MSE Grad Travel Grant

To encourage graduate student presentation of research at professional conferences, for 2025-26 MSE has budgeted limited funds for support of related travel expenses in the MSE Grad Travel Grants program. Students are encouraged to seek additional funding for travel expenses from their major professor and from the GPSS Professional Advancement Grants (PAG).

Student Eligibility

• Student must be enrolled as an M.S. Or Ph.D. student in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Iowa State University (ISU). ISU Ph.D. students from other STEM-related majors will be considered eligible if they are presenting results related to their RA work in an MSE faculty’s research group.
• Student must be in good academic standing.
• Student must travel to and present research at a conference related to their program of study.
• Student must be enrolled during the same semester as the conference. If the conference is held in the summer, the student may be enrolled for either the Summer session or Fall semester.
• Student must complete travel prior to the conclusion of their final semester at Iowa State.

PLEASE NOTE: No more than two students per research group are eligible per fiscal year (July through June).

Funding

• Up to $500 in travel reimbursement funds
• MSE Grad Travel Grants will be delivered as travel reimbursements only and will not be delivered to students in advance of travel.
• It is preferred that students apply for funding in advance of the conference travel.
• Student may access these funds only once during their time as a graduate student in MSE.
• Funding is limited and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Application form for MSE Grad Travel Grant funding

Travel Reimbursement for MSE Grad Travel Grants

1. If the student is selected for an MSE Grad Travel Grant, the student and major professor will be notified by email with the worktag to be used in the student’s travel reimbursement request.
2. After the conference travel, the student requests travel reimbursement by submitting receipts, travel purpose, and funding sources (worktags for PAG and / or MSE Grad Travel Grant) to finance_delivery@iastate.edu.
3. Dispersal of funds will conform to ISU policies.
4. Reimbursements must be completed within 1 month from the last date of travel.
5. Reimbursements will be approved only for actual expenses incurred.
6. All lodging receipts and all receipts for items $75 or greater must be retained in the MSE department.

Travel Cancellation

• If the student’s travel is canceled for any reason, please communicate timely to Stacey, staceyr@iastate.edu