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Graduate Student Travel Funding

The Office of Graduate Studies provides a limited number of travel funding for graduate students who are presenting at a professional/academic conference or attending conferences for academic enrichment.

Please click on the accordion below for more information.

PRESENTING at a Professional/Academic Conference

Students presenting a paper, poster or performance at a professional/academic conference can request funds up to $500.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Students must be currently enrolled in a CSUN master’s or doctoral program at the time of application submission and the semester the academic travel is requested (enrollment in A/R 601 is acceptable).
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA (cannot be on academic probation).
  • Students presenting at a conference can only be funded no more than two times in the academic year.
  • CSUN employees are not eligible, except TAs and GAs.
  • California residency is not a requirement.
  • Students enrolled in a STATE supported graduate program (not administered through Tseng College) must first apply for Student Travel & Academic Research (STAR) funding from Associated Students. Examples of covered expenditures include conference registration fees, airfare, hotel and ground transportation. Students must submit requests for STAR funding at least one month in advance to be eligible. Note: Retroactive funding is not permitted so be sure to apply for funding as soon as possible. For information on how to apply, see the Associated Students Travel and Academic Funding section below.

Accessing Application

To apply for funding from Graduate Studies, complete the Graduate Student Travel Funding Application.
SPECIAL NOTE: Please enter your CSUN e-mail address to access and complete the application.

Associated Students Travel and Academic Funding

The purpose of Student Travel & Academic Research (STAR) is to encourage the intellectual development of individual CSUN students, or small groups, by partially funding costs associated with scholarly work. Projects may include original research or other academic work, such as papers, posters, performance pieces and presentations at academic or professional conferences or competitions. Up to $3,000 is available for small group academic research projects, and, typically, up to $500 per person. The following are hypothetical examples of eligible research projects.

  • Thesis research or projects
  • Film, screenwriting, play, workshop, musical work or performance projects
  • Scientific and quasi-scientific study or experiment
  • Research projects relating to one’s academic discipline

Up to $600, or a maximum of $6,000 for as many as ten persons, is available for travel to academic conferences. Examples of covered expenditures include conference registration fees, airfare, hotel and ground transportation. Students must submit proof (invitation or receipt) that he or she will be presenting or speaking at the conference.

STAR funding is available on a first-come, first served basis. There is not an annual application process. Currently enrolled students may submit requests for STAR funding throughout the academic year at least one month in advance. Retroactive funding is not permitted. 

To apply for funding from Associated Students, please visit: Student Travel and Academic Research (STAR) Funding.

ATTENDING a Professional/Academic Conference

Students attending a professional/academic conference can request funds up to $300. SPECIAL NOTE: Limited up to 5 students attending the same conference.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Students must be currently enrolled in a CSUN master’s or doctoral program at the time of application submission and the semester the academic travel is requested (enrollment in A/R 601 is acceptable).
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA (cannot be on academic probation).
  • Students attending a conference can only be funded one time for the academic year.
  • CSUN employees are not eligible, except TAs and GAs.
  • California residency is not a requirement.

Accessing Application

To apply for funding to attend a conference, complete the Graduate Student Travel Funding Application.
SPECIAL NOTE: Please enter your CSUN e-mail address to access and complete the application.