Undergraduate Research
Overview
Students who are currently enrolled at Union College and who have done research at Union have the opportunity to present their results to a regional, national or international audience. Student Conference Travel Grants (SCTGs) fund up to $500 per student per year is available to offset the cost of travel, hotel, meal, and registration expenses.
**Please read through the rules below and consult with your research advisor before applying.**
Eligibility
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You must be currently enrolled at Union College and be performing research or scholarship for credit at Union College.
You must be enrolled, or plan to be enrolled, in a senior thesis or project, Scholars project, research independent study, or research practicum (usually in the third term of the practicum).
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You must be making a presentation at an academic conference and provide proof of acceptance for your presentation.
The proof of acceptance can be a copy of email received from the conference organizers indicating that your work (presentation, poster, abstract, or paper) has been accepted. It should at a minimum the name of the meeting, the title of your work, and your name as an author of the work.
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Each student requesting funds must be making a separate presentation at the conference and submit separate SCTG applications.
In the case of large, multi-student projects, it is possible for more than one student to receive funding to attend the conference. It must be clear that each student has made an equivalent contribution to the work and that all are participating in the presentation.
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Your travel must fall within the scope of a Student Conference Travel Grant.
- Terms abroad are not eligible for SCTG travel funding.
- If you traveling to perform research rather than present it, you should instead apply for a Student Research Grant.
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You must have met all of your prior obligations for funding received from the Undergraduate Research Office.
If, in the past, you received a Summer Research Fellowship from the UGR Office, but did not complete an exit survey and a final report that has been approved by your advisor, you are ineligible for SRG funding.
Funding Rules
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We are currently accepting SCTG applications to fund attendance at both in-person (up to $500) and virtual conferences (up to $200).
- In-Person Conferences: We accept applications to cover conference attendance. This can cover registration fees, travel, lodging, and meals, to a maximum of $500 per student per academic year (July 1 to June 30).
- Virtual Conferences: We accept applications to cover “virtual conference” attendance. This can cover registration fees ONLY, to a maximum of $200 per student per academic year.
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Funds are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis throughout the year.
Applications, which must included an itemized summary of expenses and proof of acceptance, may be submitted at any time, but it should be completed at least one month before any fees associated with your conference travel need to be paid, this includes registration fee deadlines.
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All travel funded by the College must follow the Travel Policy.
Please read through the College's the Travel Policy. The College pays reasonable expenses incurred for ground and/or air transportation. It is expected that students will avail themselves of the most economical and reasonable method of transportation, e.g., taking public transportation rather than taxis. At most $45 can be spent on meals per day.
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You must complete the Off-Campus Travel Application before you travel.
Work with your research advisor complete the Off-Campus Travel Application before you travel and ensure that you comply with Union College’s “Policy for Traveling Off-Campus with Students“.
Accessing your Funds and Documenting your Expenses
Your award letter from the UGR Office will contain instructions for how spend your funds and report those expenses. See the Undergraduate Research Award Guidelines for general guidance.