The EMS Centennial Research Travel Award supports travel for graduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences that is related to their research. All current graduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are invited to apply for a Centennial Award. Preference will be given to students that have not previously won this award (prior winners must wait 24 months before applying again). Strong applications will clearly articulate:
- Broader impacts of the research related to this travel.
- Intellectual merit of the research related to this travel. and
- How this experience will be formative to your graduate research and contribute to your scholarly or professional goals.
New the Year!
A second opportunity for travel support is being sponsored by the Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Alumni Board. The GEMS Graduate Student Travel Award has been established to support graduate students in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) in their academic and professional development by providing up to $1,000 in financial assistance for travel related to their research. Award winners for both the EMS Centennial Graduate Research Travel Award and the GEMS Graduate Student Travel Award will be chosen from one applicant pool using the application below.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled as a full time graduate student
- Complete and submit the application form below
How to Apply / Deadline
- Please complete and submit the form below. Deadline is Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET
- Submit all content requested below as a single pdf file using the naming convention: LastName_FirstName_Department.pdf
Review of Applications
- Reviewers will be from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Graduate Student Council (EMS GSC). The first round of reviews will be conducted by EMS GSC members outside of your academic department. Review of finalists will be conducted by all or most members of the EMS GSC, likely including members of your department.
- To help create a successful application, please refrain from heavy use of jargon that is related to your specific discipline - especially since the reviewers are outside of your department. If you need to use specific scientific jargon be sure to explain it thoroughly.
Examples of successful application packets from previous years
Student Information
Application Packet Checklist
Submit one PDF file that includes all of the following components in the order listed.
1. Title & Short Description
- Provide a proposal title.
- Include a brief description at the top of the document summarizing the proposed work or travel purpose.
2. Merit Section (Maximum 1,000 words total)
Single-spaced, 12 point font. References do not count toward the 1,000 word limit.
Your responses must address all of the following:
A. Intellectual Merit
- Explain the intellectual merit of your work by providing examples of how your current research is innovative and important to your field.
- Include at least two references, with in text citations, that support the intellectual merit of your project.
B. Contribution to Research & Professional Goals
- Explain how receiving this travel award will be informative to or otherwise contribute to:
- Supporting your graduate research, and
- Advancing your professional development.
- If you have participated in similar travel or research experiences, explain:
- How this opportunity differs, and
- What new value it provides compared to previous experiences
3. Proposed Travel Budget
Provide a clear and detailed itemized budget that includes:
- Destination (conference location or fieldwork site).
- Estimated expenses, itemized as specifically as possible:
- Conference registration
- Airfare
- Lodging
- Ground transportation
- Meals
- Fieldwork costs
- Any other necessary travel related expenses
- A total estimated cost, noting that:
- Your budget may exceed the award amount as long as you clearly describe how the award funds will supplement your travel.
- Other funding sources, if applicable:
- List any secured or pending financial support for this travel (e.g., department funds, faculty grants, other awards).
4. Curriculum Vitae (Maximum 2 pages)
Single spaced, 12 point font
Your CV must include:
- Research accomplishments
- Academic accomplishments
- Awards or honors
- Oral/poster presentations
- Other relevant professional or academic activities
5. Letter of Endorsement
Submit one letter of endorsement from a faculty member supporting your travel application. The letter should include justification for how this award will benefit your research interests and professional development.
