Conference Travel Funding

Conference of graduate students in a purple and blue lighted dark room

GRAD Services provides limited travel funding for students who are presenting at a professional or academic conference or attending a conference for academic enrichment.

Resources

Application Period
Opens: August 25, 2026
Closes: End of Spring 2027

Students who are presenting a paper, poster or performance at a professional or academic conference may request up to $500 in funding.

Funding is limited to up to 8 students attending the same conference.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Students must be currently enrolled in a CSUN credential, master’s, or doctoral program at the time of application submission and during the semester in which academic travel is requested. Enrollment in A/R 601 is acceptable.
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA and cannot be on academic notice.
  • Students presenting at a conference may only receive funding once during the academic year.
  • Award recipients are expected to participate in the CSUNposium held in the spring semester.
    Note: This applies to Fall 2026 travel requests only.
  • CSUN employees are not eligible, except TAs and GAs.
  • California residency is not required.
  • Students enrolled in a state-supported graduate program, not administered through Tseng College, must first apply for Student Travel & Academic Research (STAR) funding from Associated Students. Covered expenses may include conference registration fees, airfare, hotel and ground transportation. Students must submit requests for STAR funding at least one month in advance to be eligible. Retroactive funding is not permitted, so students should apply as soon as possible. For information on how to apply, see the Associated Students Travel and Academic Funding section below.
Accessing the Application

To apply for funding from Graduate Studies, complete the Travel Funding for Presenters Application.

Note: Please enter your CSUN email address to access and complete the application.

Associated Students Travel and Academic Funding

The purpose of Student Travel & Academic Research (STAR) is to encourage the intellectual development of individual CSUN students, or small groups, by partially funding costs associated with scholarly work. Projects may include original research or other academic work, such as papers, posters, performance pieces and presentations at academic or professional conferences.

The following are hypothetical examples of eligible research projects.

  • Thesis research or projects
  • Film, screenwriting, play, workshop, musical work or performance projects
  • Scientific and quasi-scientific study or experiment
  • Research projects relating to one’s academic discipline

Students may receive up to $800 per student, with a maximum of $8,000 for groups of up to 10 students, for travel to academic conferences. Students must provide proof of invitation, such as a conference invitation, acceptance letter, or receipt showing they will be presenting or speaking at the conference.

AS will cover 50% of eligible travel expenses:

  • Conference fee
  • Airfare
  • Lodging
  • Ground Transportation
  • Mileage
  • Supplies

Ineligible expenses:

  • Food

STAR funding is available on a first-come, first served basis. There is not an annual application process. Currently enrolled students may submit requests for STAR funding throughout the academic year at least one month in advance. Retroactive funding is not permitted.

To apply for STAR funding from Associated Students, please visit Student Travel and Academic Research (STAR) Funding.

Application Period
Opens: August 25, 2026
Closes: End of Spring 2027

Students attending a professional or academic conference may request up to $300 in funding.

Funding is limited to up to 5 students attending the same conference.

Eligibility Requirements:
  • Students must be currently enrolled in a CSUN credential, master’s, or doctoral program at the time of application submission and during the semester in which academic travel is requested. Enrollment in A/R 601 is acceptable.
  • Students must be in good academic standing with a minimum 3.00 GPA and cannot be on academic notice.
  • Students attending a conference may only receive funding once during the academic year.
  • CSUN employees are not eligible, except TAs and GAs.
  • California residency is not required.
Accessing the Application 

To apply for funding from Graduate Studies, complete the Travel Funding for Conference Attendees Application.

Note: Please enter your CSUN email address to access and complete the application.