OUR Travel Award Program
Share your research around the world by applying for a travel award
Applications are open for the 2024-25 academic year!
Applications are submitted via the electronic OUR Travel Award application. Applicants will attach all documents (saved as individual .pdf files) to their application. Students should gather all necessary documents before beginning the application process, as incomplete applications cannot be reviewed.
Students and their faculty mentors must review the UWF Travel page and complete any required steps for their intended travel.
The following items are needed for a complete application:
- Summary of role in the conference (uploaded as a pdf file). This could be an abstract of the presentation, a description of the competition, etc. Copy of acceptance letter to conference (uploaded as pdf; this is required at time of application)
- Completed budget table (filled out within online application) and budget narrative (one-page minimum, uploaded as pdf)
- Acknowledge and abide by the OUR Travel Award commitments outlined in the application.
- Faculty mentor acknowledges and abides by the outline of OUR Travel Award commitments.
Applications must be submitted at least 45 days before travel. Please complete one application per individual student traveler. Group applications will no longer be accepted.
Additional Resources:
- OUR Travel Award Policies and Guidelines
- Budget Section Writing Guide for an OUR Travel Award Application with Example
- Use the Travel Award Application Guide to review how to apply through the OUR Application Portal.
Awards are intended to support undergraduates presenting at in-person and virtual professional conferences.
Award recipients must be enrolled as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student in good standing with the University of West Florida.
NOTE: Due to the recent changes to the travel policy at UWF, because of the coronavirus, this site may be updated with changes to the UWF travel policies.
OUR will fund a maximum of one OUR Travel Award per student annually. Applications from additional co-authors on a presentation may be considered as funds allow; priority will be given to co-authors who engage in cost-saving practices (i.e., room sharing, carpooling, self-funded meals, etc.).
Students can apply for up to $ 1,000 to cover allowable expenses. If the cost of travel exceeds the student's award for a conference, the traveler must secure additional funding or pay for the remaining costs out of pocket. Any additional funding sources should be indicated and accounted for in the budget narrative and the requested amount.
Students are strongly encouraged to apply for other scholarships, including UWF internal grants. Visit the Student Affairs, Resources, and Funding section for a list of commonly awarded travel award opportunities for UWF students. Also, remember that your department or college may have additional funding sources and scholarships, so reach out to your academic advisor or department leadership.
Deadlines*: Applications can be submitted throughout each academic year's fall and spring semesters. Applications for summer travel should be submitted before the end of the spring semester. Applications must be submitted at least 45 days before travel.
Notification of Awards: The Office of Undergraduate Research will review student applications twice per month (1st and 16 of each month). Applications must be complete by the start of business on the 1st, or they will not be reviewed until the 16 of the month. Applicants will receive a notification letter regardless of acceptance or denial. Award and denial letters will be emailed each month on approximately the 8th and 23rd.
Please use the following guidelines to determine whether or not the conference/event is a “professional conference.” If the conference/event does not meet this criterion but is still a “professional” conference, please contact our@uwf.edu.
1. The conference is sponsored by a professional organization or academic institution
2. Format for student participant’s presentation is similar to a professional participant’s presentation
3. Confirmation or acceptance of presentation/abstract is required to present at the conference
Per the OUR Travel funding agreement, students will acknowledge OUR within your presentation. Here are the OUR Logos to use:
Per the award agreement, OUR Travel Award recipients are required to complete a Post Travel Report within 10 business days after travel.
To access this report, please log onto MyUWF and search for OUR Program Applications.
Once logged in, click on “My Applications” in the upper-left toolbar and select your OUR Travel Award application for the current academic year. The Student Post Travel Report will appear as a new section of that application.
*Please note: the Student Post Travel Report will only be visible after you have formally “accepted” the award.
Additional Resources:
- If you have received on OUR Travel Award, visit the OUR Travel Award Recipients site for helpful information and tools as you book your travel, utilize award funds, and prepare for your conference.
