Urban Affairs Doctoral Student Travel Funds Program

The Urban Affairs Doctoral Student Travel Fund supports students in presenting their research or creative activities at professional conferences/meetings and allows students to engage with the broader professional community. This fund will allow our doctoral students to communicate their results to a professional audience and to experience networking with academics, professionals, and students with similar interests.

The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy aims to promote the equitable distribution of travel funds.

Who Can Apply?

• Urban Affairs doctoral students currently enrolled and in good academic standing can apply.
• Students can receive support from the Urban Affairs Doctoral Student Travel Fund only once per academic year. 
• Although a student can apply more than once during their doctoral studies, priority will be given to first-time applicants. 
• A student can only receive a maximum of $1000 during each application round. 

What Type of Travel Is Supported?

The SUAPP Sponsored Urban Affairs Student Travel Fund will support two types of travel.

Category 1:  Presenter Conference Funds:

• Students can apply for travel funds to present their research or creative activity at a professional conference. The work being presented must have been done in a University of Memphis-sponsored program or under the direct supervision of a University of Memphis faculty or staff member. (Maximum grant: $1000)
• To receive these funds, a student must be accepted as a presenter or co-presenter at a conference. 

Category 2: Attendee Conference Funds

Students may also apply for travel funds to engage with the broader professional community. Up to $500 may be requested. Work of this nature may include attending special research-related workshops, exhibitions, or professional conferences (at which the student is not presenting). In such cases, a faculty member must endorse the student’s attendance.