Professional Funding
Academic Research and Conference Fund
The GSA Academic Research and Conference Fund was created to aid Graduate Students in their journey toward leadership development and academic growth. This fund seeks to reduce the associated costs and financial barriers of conducting research, attending and presenting at conferences, as well as other academic involvement opportunities. Awards are only available for the Fall and Spring Semesters. The amount of funding awarded will vary based on need and available funding. These funds will be awarded to a student's Xavier account.
The Academic Research and Conference Fund application.
Graduate students who are also full-time Xavier employees are not eligible for this funding; graduate assistants are eligible for the funding. Students who receive the award, please note: You will receive email notification upon committee review. Additionally, you must submit transactional receipts, as directed in the email notification, within seven days of the last day of the event to receive the award you are offered.
The professional development opportunity must be completed no later than May 15, 2026 to be eligible for the award. Students will only be eligible to receive one award per academic year.
PROCESS:
Xavier graduate student expenses associated with a conference or other professional development opportunity paid by a degree seeking graduate student, may be eligible for an award to partially subsidize expenses. This will be awarded to the student's Xavier account. Expenses for the conference, research, or professional development may include:
-Registration fees
-Travel associated costs (airfare or gas)
-Lodging
-Rideshare/ Transportation
-Research costs (transcription services, software purchases that Xavier does not provide access to (e.g., Dedoose), a recording device)
*Unfortunately, GSA cannot reimburse for food expenses incurred at this time.
If your application is approved to receive funding, you are required to submit your approved application and supporting documentation detailing the expenses. A copy of your submitted application will be sent to you as part of the approval process.
Copies of all receipts are required for submission and only the amount awarded may be supported. **PLEASE NOTE THAT WE CANNOT PAY FOR TAX ON ANY ITEM!!**
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING
1. Before event: requests for funding must be submitted at least 4 full work weeks before the event. *If a student does not submit their conference fund application four weeks prior to conference start dates, the GSA withholds the ability to not fund a student's conference request.
2. Applicant will receive notification of funds award status via Xavier email address within the following 4 weeks after submitting their application.
3. If awarded funding, submit all transactional receipts (or scanned copies of transactional receipts) and a copy of the GSA Academic Research and Conference Fund Application to: Jamie Kuhlmeier, Hailstones Hall Room 106 or via email at kuhlmeierj@xavier.edu.
4. Students must submit receipts within 1 month of award notification date. As long as a student has purchased the item (registration, airfare, etc.) they can be reimbursed for it even if the event is not until later. If the student does not submit transactional receipts within 1 month of their award, the student will have to reapply.
As part of the application you will be asked to describe in 500 words or less the activity for which funds are being requested, why you would like to participate, how you will bring back the knowledge to Xavier's campus, and how your participation will help further your career goals. Please consider your response for the prompt before starting this application for funding. If you leave this form before submitting the application, your response will not be saved.
If you have any questions please contact GSA at gsa@xavier.edu.