GPSG Travel Awards

Applicants must be from an eligible departments. Virtual conference award eligibility is determined from Senator attendance at GPSG Senate meetings.

The criteria for eligibility of departments are :

• If at least one Senator from that department is present at that Senate meeting, then the department is considered present at the Senate meeting.
• Before the first Senate meeting of the year only the departments that were eligible in summer the previous year AND have Senators for the next year are considered eligible.
• Have already assigned Senators are considered eligible.
• If a department does not have Senators for two consecutive Senate meetings, then the entire department is considered ineligible.
• If a department is ineligible, then at least one Senator must attend two consecutive Senate meetings to be eligible.
• Committee chairs have the right to decide if Senators have an appropriate engagement in the committee to be marked present for committee meetings.
• If no Senator from the department is considered present at the GPSG committee meeting, then the department is automatically considered absent for the entire Senate meeting.

To check if your department is eligible, click here

There are three different categories of awards:

• Type I Awards:
  • Worth a maximum of $300.00 USD.
  • Available to applicants participating as a commentator, panel chair, and/or presenter of at least one of the following: paper, poster, workshop, recital, case competition display, and/or work of art or design.

• Type II Awards:
  • Worth a maximum of $200.00 USD.
  • Available to applicants who are a co-author/co-creator of the paper, poster, workshop, recital, case competition display, and/or work of art or design but are not presenting; are attending a professional committee meeting as an officer (applicants needs to provide additional proof of membership on committee)

• Type III Awards:
  • Worth a maximum of $100.00 USD.
  • Available to applicants who are attending a virtual conference related to their field but not presenting research; are attending a virtual career fair; and/or are attending a virtual audition.

* The remaining funds for the second conference can be used for future conference participation. Please notify the Awards and Professional Development Co-Chair  (GPSG.awards@tamu.edu)  for the Scholarship committee ten (10) days before the award period ends.

You may find the form for application here: Travel Awards Form

• Abstract Rubric (max 6 points):
  • (1 point) Goal, hypothesis, or description
    • The scholarly project had a goal, argument, or logical hypothesis that was stated clearly and concisely.
  • (1 point) Background
    • Sufficient background information was provided so as to provide connections to broader issues or context for the work.
  • (1 points) Methods
    • Choice of methods addressed the hypothesis or goal of project, or
    • The project’s theoretical framework was clearly explained.
  • (1 point) Results
    • Data has been collected which addresses the goal or hypothesis, or
    • Analysis of the primary sources or texts has demonstrated the soundness of the claim made.
  • (1 point) Significance
    • Abstract addresses significance of project.
  • (1 point) Conclusions
    • Reasonable conclusions were drawn that connected to project goals or hypothesis.

• Personal Statement Rubric (max 5 points):
  • (1 point) What are your motivations for attending the event?
  • (1 point) What are the benefits (tangible or intangible) you expect to receive from participating in said event?
  • (2 points) How will your participation in said event aid in your professional and/or career development? For example:
    • Improving science communication skills
    • Networking for future career trajectory
    • Networking for project collaboration
  • (1 point) Anything else you deem necessary and/or would like to share with the selection committee? For example:
    • Academic and/or research excellence
    • Financial need
    • How will Texas A&M University benefit from your participation from said event?

Required to be filled in by the award recipients

• Substitute W9 and Vendor Direct Deposit Form
• Vendor Information Sheet
• Post Business Trip Form

For list of past recipients, please visit here.

For FAQs, please visit here.

If you have any other questions please feel free to contact the Scholarship Committee Co-Chair of Awards and Professional Development at GPSG.awards@tamu.edu