Travel awards for women in Science (students through professors)

The Association of Women in Science (AWIS) has announced the 2012 AWIS Educational Awards to support travel for professional development, broadly defined. We particularly wish to encourage early-career scientists. Individuals may request funding to attend a conference, to acquire specialized training, or to pursue professional development in other ways that take them from home.

Due date: All materials, including the Letter of Recommendation, must be submitted by December 31, 2011 for awards that will be available in March of 2012. Recipients will be notified via e-mail by February 28, 2012. (Please note: there will be a second awards cycle in 2012, so check back to this page at a later date for the next due date and details on how you can apply.)

Award amount: Awards are $1,000 to $3,000. The maximum to be awarded is $3,000.

Allowable expenses: Registration (tuition), transportation (e.g. economy airfare), housing, per diem for meals and incidental expenses, or dependent care can be included in the proposed budget. Expenses for conducting research while traveling are not allowable.

Eligibility: Any woman who works in a STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and who has earned at least a bachelor's degree is eligible to apply.

Individuals may be graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, employed scientists and engineers, or those seeking employment or to return to school.

Application Process: The application includes a web-based Application Form, a 2-page Applicant's Statement, a Transcript, and a Letter of Recommendation. Click here to begin the process.

Evaluation Process: The AWIS Educational Awards Committee evaluates all applications and makes recommendations to the AWIS Board. The AWIS Board selects award recipients. Criteria include several categories of information relevant to the progress of a scientific career and to issues that have presented barriers for women in STEM. Please see the application process page and the application found on that page to better understand the information used in the evaluation.

Applicants must apply online and will be required to provide:
o Web-based application
o 1-2 page narrative describing:
o nature of the travel
o relation of travel to the applicant's career goals
o Transcript documenting current program or most recently earned degree
o Letter of recommendation from a STEM professional who can comment on your plan for professional development

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