Funding for Student Conference Travel

Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund applications and all required application materials are due to Beyond Barnard 30 days prior to the registration deadline for your event or conference. Please note: Funds are on a first-come, first-served application consideration basis.

All Barnard College students are eligible to apply. Please note that students are only eligible to receive Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference funding one time. Repeat applications will not be accepted.

Students should clearly demonstrate the connection between the proposed professional development event and career or scholarly development goals to the conference presentation. The selection committee will also consider the applicant’s resume and essay, as well as the quality of the proposed professional opportunity event.

The amount of the grant awards will vary depending on each student’s request and the funding available. Awardees will receive $250 if attending a conference and $500 if presenting at a conference to help offset travel and conference expenses. Checks will be released within 10 days of completion of all Grantee Requirements (see below).

To be considered for a Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund Grant, students will be required to submit:

1. A Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund application, which includes a budget, essay, and resume.
2. A letter of support from a faculty member, an instructor, or from your major adviser to be sent to beyondbarnard@barnard.edu. Your application is considered incomplete and will not be reviewed without it. Please be in touch with your recommenders directly to ensure on time delivery of the letter of support.

Applications should be submitted at least 30 calendar days prior to any event registration deadlines.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Students will be notified of grant decisions via email within 10 business days of submission of all required materials.

1. Grantees are expected to attend their stated conference.
2. Grantees are expected to prepare thank-you notes for their grant donors.
3. Grantees are expected to complete an online evaluation form.
4. Grantees are expected to submit a brief reflection after the conclusion of the conference.

Beyond Barnard supports students who are selected to attend or present at professional conferences, with particular emphasis on conferences related to major concentrations and/or chosen paths. Attendance at a range of conferences that align with student professional and intellectual interests has become an increasingly important element of the undergraduate experience. Beyond Barnard is committed to reducing the cost burden of attendance. Funding is provided by the Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund.

To apply for travel funds, students are required to fill out this form and obtain a brief letter of support from a faculty member. Questions? Visit the Conference Travel Funding page on the Barnard website or email beyondbarnard@barnard.edu.

In applying for the Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund:

1. I attest that all of the information that I have provided in this application is correct.
2. I verify that I am currently a matriculated Barnard College student in good academic standing.
3. If selected as a Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund recipient, I agree to commit to attending the professional event/conference listed on the application.
4. I agree that I will accept the funding from one Barnard College award to attend the event/conference. I understand that Barnard College policy prohibits me from accepting funds from multiple Barnard College sources to finance one opportunity without permission from Beyond Barnard, the Dean of the College, and/or the College Provost.
5. I agree that I will disclose all sources that are providing funding for the Professional Opportunity outlined herein and all amounts of funding received for the opportunity outlined herein prior to accepting funding from the Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund.
6. I acknowledge that I have read the Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund application guidelines above.
7. If selected as a Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund recipient, I agree to complete all Tow Fund requirements as listed on this application and Beyond Barnard’s website, including a letter of thanks to donors. In the case that I fail to complete the Tow Special Professional Opportunities Conference Fund requirements, I understand that I may forfeit the entirety or a portion of my grant.