The department's travel awards, listed below, provide funds that are awarded on a competitive basis for the purpose of supporting graduate student travel to scientific meetings or other appropriate scholarly activities. Travel opportunities are essential for the scientific growth and development of students.
The A.E. Martell Graduate Student Enrichment Fund, an endowment established in 1980 in honor of Dr. Arthur E. Martell on the occasion of his retirement from Texas A&M University, provides funds to be used for travel awards for students pursuing a graduate degree in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M.
The Martin Donald Corera Memorial Endowed Fund was established in 1989 in memory of Martin Donald Corera. Funds are used to support travel for full-time students in good standing pursuing a graduate degree in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M. This award is for Spring travel and must be applied for by October 1.
The F.A. Cotton Endowed Memorial Graduate Travel Award, established in 2007 in the memory of Professor F.A. Cotton, provides funds to be used for travel awards for students pursuing a graduate degree in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M.
The Marcetta Y. and Donald J. Darensbourg Graduate Student Travel Scholarship in Chemistry was established in 2013 by Dawn C. '96 and David A. '88 Mason, in honor of Drs. Marcetta and Donald Darensbourg, to provide one or more travel scholarship to full-time students in good standing pursuing a graduate degree in the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M.
The Eastman Chemical Company Endowment for Graduate Teaching and Travel Awards was established in 2015 to provide travel awards for full-time graduate students in good standing pursuing a graduate degree from the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M.
Guidelines
Travel funds are awarded to graduate students on a competitive basis twice each year. Deadlines are as follows:
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Spring-semester travel awards: Applications due by the first Friday in October.
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Summer- and Fall-semester travel awards: Applications due by the first Friday in March.
Applicant Requirements
- Students must be enrolled in the Chemistry Graduate Program at Texas A&M University.
- Regional meetings are not eligible for travel award funding.
Award Criteria
Travel awards are evaluated based on the following criteria:
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Meeting’s Impact on Graduate Student Experience
Consideration will be given to the size of the meeting and the opportunities it provides for students to interact with other students, faculty, and industry representatives. -
Level of Participation
Preference will be given to students who will present their research (poster, oral presentation, etc.). Consideration will also be given to the availability of matching funds from meeting organizers, research advisors, or other sources. -
Evidence of Previous Participation
Applicants should demonstrate prior involvement in local events, such as TAMU-area meetings, Friday noon seminar presentations, or ACS regional meetings within Texas. -
Previous Travel Grants
Priority may be given to first-time applicants. -
Scientific Productivity
Students applying for travel awards are expected to have demonstrated scientific productivity, such as having published at least one paper while at TAMU and/or having passed their preliminary exam by the application deadline.
Application Process
To apply, students must complete and submit a Travel Award Application.
Award Conditions
By submitting a Travel Award Application, students agree to the following conditions:
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Travel Completion and Reimbursement
Travel must be completed, and reimbursement requests submitted, by the end of the fiscal year (August 31st). -
Timing of Travel
Travel must be completed at least three months before the student’s scheduled defense date. -
Reimbursement Before Graduation
All reimbursements must be submitted prior to graduation.