Seeking a travel bursary can sometimes be easy and other times more difficult. Those looking to access travel bursaries at a general conference or something of that nature may have a hard time finding the funding needed as there will be more people applying for the assistance. However college travel bursaries are typically more readily available as they give students access to money and the number of applicants are generally lower.
Other bursaries for travel offered through member oriented organizations may also be more readily available. It is not uncommon for travel bursaries to be given out to financially needy applicants, though this is not always the case. Also common is the need for those who receive travel bursaries to explain in detail what they want to award for and why it will be useful for them to use the money for travel.
Various forms of Travel Bursaries
The International Federation of Automotive Engineering Societies gives out travel bursaries to student engineers who are interested in exchange programs, internships or other travel-necessary arrangements. This particular travel bursary gives out up to 2,000 euros to students depending on their travel needs at least twice a year. Applicants who are interested in the program should be studying engineering as at any level and have arranged for some sort of program with a company or college in which they will receive direct, firsthand experience. All applicants must be members of a FISITA organization. Applications should be turned in by March 31 or October 31 depending on the timing of their placement.
Every year the Canadian Conference on Fats and Oils gives out travel bursaries to students who have an educational interest in the gathering. The amount awarded to each student will be $250. All applicants will need to be full time students and have submitted an abstract to the conference’s organizing committee for consideration. The conference is normally held in September, though abstracts and applications for the bursary must be submitted by August 31.
African Biosafety Network of Expertise, an organization built around encouraging biosafety in Africa, offers a bursary for travel to those interested in participating in their annual conferences. This travel bursary covers not only the cost of travel and accommodations but also pays for meals and registration fees as well. The program is limited to young scientists in developing African nations who are focusing on agricultural biotechnology which will help develop their country further. All applicants must be under the age of 35, be in financial need, submit an abstract of their work, and be from a UN designated developing nation. Applications are due no later than February 15.
InterRidge Cruise gives out bursaries for travel in an attempt to help encourage collaboration on ocean ridge research projects. Up to $2,000 can be awarded to those who get access to these travel bursaries. The program can be initiated by either a young scientist or by a host scientist, though in either case both must be interest in ocean ridge research. Interested applicants can check with the InterRidge website for those researchers attempting to find suitable co-researchers. Applications are open whenever a new cruise is being planned, so applicants should check with the website regularly for upcoming opportunities.
APS Physics awards travel grants to students who are interested in collaborating on physics research in developing countries. Travel bursaries are given out based on financial need, time requested and scope of research. All projects must last for at least a single month, have an abstract of intended research submitted, and at least one collaborator must be an APS member. Applications run on a rolling system and open up multiple times every year.