Travel Awards
The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) offers travel awards of up to $500* to support undergraduate students presenting their research at conferences and other equivalent venues. The application period is rolling, and awards will be disbursed until funds are exhausted. Current applications are for travel completed by June 30, 2027.
All expenditures must be made by the faculty sponsor using their personal or department One Card and expensed to OUR. Email usdtravel@sandiego.edu with your questions about Concur, One Card, travel, and expenses.
Student Eligibility
- Enrolled as a full-time USD undergraduate in good academic standing
- Have submitted an abstract to present original research at the conference/venue
- Have not received a prior OUR travel grant in the last 12 months
Update 7/1/2026
The 2026/2027 OUR Travel Award application is now available. See below for more information.
Eligible Expenses
No reimbursements for out-of-pocket purchases. Please work with your faculty sponsor to make purchases through a USD One Card.
What is covered:
- Conference registration fees
- Airfare (must be purchased through Concur)
- Uber, Lyft or Taxi expenses
- Public transportation (subway, bus and train)
- Lodging (Hotel or Airbnb)
- Poster printing costs
What is NOT covered:
- Meals
- Rental cars
- Mileage or gas
- Alcohol
- Expenses unrelated to the conference
- More than the funding approved
Celebrating our Travel Award students!
This year only, a portion of fall OUR Travel Awards will go towards supporting student presentations at the 2026 Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR) at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Saturday, November 21, 2026. The early-bird, student abstract submission deadline is on July 31, 2026, and the regular deadline is on October 9, 2026. We will support up to 15 student presenters from a diversity of disciplines at this specific conference. Applications for an OUR Travel Award to present at SCCUR will only cover (1) the registration fee and (2) poster-printing. All travel award guidelines and eligibility still apply. Students may apply for an OUR Travel Award to present at SCCUR and another conference as long as the total amount requested does not exceed the $500 maximum allowance.
How to Apply
Complete the Student Application
The student presenter must fill out this form to be eligible for the OUR Travel Award. The form asks about the following:
- Conference details
- Title and abstract of presentation
- Proof of abstract submission and/or acceptance
- Statement of interest
- In <300 words, tell us how you will benefit from attending and presenting at this conference. Please clearly describe how this opportunity will contribute to your professional development and align with your future career and educational goals.
- Budget
Complete the Faculty Recommendation
The faculty mentor must complete this form and ensure the student has completed step 1 for the sponsored student to be eligible for the OUR Travel Award.
Recommendation prompts:
- In <300 words, please provide a justification for the student’s need for this travel award. While you may not know the granular details of their personal finances, please address the lack of available funding to support their travel, and how receiving (or not receiving) this award would impact their ability to attend.
- In <300 words, please provide the rationale for sending this student to present at this particular conference. How will preparing for and participating in this event enhance the student’s academic trajectory, professional development, and/or personal growth?
Faculty cannot sponsor more than 4 students per fiscal year.
Complete both parts of the application (student and faculty portions) at least 30 days before travel
A complete application consists of a student application and a faculty recommendation (steps 1 and 2). Otherwise, they will not be reviewed. Complete applications must be submitted and received at least 30 days before travel.
Applications will be reviewed every other Monday.
Timeline
- OUR reviews complete applications every other Monday.
- The faculty and student pair should expect to hear from OUR within 2-3 weeks after their complete application is submitted.
- The 2026/2027 award must be spent by June 30, 2027.
Travel Opportunities
Interested in more travel opportunities? Check out these options below: