{"id":84,"date":"2019-02-22T12:29:33","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T17:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/postdocs\/?page_id=84"},"modified":"2026-03-10T20:49:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T00:49:24","slug":"travel-awards","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/postdocs\/services\/travel-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Development &#038; Travel Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Postdoctoral Affairs, a function of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/gps\/\">Graduate &amp; Postdoctoral Success<\/a>, has offered travel awards for BU postdocs to pursue opportunities for their professional development. This may include traveling to opportunities external to campus (e.g. presenting at a conference), or registration fees associated with virtual events.<strong><em> NOTE: while we will accept applications through May 15, the travel awards listed above will be suspended afterwards until further notice while we evaluate the future of the program.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Selection Criteria<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Applications are open to any individual with a current postdoc appointment at Boston University. Scholars may only receive one award during the duration of their postdoc.<\/p>\n<p>There are two kinds of travel awards based on the availability of funding.<\/p>\n<p><span> 1. <strong>Postdoctoral Affairs Travel Award,<\/strong> which is entirely based on financial need, where the postdoc would be attending the conference solely with their personal funds. There will be 2 awards of $500 each for every cycle in this category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span> 2. <strong>BU Postdoc Travel Award<\/strong>, this award is for those postdocs who have some financial support either from their PI or administrative units or other sources. There will be one award of $1000 for every cycle in this category.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Applications are reviewed by faculty from a broad range of disciplines, so please ensure that you are able to communicate to a broad audience<\/strong>. Both travel grant applications will be evaluated using the following selection criteria:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Value of the professional development opportunity as described in application and\/or letter of support.<\/li>\n<li>Merit of research demonstrated by research abstract, or strength of connection between professional development opportunity and candidate&#8217;s research as described in course\/workshop description.<\/li>\n<li>Merit of the individual&#8217;s research background and scholarly activities as described on their CV\/resume.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Submission Deadlines and Award Dates<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Please note that while we will accept applications through May 15, the travel awards listed above will be suspended until further notice while we evaluate the future of the program.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The deadlines for cycles to date are:<\/p>\n<table cellpadding=\"5\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Submission Deadline<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Award Issue Date<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>October 24, 2025<br \/>\n(typically Mid-September)<\/td>\n<td>Early November<br \/>\n(typically Early-October)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>January\u00a0 16, 2026<\/td>\n<td>Early February<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>May 15, 2026<\/td>\n<td>Early June<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>Electronic submission is required using the form below. PI letters of support can be sent separately to <a href=\"mailto:postdocs@bu.edu\">postdocs@bu.edu<\/a>, but must be received by the award cycle deadline. <em>Applications without a letter of support will not be considered for funding.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\">var gform;gform||(document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",function(){gform.scriptsLoaded=!0}),window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){gform.domLoaded=!0}),gform={domLoaded:!1,scriptsLoaded:!1,initializeOnLoaded:function(o){gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?o():!gform.domLoaded&&gform.scriptsLoaded?window.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",o):document.addEventListener(\"gform_main_scripts_loaded\",o)},hooks:{action:{},filter:{}},addAction:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(\"action\",o,n,r,t)},addFilter:function(o,n,r,t){gform.addHook(\"filter\",o,n,r,t)},doAction:function(o){gform.doHook(\"action\",o,arguments)},applyFilters:function(o){return gform.doHook(\"filter\",o,arguments)},removeAction:function(o,n){gform.removeHook(\"action\",o,n)},removeFilter:function(o,n,r){gform.removeHook(\"filter\",o,n,r)},addHook:function(o,n,r,t,i){null==gform.hooks[o][n]&&(gform.hooks[o][n]=[]);var e=gform.hooks[o][n];null==i&&(i=n+\"_\"+e.length),gform.hooks[o][n].push({tag:i,callable:r,priority:t=null==t?10:t})},doHook:function(n,o,r){var t;if(r=Array.prototype.slice.call(r,1),null!=gform.hooks[n][o]&&((o=gform.hooks[n][o]).sort(function(o,n){return o.priority-n.priority}),o.forEach(function(o){\"function\"!=typeof(t=o.callable)&&(t=window[t]),\"action\"==n?t.apply(null,r):r[0]=t.apply(null,r)})),\"filter\"==n)return r[0]},removeHook:function(o,n,t,i){var r;null!=gform.hooks[o][n]&&(r=(r=gform.hooks[o][n]).filter(function(o,n,r){return!!(null!=i&&i!=o.tag||null!=t&&t!=o.priority)}),gform.hooks[o][n]=r)}});<\/script>\n                <div class='gf_browser_gecko gform_wrapper gform_legacy_markup_wrapper gform-theme--no-framework' data-form-theme='legacy' data-form-index='0' id='gform_wrapper_3' >\n                        <div class='gform_heading'>\n                            <h3 class=\"gform_title\">Postdoc Travel Award Application<\/h3>\n                            <p class='gform_description'><\/p>\n                        <\/div><form method='post' enctype='multipart\/form-data'  id='gform_3'  action='\/postdocs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/84' data-formid='3' novalidate>\n                        <div class='gform-body gform_body'><ul id='gform_fields_3' class='gform_fields top_label form_sublabel_below description_below'><li id=\"field_3_1\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_1\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_1' >Name<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_1' id='input_3_1' type='text' value='' class='large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_1\"   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_1'>Who are you?<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_12\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_12\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_12' >Email<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_12' id='input_3_12' type='text' value='' class='medium'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_12\"   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_12'>What is your BU email?<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_2\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_2\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_2' >School \/ College<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_2' id='input_3_2' type='text' value='' class='medium'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_2\"    aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_2'>Where do you work?<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_3\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_3\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_3' >Department \/ Research Center or Institute<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_3' id='input_3_3' type='text' value='' class='large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_3\"   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_3'>Where do you work?<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_7\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_7\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_7' >PI<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_7' id='input_3_7' type='text' value='' class='large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_7\"   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_7'>Name of your research mentor<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_4\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_4\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_4' >Type of Opportunity<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_4' id='input_3_4' type='text' value='' class='large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_4\"   aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_4'>Is this a conference, meeting or a professional development course or training etc?<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_20\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-radio gfield--type-choice gfield--width-full gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_20\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label'  >Which one of the travel awards are you applying for?<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_radio'><ul class='gfield_radio' id='input_3_20'>\n\t\t\t<li class='gchoice gchoice_3_20_0'>\n\t\t\t\t<input name='input_20' type='radio' value='PDPA Travel Award' checked='checked' id='choice_3_20_0'    \/>\n\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_3_20_0' id='label_3_20_0' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>PDPA Travel Award<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<li class='gchoice gchoice_3_20_1'>\n\t\t\t\t<input name='input_20' type='radio' value='BU Postdoc Travel Award'  id='choice_3_20_1'    \/>\n\t\t\t\t<label for='choice_3_20_1' id='label_3_20_1' class='gform-field-label gform-field-label--type-inline'>BU Postdoc Travel Award<\/label>\n\t\t\t<\/li><\/ul><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_20'>There are two kinds of travel awards. \n1. PDPA Travel Award, which is entirely based on financial need, where the postdoc would be attending the conference solely with their personal funds. There will be 2 awards of $500 each for every cycle in this category.\n2. BU Postdoc Travel Award, this award is for those postdocs who have some financial support either from their PI or administrative units or other sources. There will be one award of $1000 for every cycle in this category.<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_5\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-text gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_5\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_5' >Title of Abstract \/ Presentation \/ Course<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_text'><input name='input_5' id='input_3_5' type='text' value='' class='large'     aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   \/> <\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_6\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_6\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_6' >Abstract - proposed or submitted<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_6' id='input_3_6' class='textarea large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_6\" maxlength='5000'  aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_6'>Short summary of your research and findings that can be understood by a broad audience.<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_11\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-textarea gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_11\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_11' >Value of the professional development opportunity<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_textarea'><textarea name='input_11' id='input_3_11' class='textarea large'  aria-describedby=\"gfield_description_3_11\" maxlength='3000'  aria-required=\"true\" aria-invalid=\"false\"   rows='10' cols='50'><\/textarea><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_11'>Describe why you want to take part in this opportunity and how attending will help you meet your professional development goals.<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_8\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-fileupload gfield_contains_required field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_8\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_8' >CV<span class=\"gfield_required\"><span class=\"gfield_required gfield_required_asterisk\">*<\/span><\/span><\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_fileupload'><input type='hidden' name='MAX_FILE_SIZE' value='104857600' \/><input name='input_8' id='input_3_8' type='file' class='medium' aria-describedby=\"gfield_upload_rules_3_8 gfield_description_3_8\" onchange='javascript:gformValidateFileSize( this, 104857600 );'  \/><span class='gfield_description gform_fileupload_rules' id='gfield_upload_rules_3_8'>Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.