Conference Travel Funding

You can get support to present at conferences through George Mason's Graduate Student Travel Fund (GSTF). 

Mason believes attending conferences is a vital part of your studies, as it helps you: 

• Interact with students and professionals conducting research in your field.
• Start forming a professional network.
• Be inspired by new ideas.
• Get some practical advice. 

The GSTF was established to assist George Mason graduate students attend and participate in professional conferences pertaining to their field of study. Funding of up to $150 is provided for students presenting in local conferences (DC, Maryland, or Virginia), up to $350 for poster presentations or $450 for oral presentations outside of the local area but within the United States, and up to $1,000 for presentations at international conferences.

Funds are only distributed to graduate students currently enrolled in a certificate, master’s or doctoral graduate program of study.GSTF applications must be submitted by the student well in advance of their actual conference dates, then approved by their faculty advisor (and department chair for international conferences). 

Questions? Email gstf@gmu.edu

The GSTF will determine the amount of funding allocated to students based upon their level of participation, the scope of the conference, and the amount expected to be spent on travel. If the GSTF approves the student for an amount greater than the amount the student’s original receipts total, the balance will remain with the GSTF, and will not be distributed to the student. (Example: If the student is approved for $450.00 of GSTF funding, but only spends $300.00 at the conference, only $300.00 will be reimbursed to the student.)

If awarded GSTF funding, the amount granted to the student for their conference travel will vary between $150.00 to $1000.00 per student per fiscal year. The breakdown is as follows:

• Students presenting in conferences held in DC, Maryland or Northern Virginia (DMV): up to $150
• Students presenting outside of the DMV: up to $350 for poster presentations, or up to $450 for oral presentations
• Students presenting in an international conference: up to $1000 

Please note that funding is limited, especially for international conferences. International travel must be approved of by both your faculty advisor and your department chair. In addition, active members of GAPSA are eligible for an additional $50 of funding for domestic travel. For more information about GAPSA, visit their website or contact gapsa@gmu.edu.

• You must be a graduate student currently enrolled in a certificate, Master's, or doctoral program at George Mason University
• You must be presenting at the conference
• You can only receive GSTF funding once per fiscal year (between July 1 and June 30)
• You must receive your faculty advisor's approval to attend the conference, and for international conferences, you must also receive approval from your department chair
• Your Mason email address will be the primary method of communication about your funding request and reimbursement. (Make sure your Mason email inbox is not full. The GSTF will not resubmit bounced-back email notifications.)
• If you do not follow these procedures and adhere to guidelines, you may not receive funding.
• The GSTF reserves the right to modify its procedures at any time.
• You must submit your GSTF application before the deadline (listed below)

GSTF funding is limited, so meeting the eligibility requirement does not guarantee funding. Upon submission, your application will be reviewed by the GSTF, and you will receive a notification after the application deadline on whether or not your funding was approved.