Overview

The Graduate College and Graduate Student Association offer a limited number of Teck-Kah Lim Graduate Student Domestic Travel Subsidy Awards annually to encourage graduate student presentation at academic meetings and conferences held within the United States and territories (including Puerto Rico)* and/or for virtual presentation. These opportunities not only strengthen the academic and professional skills of our student presenters, preparing them to be leaders in their fields, but also increase the awareness of the exceptional graduate student research happening at Drexel.

*Students intending to attend international meetings and conferences should apply for the Global Engagement Funding Award offered by the Office of Global Engagement.

The Teck-Kah Lim Graduate Student Domestic Travel Subsidy Award, which was created in 2016, is funded in part by a generous donation from Teck-Kah Lim, PhD, former Associate Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Professor Emeritus in the Department of Physics, to provide more opportunities for graduate students to travel to present at meetings and conferences, often when they have little or no other support to do so, and to further advance Drexel's research enterprise. The subsidy award also provides an opportunity for graduate students to develop important presentation, networking, and professional development skills. Many go on to win conference awards and accolades!

We also welcome applications from students invited to present virtually, such as if there are applicable registration fees.

To donate to this fund, please visit the fund's giving page.

Download the Program Flyer [PDF]

Eligibility

To be eligible, a graduate student must be fully matriculated/enrolled in a doctoral or master’s degree program at Drexel, including online, at the time of application and of presentation, in good academic standing, and invited to present an oral or research poster presentation at a meeting or conference in the United States or territories.

Unfortunately, accelerated degree (BS/MS) students who are not fully converted to graduate student status (GR) and semester program students* are not eligible for this subsidy award.

*Students studying in the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies in the College of Medicine are encouraged to apply for the Dean's Graduate Student Travel Award.

Students must submit a completed application via the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady), linked below, with all required materials are due at least three weeks before the first day of travel or the first day of the meeting or conference, whichever comes first.

Students are eligible for up to two subsidy award per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).

A maximum of five awards will be given out for the same meeting or conference. Additional awards may be given out at the discretion of the review committee.

Virtual presentations are eligible for a maximum of $400 toward registration fees.

In-person presentations, including oral and research poster presentations, are eligible for a maximum of $800.

Application & Review Process

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions will be rendered ASAP prior to the start of travel or the first day of the meeting or conference. If the subsidy award is essential to your decision to travel or participate in the meeting or conference, please let us know in your application so we can render a decision ASAP.

Applications will be considered with the following criteria in mind:

• Reasonable estimated travel expenses (economy), including consideration for where the student is traveling from and to
• Complete, accurate, and well-written materials, including quality of abstract and personal statement, such that it is clear, concise, and compelling
• The type of meeting or conference and the type of presentation (e.g. oral vs. poster presentation, the significance and/or impact of exposure such that it will elevate Drexel’s reputation and research enterprise)
• The importance or potential impact of participating (e.g. early stage vs. late stage, what the student will learn or gain from the experience, how the student will have an impact on other attendees, the field, the greater community, level of exposure to Drexel's research enterprise)
• Other available sources of funding to support the student

The following applications will NOT be considered:

• A late or incomplete application
• An application with an unrealistic and/or unnecessary budget

Application Instructions

Students must submit a completed application via the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady), linked below, with all required materials are due at least three weeks before the first day of travel or the first day of the meeting or conference, whichever comes first.

Awardees must also follow all COVID-19 Essential Travel Guidance for University-related travel.

Please review Drexel's Business Travel Guidelines for a list of allowable expenses without any restrictions. Please contact the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu if you have any questions regarding allowable expenses for this subsidy award.

To apply, please complete the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady) application linked below which asks for the graduate student applicant's information, meeting or conference dates, location, and presentation details, estimated expenses, total amount requested, any other requested, anticipated, or confirmed sources of funding, etc. Please have this information ready prior to beginning an application. Again, please refer to Drexel's Business Travel Guidelines for a list of allowable expenses.

