Application Deadlines: January 1, April 1, July 1 & October 1

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Supporting Research Careers - Travel Awards for Trainees

Travel awards provide funding for travel and conference expenses to Trainee Members (e.g., students including undergraduate, graduate, or medical, and postdoctoral scholars, residents, and fellows) involved in cancer research or clinical training.

Eligibility & Deadlines

Eligibility

  • Must be a Trainee Member at the time of the award.
  • Must be accepted to present an in-person oral or poster presentation at a related conference.
  • Must have a Letter of Support from a faculty member endorsing the application.
  • Must submit the application at least one month, but no more than three months, before the conference travel.
  • Must not have received a Travel Award within the past twelve months.

Deadlines

  • January 1: For conferences between February 1 and April 30
  • April 1: For conferences between May 1 and July 31
  • July 1: For conferences between August 1 and October 31
  • October 1: For conferences between November 1 and January 31

Application and Reviews

Application Materials

  • Proposal submission: 
    Upload a PDF of your project, poster, or presentation abstract.
  • Include an explanation of how attending this event will contribute to your professional development and advance your career in cancer research or oncology-focused clinical training (maximum 1,000 words).
  • Conference Program or Agenda: Include the program or agenda to show the specific sessions, workshops, or presentations that you will be participating in during the event.
  • Budget Justification: Eligible expenses include airfare, conference registration, lodging, ground travel, and poster printing. Provide a budget justification for each expense. The total may not exceed the requested award amount.
  • Letter of Support: Include a one-page letter of support from a faculty mentor who is a Karmanos Cancer Institute faculty member who endorses your presentation at the proposed conference.

Review Criteria

  • Research Impact: The research or presentation should have potential to advance the field and provide a foundation for future funding.
  • Scientific Rigor & Innovation: The research should demonstrate high scientific rigor and innovative methods.
  • Professional Development: Conference attendance should be highly relevant to the applicant's professional development and career advancement.
  • Funding Need: The applicant should demonstrate a clear need for funding and lack alternative sources of support.

Application Materials

  • Proposal
  • Upload a PDF of your project, poster, or presentation abstract.
    • Include an explanation (maximum of 1,000 words) of how attending this event will contribute to your professional development and advance your career in cancer research or oncology-focused clinical training.
    • Please also include an explanation of the financial need or any personal history that we should consider when evaluating this application
  • Conference Program or Agenda: Include the program or agenda to show the specific sessions, workshops, or presentations that you will be participating in during the event.
  • Budget Justification: Eligible expenses include airfare, conference registration, lodging, ground travel, meals, and poster printing. Provide a justification for each expense. The total may not exceed the requested award amount.
  • Letter of Support: Include a one-page faculty mentor (i.e., Karmanos Cancer Institute member) letter of support endorsing your presentation at the proposed conference.

Our office is here to help with your application – whether it is finding a mentor to sponsor, filling out the materials, or need anything else: drop us an email at CRTEC@karmanos.org.

Policies

When possible, Karmanos CRTEC office will pre-book travel and arrangements to minimize out of pocket expenses for Trainees. This travel must be approved in advance through TravelWayne and must meet Wayne State University’s travel policies.

Reimbursements will be processed through Wayne State University vendor system, and all awarded trainees must complete the required onboarding for the Wayne Vendor system.

Application Guidelines

  • Reimbursement is not available for travel completed before the award date.
  • Eligible expenses include airfare, conference registration, lodging, ground travel, and poster printing.
  • A budget justification is required with the application.
    • Undergraduate students can request up to $1,000.
    • Graduate students, postdocs, clinical residents, and clinical fellows can request up to $2,000.
  • Only one trainee per faculty member per conference may receive an award, and the application must include a support letter from the faculty member.
  • Preference will be given to applicants without other existing funding sources.

Reimbursement Process

  • Submit itemized receipts for approved expenses within 5 days of completing travel.
  • Reimbursement is typically processed within 30 days of submitting all itemized receipts.
  • Failure to provide required receipts may result in delayed reimbursement or revocation of the award.