guidelines as of July 15, 2003

The GESSA Research and Travel Fund (RTF) program makes up the bulk of GESSA's yearly expenditure and consists of monies derived from its operational budget and $4,000 allocated by the Faculty's Research and Awards Committee for GESSA to administer.

It is meant to help offset the travel and research costs incurred by graduate student in FES during their research and conference attendance. It is NOT meant to be a primary funding source.

We strongly suggest that you seek out other funding sources in addition to this fund. The RTF program should not decide the feasibility of potential research projects or attendance at conferences and workshops.

The RTF program is one of the main ways that GESSA uses its funds to support students. Other ways include resources, conferences, speaking series, social events, and academic forums. GESSA’s mandate for spending is guided by student input. This fund is a way for us to support one another and the resources used here need to be shared by all students.

NOTE: The RTF application guidelines have been changed and are in effect for the September 15, 2003 deadline. Based on input from students, and past and present RTF committees, the new guidelines will help make funding more accessible and equitable to FES students, and will help the RTF committee administer the funds more effectively.

DEADLINES

There are three funding cycles per academic year with the following deadlines:

• September 15
• January 15
• April 1

Applications must cover activities ending in the current funding cycle (before the cycle deadline).

Only registered students are eligible to apply. Outgoing students are eligible to apply for the deadline ending the term in which they were last registered. New incoming students are not eligible for the cycle ending September 15th.

FUNDING

This fund can cover up to a maximum of 50% of the cost of eligible activities. The actual amount awarded will depend on how many applications are received in that cycle. If the requests for funds exceed the amount of funding available, awards will be based on an equal percentage distribution (e.g. all applicants may receive 40% of the cost of their eligible activities).

The maximum grant available per application is $500. The maximum amount of funds available to a student per academic year is $600.

APPLICATION

Please submit separate applications and choose only one category for each activity. Activities should be in support of your Plan of Study. All applications have to be completed in full, including the following:

• Cover Letter: outlining the activity carried out and its application to your Plan of Study.
• Receipts: include a detailed list with the date, item and what it was used for.
• Advisor Signature: please have your advisor sign a note or write an email indicating that the activity was relevant to your Plan of Study or research.
• Support Material: conference schedules, course outlines, research output, etc.

CATEGORIES

A. Thesis/Major Paper/Research Project – maximum of $500: funds activities and resources to undertake research, usually in the later stages of the program. Includes travel, books and supplies. Applicants must demonstrate that expenses were necessary and incurred solely for research purposes.

B. Conference (Presenting) – maximum of $500: funds travel, accommodation and registration fees to support students accepted to present their work at conferences. Please provide proof of acceptance and presentation (e.g., conference schedule)

C. Conference (Attending) – maximum of $300: funds travel, accommodation and registration fees to support student attendance at conferences.

D. Skill Development – maximum of $300: funds courses and workshops that supplement your Plan of Study, and are not available through MES.

E. Course Requirements – maximum of $200: funds course requirements that are over and above tuition and course books, for example, field trip expenses.

Activities that the GESSA RTF program will NOT fund include: meals, computer software and hardware, photocopying and printer costs, or honorariums paid to research participants.

CONTACT

If you have any comments or questions about the guidelines or the RTF process, please contact us at gessa@yorku.ca.