Last Update: January 3, 2024
The Bureau of Educational Research manages Conference Support Award Program, with generous support of an endowment from Charles Dunn Hardie, which allows the College of Education to offer the Conference Participation Support Award to faculty. Conference Participation Support Awards are also offered to students, using other funding sources. These awards support College of Education research activity by reimbursing conference expenses for faculty and students presenting their work at major research conferences in their field. Deadlines are set throughout the academic year.
Both in-person and virtual conference participation will be considered for Spring 2024 Conference Participation Support Awards.
The Spring 2024 application submission window is January 3, 2024 thru February 15, 2024, 11:59 PM. A letter of acceptance for conference participation is not required for application, but it is required when submitting for reimbursement.
Spring 2024 Awards must be used for conferences with start dates between January 15, 2024 and August 31, 2024.
If you plan to attend a conference after August 31, 2024, please wait until the Fall 2024 competition to apply.
Priority will be given to applicants attending the major research conferences recognized in their fields.
Specify in your statement how attending this conference will be beneficial to your research and professional development.
Complete the Spring 2024 Conference Support Application using the online form here. You can save and edit the application until you submit or until February 15, 2024, 11:59 pm, whichever comes first. Select “Complete” at the end of the application to submit your application electronically. You do not need to print the completed application.
Complete the Notification of Travel Form and submit form to the Department Head of your academic unit to share information about your travel plans.
Please use "filler" CFOP account number, 1-111111-418000-11111, to complete Step 6 of this form, as follows:
Prior to Travel: Set up Chrome River System.
1. Establish Chrome River Access: Check that you have access to Chrome River by visiting www.obfs.uillinois.edu, clicking on the drop-down menu in the top right corner of the screen and picking Chrome River. Use your University Net ID and Password to log in. If it does not let you in and asks for a “corporate” log in, please send an email to finance@education.llinois.edu with “Chrome River Access Request” in the subject line of the email.
2. Appoint Chrome River Delegates: After your access has been granted, you should appoint the following members of the College of Education Finance Team as your delegates. Net IDs to appoint Finance Team members Paul Deckard, Adam Wright, Erin Farrar: pdeckard, awrig3, efarrar2. University system instructions, “Delegate in Chrome River” (https://answers.uillinois.edu/training/page.php?id=115104), explain the delegate function and needed actions.
After Travel Occurs, Submit Documents using the College Travel Reimbursement Form.
1. Submit Documentation within 60 Days of Travel. Awardees requesting reimbursement will need to submit documentation for reimbursement up to their awarded amount within 60 days after travel occurs; consult Finance with questions.
Complete a College of Education Travel Reimbursement Form (https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/1190405928)
Attach these items to the form:
2. Lodging, Per Diem (a daily travel meal allowance that includes taxes and tips), and Car Rental are reimbursed according to current University guidelines. (The University calculates reimbursable meal costs based on travel time and duration. Precise travel times must be reported; conference meal receipts are not required.)
Reimbursement Limits:
• For in-person conferences: Funds cover travel to in-person conferences, up to the maximum of $500 for students and $1,000 for faculty members.
• For virtual conferences: For virtual conference registration, funds cover up to the maximum of $250 for students and faculty members.
• If the total costs submitted and documented are less than the awarded amount, you will be reimbursed the lesser amount.
For questions about the travel forms, or about the reimbursement process, please email finance@education.illinois.edu.
Reimbursement funds are processed through the university accounting system and applied to student and faculty accounts. You will not receive a check but a credit to your account.
Can I submit a group application for a co-authored application?
No, only individual applications will be considered.
Can only Ph.D. students apply?
No, all graduate students and faculty in the College of Education are eligible to apply if they are presenting at a major conference in their field.
Can I receive the award before the conference?
No, award recipients will not be provided with a cash advance. Award recipients can submit receipts after the conference. Reimbursable expenses include conference registration fees according to University guidelines.
If I am a part-time student, can I still apply for the award?
Yes, all enrolled students regardless of the number of credits they are enrolled in are eligible to apply if they are presenting at a major conference in their field.
I was accepted to participate in a poster presentation, can I apply for the award?
Yes. All faculty and students who submit a proposal and are accepted to present in one of the following are eligible to apply: poster presentation, oral presentation, and/or panel. Students and faculty who are participating in conferences as volunteers, discussants, and/or moderators are not eligible to apply as those roles may not require submission of work product.
Will priority be given to faculty?
No, priority will not be given to either faculty or students. All applications will be reviewed according to the same criteria.
What if I am not attending a major conference in my discipline?
Applicants who are not attending a major conference in their respective fields, must provide evidence for needing support to attend an out of field conference.
How many words is the written statement?
The statement should be a maximum of 250 words.
What criteria are going to be used for selecting recipients?
Applications are going to be reviewed for the need and expected benefit from participating in the conference, the impact level of conference, and the nature of the participation opportunity.
What if I submit an application after the suggested appropriate deadline date?
Do not delay submitting your application. If you anticipate presenting at a conference, apply during the appropriate term to receive full consideration.
Do I need to receive the Conference Support Participation Award before registering for the conference?
No, the award is a reimbursement for conference expenses and would not provide you with funds in advance of registration.
When do I need to submit my receipts?
Submit your receipts, letter of conference submission acceptance, and completed Travel Reimbursement form within 60 days of your completed travel date.
Do I need to include my letter of conference submission acceptance with my application?
No, we realize that in meeting our deadlines you may not have received the official notice from the conference organizers. If you have submitted to a conference but not yet received acceptance you are encouraged to apply by the appropriate deadline. The letter of acceptance will need to be included when submitting your receipts for reimbursement.
How will I be notified of the award decision?
Decisions will be sent to University email accounts only. Department heads will also receive notice of award decisions.
Please contact the Bureau of Educational Research (BER) at ber@education.illinois.edu with questions regarding for this funding opportunity.
Reimbursements fulfilling these awards are administered by Finance (finance@education.illinois.edu).