In addition, you must upload all of the following REQUIRED supplemental materials as a PDF:

1. Abstract (150-250 words and no longer than one-page in length)
2. Personal statement explaining the relevance and importance of participating in the meeting or conference, format of the presentation, who will be in attendance, level of exposure for you, your department, Drexel, potential for networking, professional and career development, etc. (Maximum one page, please be at detailed as possible)
3. Statement of support from a faculty member you work closely with, including justification for attendance, potential impact, and confirmation of any other sources of funding available, pending or confirmed, for this meeting or conference or in the department/college/school in general. (May be in the form of an email, Word doc, etc.)
4. Proof of acceptance/invitation to present or confirmation of presentation at the meeting or conference (Copy of the email, webpage, etc. is appropriate, with as many details as possible)
5. Resume or CV

Here are two example of personal statements: Sample #1 [PDF], Sample #2 [PDF]

Incomplete or ineligible applications will be returned or rejected. If you have any questions, please contact graduatecollege@drexel.edu prior to submitting an application.

Please note that this application is only for travel between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

Submit an Application [Drexel Funding Portal]

Additional Considerations

In return for supporting recipients to present at their field-specific conference or meeting, the Graduate College and GSA ask that all subsidy award recipients sign up to present at a future Scholars Share program to share their research and experience with the graduate community at Drexel. Please note that not all recipients will be selected to present at Scholars Share.

Subsidy award recipients will also be required to complete a post-meeting/conference survey within two weeks of the last day of the meeting or conference as part of the reimbursement process outlined below.

For Subsidy Award Recipients ONLY: Reimbursement Process

Subsidy awards are processed AFTER successful completion of travel and/or presentation through the University's reimbursement request process outlined below. This is not negotiable.

First, follow the instructions below to complete the Check Request Form [PDF]:

Section 1: Payee Information

1. Enter the payee name and complete mailing address exactly as it is to appear on the check. For payments to individuals, a permanent home address is required.
2. Attach the original invoice or other original documentation that substantiates the payment for audit purposes.
3. Employee and student payees must provide their University ID number (8 digits). Do not use your Social Security Number (SSN).
4. If the payee is an individual, indicate the citizenship status and whether the payee is an employee of Drexel University. Questions regarding payments to Non-resident Alien individuals should be directed to the Tax Department at taxoffice@drexel.edu or (215) 895-6880.

Section 2: Justification & Delivery

1. Enter for the reason for expenditure ("Reimbursement for Travel Subsidy Award")
2. To facilitate timely payment, checks will be mailed directly to payees. "US Mail" is the default distribution method or direct deposit, if applicable. A Request to Mail with Enclosures must be accompanied by the original documents to be mailed to the payee AND copies of the documents for audit purposes.
3. Pick-ups are for emergencies by arrangement only.

Section 3 & 4: Funding Source & Approvals

Please leave these sections BLANK. They are for official use only.

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Next, in addition to a completed Check Request Form [PDF] outlined above, you must submit all of the following documentation in a single PDF to the Graduate College via gradawards@drexel.edu within two weeks of the last day of travel:

1. Subsidy Award Email Notification: Please provide or forward a copy of your award notification email from the Drexel Funding Portal (InfoReady) confirming the award amount. You may forward it and attached the following items.
2. All Relevant Original or Digital Receipts/Invoices*: Please ask for separate and itemized receipts whenever possible. Please write-in any added tips and totals, if applicable. Small printed and original receipts can be scanned and sent in a digital format. Digital or emailed receipts or invoices should also be included. Please redact any personal information which is not necessary for the purposes of this reimbursement request.
3. Bank or Credit Card Statement(s): Can be downloaded from your online bank or credit cards account(s) and must include ALL transactions requested for reimbursement. Please redact all account numbers, balances, and other personal information which is not necessary for the purposes of this reimbursement request.

*Please review Drexel's Business Travel Guidelines for a list of allowable expenses without any restrictions. Please refer to the Business Mileage Reimbursement Policy for requested reimbursement for personal vehicle mileage. Please submit a digital map for proof of mileage, such as from Google Maps, including the taken route to and from each destination and mileage totals for each. The University does not reimburse for gasoline. Meals should not exceed $60 per day for a maximum of two days ($120) and no more than 20 percent tip, if applicable. Further, alcoholic beverages are not eligible for reimbursement for the purposes of this subsidy award. Please purchase separately. Please contact the Graduate College at gradawards@drexel.edu if you have any questions regarding allowable expenses for this subsidy award.

And finally, please complete the post-meeting/conference survey [Qualtrics] summarizing your experience and including any presentation photos or headshots. Please also mention any awards, honors, highlights, impact, accomplishments, etc. Also, be sure to sign up to present at a future Scholars Share program to share your work and meeting or conference experience with the graduate community at Drexel! Please note that not all recipients will be selected to present at Scholars Share.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at gradawards@drexel.edu.