UROC Travel Grant

(Pre-Approval)


Students participating in one of UROC's Programs are eligible for funding to attend research conferences or visit potential graduate universities. Travel Grants are awarded on a competitive basis to students who have had a research-related abstract, paper, or project accepted for an oral or poster presentation at a regional, national, or international conference or have been invited for a visit from a potential graduate school mentor.

UROC scholars must be enrolled full-time at UC Merced during the time of travel. Travel grant funding is not guaranteed unless it is otherwise stated in your original UROC fellowship acceptance letter.
 

UROC travel grants will only be approved for the following activities:

  • Professional conference in your discipline (preference given to those presenting their research)

  • Professional conference promoting diversity in graduate education or professional advancement

  • Visit to a university campus to meet with a potential faculty mentor for graduate school (must have evidence of faculty invitation and receive prior approval from program coordinator)


A UROC travel grant cannot be used to cover the cost of gas, prepaid packaged trips, membership fees, alcohol, other travelers’ expenses, or any other purchases not previously approved by your UROC Coordinator for reimbursement.

 

Reimbursement vs. UROC Pre-Purchase

Due to UCM Travel policy most Travel Grants are reimbursement grants, meaning the student will have to cover the upfront cost of travel and then request reimbursement. Only a few items/situations of travel costs are eligible for pre-purchase by UROC (group travel lodging, airfare, and sometimes conference registration). 
All others costs are ONLY available for REIMBURSEMENT after travel is completed. If you receive Grant Pre-Approval from your UROC Coordinator, UROC will send you a travel reimbursement form for you to turn in within 7 days after your travel. 

UROC will coordinate all Group Travel when 2 or more UROC scholars will travel to the same conference to save on the cost of lodging and travel.

Please have the following documents/information ready to submit:

  • Acceptance of Research Presentation from Conference or Meeting

  • Faculty Mentor Permission/Approval

  • California/State Divers License or ID

  • Conference information and Estimated Travel Costs:

    • Registration Information (include registration website and all your information needed/requested for registration)

    • Conference Agenda (must include meals covered in registration)

    • Airfare - Top 3 Preferred (include the flight numbers)

    • Estimated mileage (to and from airport; to and from conference if driving) - attach google map (showing mileage) with departure and return destination from/to UC Merced

 

Please attach all required documentation when submitting a UROC travel request form. UROC will not process incomplete travel request forms.

Review all the info on the UROC Travel page prior to submitting your request.