Gippsland Research Committee
National and International Conference Travel Grant Scheme

Call for Applications and Guidelines

The Gippsland Research Committee seeks applications for funding under its inaugural National and International Conference Travel Grant Scheme (NICTGS). The scheme provides support for academic staff to present papers at national and international research conferences. Up to $2,000 will be awarded to staff traveling overseas, while staff attending conferences in Australia (including New Zealand) will be awarded up to $1,000. 

Eligibility

Applicants must be academic staff (levels A - E) employed within Schools on the Gippsland Campus at full-time or fractional appointments (> 0.5) inclusive of the conference travel period and extending six months beyond the travel period.

Only one NICTGS award can be received in any single calendar year and all recipients must submit reports to be eligible for consideration in subsequent years.

Applications may be lodged prior to acceptance of abstracts or papers by the conference organisers. Any grants awarded will be conditional on the paper(s) being accepted for presentation and publication. Evidence must be submitted to the Gippsland Research Office.

How to Apply?

A completed and signed NICTGS application form (doc, 216kb) must be submitted to Gippsland.Research@adm.monash.edu.au by Friday 29 August 2008 for conferences to be held between 1 September 2008 and 31 December 2008. Please attach necessary documentary evidence, such as copies of letters/emails of invitation and acceptance.

Travel grants will only be awarded for high quality, well-documented proposals with strong support from schools. Proposals should demonstrate the significance of the activities to be undertaken and should outline how participation will enhance the national or international research profile of the university.

Applicants should note that the Head of School is required to certify that travel will not interfere with the functioning of the school (and where appropriate that there is no overlap with OSP funded travel), that suitable provision will be made for the teaching duties of the applicant, and that research supervision will be covered. The Head of School must also comment specifically and in detail regarding the relevance of the conference to the current research interests of the applicant and its relationship to school or campus research strengths or priorities. The Head of School must also rank all applicants from his or her school – unranked applications will automatically be given lowest priority.

Payment of Travel Grants and Advice

The Gippsland Research Office will advise recipients and Gippsland Finance & Resources (GFR) of successful applications. A Monash University Travel Diary and appropriate financial documentation – financial claim form with attached tax invoice receipts - must be provided to the Gippsland Finance and Resources office on completion of the trip.

Reports

Recipients of NICTGS funding are required to submit a Conference Travel Report (doc, 187kb) within four weeks of returning to the university, outlining the ways in which the conference attendance will enhance their research activities. All reports must be submitted to Elizabeth.Veno@adm.monash.edu.au.

Administration

The NICTGS will be administered by the Gippsland Research Committee (GRC). All communications about the Scheme should be directed to Elizabeth Veno at the Gippsland Research Office. Email: Elizabeth.Veno@adm.monash.edu.au or phone extension 26461.