<\/span><div class='gfield_description validation_message gfield_validation_message validation_message--hidden-on-empty' id='live_validation_message_3_8'><\/div><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_8'>Upload a copy of your CV in PDF format.<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_9\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-fileupload field_sublabel_below gfield--has-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_9\"><label class='gfield_label gform-field-label' for='input_3_9' >Letter of support<\/label><div class='ginput_container ginput_container_fileupload'><input type='hidden' name='MAX_FILE_SIZE' value='104857600' \/><input name='input_9' id='input_3_9' type='file' class='medium' aria-describedby=\"gfield_upload_rules_3_9 gfield_description_3_9\" onchange='javascript:gformValidateFileSize( this, 104857600 );'  \/><span class='gfield_description gform_fileupload_rules' id='gfield_upload_rules_3_9'>Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 100 MB.<\/span><div class='gfield_description validation_message gfield_validation_message validation_message--hidden-on-empty' id='live_validation_message_3_9'><\/div><\/div><div class='gfield_description' id='gfield_description_3_9'>Upload letter from your research mentor in PDF format. Letter must describe value of the professional development opportunity, scholar's merit, and whether or not there is a need for financial support. If you are not uploading a letter here, please inform postdocs@bu.edu about it, with the name of the faculty member who would be sending the letter. Support letters should be submitted by the deadline of each travel award cycle.<\/div><\/li><li id=\"field_3_21\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-section gsection bu_google_recaptcha_section field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_21\"><h2 class=\"gsection_title\"><\/h2><\/li><li id=\"field_3_22\"  class=\"gfield gfield--type-html bu_google_recaptcha gfield_html gfield_html_formatted gfield_no_follows_desc field_sublabel_below gfield--no-description field_description_below gfield_visibility_visible\"  data-js-reload=\"field_3_22\"><div class=\"g-recaptcha\" data-sitekey=\"6LeGxkEjAAAAAK4nzHZn3a_6jB2ELSN935WrVBfC\"><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n        <div class='gform_footer top_label'> <input type='submit' id='gform_submit_button_3' class='gform_button button' value='Submit'  onclick='if(window[\"gf_submitting_3\"]){return false;}  if( !jQuery(\"#gform_3\")[0].checkValidity || jQuery(\"#gform_3\")[0].checkValidity()){window[\"gf_submitting_3\"]=true;}  ' onkeypress='if( event.keyCode == 13 ){ if(window[\"gf_submitting_3\"]){return false;} if( !jQuery(\"#gform_3\")[0].checkValidity || jQuery(\"#gform_3\")[0].checkValidity()){window[\"gf_submitting_3\"]=true;}  jQuery(\"#gform_3\").trigger(\"submit\",[true]); }' \/> \n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='is_submit_3' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_submit' value='3' \/>\n            \n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_unique_id' value='' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='state_3' value='WyJ7XCIyMFwiOltcIjk0ZTk0Yjk0OGQ4ZDkwZDUyMTQwMWI0OGM1ZDZmZWUyXCIsXCIwODk0OTBjODEyNjQzOGIyYmU3MmUxZGZjOTNiNmZmMFwiXX0iLCJjNjZiMGFlY2E3ZGJiY2EzNTAxMWY4NTE2MzUyN2ViZCJd' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_target_page_number_3' id='gform_target_page_number_3' value='0' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' class='gform_hidden' name='gform_source_page_number_3' id='gform_source_page_number_3' value='1' \/>\n            <input type='hidden' name='gform_field_values' value='' \/>\n            \n        <\/div>\n                        <\/form>\n                        <\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\ngform.initializeOnLoaded( function() {gformInitSpinner( 3, 'https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/postdocs\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery('#gform_ajax_frame_3').on('load',function(){var contents = jQuery(this).contents().find('*').html();var is_postback = contents.indexOf('GF_AJAX_POSTBACK') >= 0;if(!is_postback){return;}var form_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_wrapper_3');var is_confirmation = jQuery(this).contents().find('#gform_confirmation_wrapper_3').length > 0;var is_redirect = contents.indexOf('gformRedirect(){') >= 0;var is_form = form_content.length > 0 && ! is_redirect && ! is_confirmation;var mt = parseInt(jQuery('html').css('margin-top'), 10) + parseInt(jQuery('body').css('margin-top'), 10) + 100;if(is_form){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_3').html(form_content.html());if(form_content.hasClass('gform_validation_error')){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_3').addClass('gform_validation_error');} else {jQuery('#gform_wrapper_3').removeClass('gform_validation_error');}setTimeout( function() { \/* delay the scroll by 50 milliseconds to fix a bug in chrome *\/  }, 50 );if(window['gformInitDatepicker']) {gformInitDatepicker();}if(window['gformInitPriceFields']) {gformInitPriceFields();}var current_page = jQuery('#gform_source_page_number_3').val();gformInitSpinner( 3, 'https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/postdocs\/wp-content\/plugins\/gravityforms\/images\/spinner.svg', true );jQuery(document).trigger('gform_page_loaded', [3, current_page]);window['gf_submitting_3'] = false;}else if(!is_redirect){var confirmation_content = jQuery(this).contents().find('.GF_AJAX_POSTBACK').html();if(!confirmation_content){confirmation_content = contents;}setTimeout(function(){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_3').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [3]);window['gf_submitting_3'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_3').text());}, 50);}else{jQuery('#gform_3').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [3, current_page]);gform.utils.trigger({ event: 'gform\/postRender', native: false, data: { formId: 3, currentPage: current_page } });} );} );\n<\/script>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Postdoctoral Affairs, a function of Graduate &amp; Postdoctoral Success, has offered travel awards for BU postdocs to pursue opportunities for their professional development. This may include traveling to opportunities external to campus (e.g. presenting at a conference), or registration fees associated with virtual events. 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