GSA Academic Travel Grants

The GSA Academic Travel Grant helps offset the cost of participation in academic activities such as conferences and research trips that are directly related to graduate students' current academic programs.

Funding is also available for costs associated with online events.

Carefully review the relevant GSA Policy and eligibility criteria for the GSA Academic Travel Grant below. Email gsa.grants@ualberta.ca if you have any questions.

On the application form, you will be asked to provide:

  • Contact information for yourself and your supervisor/chair/delegate;
  • Information on the academic event you will be attending;
  • Expenses related to the academic event (registration; airfare; accommodations; etc. - estimates are okay); and,
  • Any sources of funding you already have.

Reminder: ATG applications can only be submitted no more than six (6) weeks before the academic event (as determined from the date the application is received). Applications received after the academic event has occurred will not be eligible

For example: if the academic event starts on March 25, count backward six (6) weeks - February 11 is the first day of eligibility.

Once you have submitted an application, your supervisor/chair/delegate will be contacted to confirm that the event is directly related to your current academic program.


GSA Policy, GSA Grant Application Policy and Information, GSA Academic Travel Grants (quoted directly from GSA Bylaw and Policy):

Applicants will be notified by the GSA by email once processing has been completed and a decision has been made.
P.POL.1.1 Purpose
P.POL.1.1.a The GSA Academic Travel Grant (GSA ATG) is funded by the Graduate Student Support Fund, a GSA-negotiated benefit to all GSA members.
P.POL.1.1.b The GSA ATG is intended to help offset the cost of participation in academic activities such as conferences and research trips that are directly related to an applicant’s current academic program, as confirmed by either the Supervisor or designate (for thesis-based students) or the Advisor or Department Chair or designate (for course-based students).
P.POL.1.1.c The GSA ATG can be used to offset the cost of participation in both local opportunities and those necessitating long distance travel.
P.POL.1.1.d The GSA ATG is not intended to be used to offset the cost of for-credit courses necessary for an applicant’s degree program, including any associated travel.
P.POL.1.2 Eligibility
P.POL.1.2.a Applicants must be GSA members as per GSA Bylaw and Policy, Sections B.BYL.1.a and B.BYL.1.1.b.
P.POL.1.2.b GSA ATG applications can only be submitted no more than six (6) weeks before the academic event (as determined from the date the application is received). Applications received after the academic event has occurred will not be eligible.
P.POL.1.2.c GSA ATGs will be awarded only for allowable expenses, using the University’s regulations on allowable expenses as a guideline (University of Alberta Policies and Procedures Online, Travel Expense Procedure and Travel Expense Procedure Appendix A, Schedule of Allowable Travel Expenses), except for hosting expenses, which are not eligible.
P.POL.1.2.d Applicants may submit a maximum of one (1) GSA ATG application for each specified academic activity and there is no limit to the number of GSA ATG applications a GSA member can submit during their degree program, notwithstanding Section P.POL.1.3, below.
P.POL.1.3 Allocation
P.POL.1.3.a GSA ATGs are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.
P.POL.1.3.b The GSA will offer grants until allocated funding is expended in the specified period (ie 1 April – 30 June; 1 July – 30 September; 1 October – 31 December; 1 January – 31 March).
P.POL.1.3.c If all available funds have been expended in the specified period, no additional applications will be accepted during that period.
P.POL.1.3.d A Master’s student will be awarded up to a maximum of $500 during their degree program.
P.POL.1.3.e A Doctoral student will be awarded up to a maximum of $1,000 during their degree program, up to a maximum of $500 in a fiscal year.
P.POL.1.3.f Applicants will be awarded their shortfall up to a maximum of $500; applications with total expenses amounting to less than $50 will not be eligible.
P.POL.1.4 Applications
P.POL.1.4.a Applications must be completed online through the GSA website.
P.POL.1.4.b Applicants are responsible for the completeness and accuracy of their applications.
P.POL.1.5 Procedures
P.POL.1.5.a Funds will normally be distributed as follows:
P.POL.1.5.a.i 5% of the total annual GSA ATG budget will be held back as contingency funding and
P.POL.1.5.a.ii The remaining annual budget will be divided equally amongst the four (4) granting periods noted in Section P.POL.1.3.b, above.
P.POL.1.5.a.iii If the funds have not been completely expended near the end of the fiscal year, a decision will be made by the GSA Board on the best way to expend the funds.
P.POL.1.5.b Under delegated authority from the Vice-President Student Services (VPSS), applications will be reviewed and processed by the GSA office.
P.POL.1.5.c Applicants who are ineligible or whose application is incomplete will be contacted by email to provide an opportunity to attempt to resolve the issue.
P.POL.1.5.d Questions concerning the interpretation of GSA ATG Policy will be decided upon by the VPSS.
P.POL.1.5.e Applicants will be notified by the GSA by email once processing has been completed and a decision has been made.
P.POL.1.6 Appeals
P.POL.1.6.a Any appeals of denied applications must be received by the VPSS, with a copy to the Executive Director (or delegate) within ten (10) working days from the date on which the denial of the application was issued.
P.POL.1.6.b Appeals must state the grounds for the appeal in writing.
P.POL.1.6.c Appeals will be heard based on the material submitted by the applicant and any associated response concerning the denial of the application.
P.POL.1.6.d Appeals will be heard by a Directly-Elected Officer (DEO), excluding the VPSS, and two (2) GSA Councillors or GSA Council-Elected Officers selected by the President (or other DEO if there is a conflict of interest).
P.POL.1.6.e Appeal decisions will normally be made within twenty (20) working days of the receipt of an appeal.
P.POL.1.6.f All decisions concerning appeals are final and binding.

The above is an excerpt from GSA Bylaw and Policy, Section P: GSA Grants and Bursaries, GSA Policy, GSA Grant Application Policy and Information, GSA Academic Travel Grants. The full Policy can be found in GSA Bylaw and Policy; if there are any discrepancies between the above excerpt and the most current, GSA Council-approved Policy, the Policy referred to in the above link will take precedence.

GSA Academic Travel Grant Form