference Presentation Grant application. This includes, but is not limited to, LLCs, academic colleges and departments, and specific campuses.
- If you received a Magellan Scholar grant with conference travel budgeted, you must also indicate so when applying for the UR Conference Presentation Grant.
Application Process
- In consultation with your faculty mentor, prepare a Undergraduate Research Conference Presentation Grant application document that includes:
- a narrative (500-word maximum) describing why you want to attend the conference, how you expect to benefit from the event and how attending will impact your future plans
- a completed budget grid outlining all anticipated expenses and funding sources
- a copy of your abstract or summary of your project (should include the title and authors, or equivalent)
- proof of abstract submission and acceptance (if received) [copy of your submission page or email from conference]
- Please note: you must use the UR Conference Presentation Grant application template above for your application to be considered.
-
Complete the UR Conference Presentation Grant application during the appropriate application period.
Applications submitted outside the application period will not be considered. You will be required to submit the completed Undergraduate Research Conference Presentation Grant application document when submitting the application. -
If you are awarded the Undergraduate Research Conference Presentation Grant:
You will be required to submit confirmation of your abstract acceptance to the conference to our@sc.edu.
Student Limit
Due to limited funds, preference will be given to students who have not previously received conference travel funding. Students will be eligible to receive the UR Conference Presentation Grant award no more than once per academic year.
Mentor Limit
Due to limited funds, a maximum of $1,000 per fiscal year may be awarded to students working with a single faculty member.
Conference Limit
Support awarded toward a single conference during a fiscal year cannot exceed $1,500.
Allowable Travel Expenses
Keep in mind the maximum amount you can request is $500, and this award is processed as a reimbursement following travel.
Airfare and ground transportation
Airline tickets can be purchased online by you, your mentor, or a family member.
In some cases, airline tickets purchased prior to receiving the UR Conference Presentation Grant can be reimbursed, although this is not guaranteed.
Ground transportation to and from the conference site is an allowable expense.
Mileage (if using a personal car)
We will reimburse you for mileage using the university rate if all the following apply:
- you use a personal vehicle
- the meeting is more than an hour from Columbia
Transporation to a destination should be by the most economical and practical means. For a round trip that is less than 500 miles, motor vehicle transportation is considered best.
Lodging
We expect that you will stay in the same location as other members of your group.
We assume you will stay in safe but economical accommodations. Your lodging costs
must conform to the maximum lodging rate established for the location by the U.S.
General Services Administration.
Registration fees
If the conference reduces or waives registration fees for students, you must choose
that option.
We will not pay late registration fees.
Receipts
- Keep your receipts! They are required for reimbursement.
- Return your receipts to the Office of Undergraduate Research within five days of returning from your conference, or you may be denied reimbursement.
You must acknowledge our office on your poster or in your talk:
"Travel partially supported by the USC Office of Undergraduate Research Conference
Presentation Grant."
You must complete pre-travel paperwork with the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR):
OUR will contact you to complete pre-travel authorization. This must be completed
prior to travel to be eligible for reimbursement.
You must submit receipts within five days of returning:
Receipts not submitted within five days of returning from the conference may not be
eligible for reimbursement.