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GSA 2020 ANNUAL MEETING
Tips for Students on How to

Make the Annual Meeting Affordable

Teresa Baraza and Allie Nagurney Non-Profit Association Funding Opportunities for Travel
GSA’s Sections, Divisions, and Associated Societies offer travel
GSA Annual Meetings are great opportunities to learn, share grants. Many of these require you to apply in the spring and sum-
your research, and network with other students and scientists. mer to attend the annual meeting in the fall, so be sure to check
Here are some ideas on how you can find funding to support your deadlines early.
travel and tips for saving money while you're at the meeting. GSA Sections offer financial assistance to GSA student
members to attend the annual meeting. Deadlines are usually
University Funding Opportunities for Travel in August or September.
Travel awards are often available through your university. Do GSA Divisions offer grants, especially when students attend a
some research and consult with your advisor, and email or set up short course or field trip.
meetings with individuals at the administrative, department, and GSA International provides travel grants to international
faculty levels. Be sure to look into extracurricular associations on scientists and students. The deadline is in early June.
campus as well. Many GSA Associated Societies meet at the GSA Annual
Home Department: This should be the first place you go to Meeting. Groups such as the Association for Women Geoscientists
look for funding. First, have a conversation with your advisor and offer travel grants to attend conferences.
lay out expectations. Do they have research grant funding for you GSA Student Volunteer Program: In return for working at least
to go to a conference? Even if your advisor has research funding ten hours during the meeting, GSA grants you complimentary regis-
they may want you to seek out other opportunities. Many depart- tration. These jobs cover a wide spectrum of opportunities, from
ments have money for students to travel to meetings, but some- working at the registration desk, helping to run short courses and
times these awards are dependent on you submitting an abstract career programs, to assisting in technical sessions to ensure every-
or attending a short course or field trip. thing runs smoothly. Hundreds of students are needed at each
Research Office, Graduate Division Office, or Graduate annual meeting. This program opens in early August and normally
School staff can help you write a proposal or letter and draft a fills up quickly, so sign up early. Volunteering is also a great way to
budget for research, travel costs, and dissemination of your see the behind the scenes of the meeting and learn what it takes to
results. Sometimes these grants are semester-based, and you make a GSA Annual Meeting happen.
can’t apply for them until after the conference, so just keep that The On To the Future program offers travel awards to students
in mind when planning. and recent graduates from diverse backgrounds who have never
Undergraduate and Graduate Student Associations and attended a GSA Annual Meeting.
Offices for Giving and Donations often offer financial scholar-
ships and fellowships. Some funds are set aside for career services Other Money-Saving Opportunities
to help students reach their occupational goals through network- • Visit the GSA Roommates & Rides Community to share housing,
ing, connecting with employers, and exploring graduate programs. airport shuttles, and/or carpool.
These could all be accomplished by attending a professional meet- • Attend events for students and early career professionals. You will
ing. If you need help locating these awards, visit your career receive important career advice, and some of these programs offer
services and financial aid offices. coffee, light snacks, or lunch.
Student Affairs and Other University Offices embrace diver- • Stock your hotel room refrigerator with snacks and fruit.
sity and inclusion, international, LGBTQ+, people with disabili-
ties, married with children, undocumented people, and veterans. GSA Annual Meetings are great opportunities to network,
These departments may offer workshops and tutorials, and their learn, and disseminate your research. Start looking for funding
staff could help you meet your travel goals. opportunities in late spring/early summer, and if you apply for a
variety of funding opportunities, you should be able to cover the
cost of your travel to the meeting.

Teresa Baraza is a Ph.D. student at Saint Louis University and
is the Soils Division Representative of the GSA Student Advisory
Council. Allie Nagurney is a Ph.D. Candidate at Virginia Tech
and is the Chair of the GSA Student Advisory Council.

14 GSA Today | June 2020