Graduate Student Travel/Research Bursary

Graduate Studies provides funds to assist students in financial need who require assistance to present their research. The fund may cover a portion of the cost related to travel to attend a scholarly conference/seminar/workshop at which the graduate student is presenting a paper, poster, or participating in a panel discussion.

This fund is intended to cover modest costs where other sources of support are not available. Costs not covered under this bursary include: costs associated with interview subjects, honoraria, and attendance at scholarly conferences where no paper or poster is being presented or other academic invited activity (e.g., panel discussion). The bursary account contains a limited amount of funds. Approval of each application is dependent on the availability of funds. It is not possible to fund all applications in any given term.

Applications are considered on a case-by-case and first-come-first served basis. Students are restricted to one application and one conference per academic year/cycle (May-April). However, if funds are available, a second application may be considered within the same year/cycle.

Internal award information, including Graduate Student Travel/Research Bursary information can be found here.

Deadline for Applications

Electronic application forms must be submitted to your department at least one month in advance of the expected travel activity. To apply, go to Carleton Central, look under Awards and Financial Assistance and then click Graduate Online Application Forms.  Retroactive applications will not be approved.

Registration Requirement and Eligibility

Students requesting funds for travel must be registered full-time in the term in which the bursary is approved and the travel occurs. Students on extension are not eligible for funding. Travel and event attendance must be directly related to your thesis, major research project or research essay.

If the travel is not completed for any reason, the amount of the bursary must be reimbursed in full.

Application Requirements

The following constitutes a complete application:

• The following constitutes a complete application:
• Completed Graduate Student Travel / Research Bursary online application form (To apply, go to Carleton Central, look under Awards and Financial Assistance and then click on Graduate Online Application Forms;
• Students must submit an application for the term the travel is taking place. Please ensure you select the appropriate term from the drop down menu;
• A complete budget and rationale for requiring the bursary;
• Official confirmation from the conference organizer that the student’s paper has been accepted for presentation/poster or participating on a panel discussion if the bursary is to assist with the costs associated with presenting at an academic conference/event; and
• A letter of support from the student’s thesis supervisor (uploaded at the time of submission) along with any other document that supports the application.
• Government of Canada Travel Advisories:

All supporting documentation must be combined into one PDF and submitted together as one supporting letter package. 

Application Process

Please apply online through Carleton Central. Look under “Awards & Financial Assistance.” Then, select “Graduate Online Application Forms.”

Carleton University recommends students register in the CU-Travel Registry when completing university-related travel outside Canada. Students may also want to consider enrolling in International SOS services.