Q: What if my conference start date is in one month and the end date is in another month (e.g., March 30th-April 3rd)?
A: You should apply in the first 10 days of the month prior to the start date of your conference. In the example listed above, you would apply by February 10th.
Q: What if I haven’t yet received confirmation from the conference organizers that my abstract has been accepted?
A: Unfortunately, this is a required component of the application. If you are unable to apply for a travel grant due to the timing of the application relative to the conference, please let us know. We may be able to use this feedback to adjust application deadlines in the future!
Q: I’m confused about this application process; what is the timeline for an example conference that takes place November 11th – 15th?
A: You should apply for the travel grant in the October 1st-10th cycle because it is in the month before your conference begins. You will hear back on whether you received an award by the end of October. If you receive the award, you will go to your conference and submit receipts for reimbursement up to $300. If you wish to be eligible for an additional $200 EGSO-BioE Travel Grant award (announced in late March), you will submit a one-page summary of your conference experience at the time you request reimbursement.
Q: How are applications reviewed and recipients selected?
A: All applications will undergo a primary review by three rotating BMES officers, who will score each application with a standardized rubric. This rubric includes objective criteria such as conference location (national vs. international) and type of presentation (talk vs. poster), as well as subjective criteria such as impact on professional career and expected financial impact. All other BMES officers (with the exception of any who have applied in the current cycle) will serve as secondary reviewers, discussing all applications at the monthly officer meeting and coming to an agreement on the award recipient. Final award decisions will be sent out following a discussion with an impartial faculty member (e.g., the BioE Graduate Coordinator, Raj Gandhi).
Q:I have received an EGSO or BioE Travel Grant in the past. Can I still apply for another award?
A: Individuals are eligible to receive one BioE Travel Grant per academic year (e.g., 2019-2020). If you have received an award in prior years, you are eligible to apply; however, preference will be given to those who have not previously received an award.
Q: What’s the difference between this travel grant program and the EGSO-BioE Travel Grant award?
A: In previous years, the BioE department and EGSO teamed up to award travel grants to 5 students each year. The BioE Travel Grant program is a new program which aims to provide additional opportunities for BioE students to apply for an award in the month prior to their conference travel rather than at designated time periods in the Fall or Spring semester. This program is still integrated with the EGSO-BioE Travel Grant program, as students who receive a BioE travel grant are eligible to apply for an EGSO travel grant (see next question).
Q: How do I apply for an EGSO Travel Grant?
A: To be eligible for an EGSO Travel Grant, you must submit a brief summary of your conference travel at the time of seeking reimbursement. A few nominees will be selected for an EGSO award and will be notified in mid-March. These awardees receive an additional $200 and will be honored at the annual EGSO awards luncheon in April. (Also see “Note about EGSO Travel Grants” above).
Q: What if my question wasn’t answered here?
A: For all questions related
to this program, please reach out to us at gradbmes@pitt.edu,
and we will follow up with you.