Conference travel. PhD students making satisfactory progress are eligible for travel grant funding (up to $800 for domestic travel and up to $1000 for international travel), to be used if giving a conference paper or participating in a conference panel. The Department defines a year as the fiscal year, July 1 – June 30. The Department requires that you do not apply for departmental support before you have exhausted Rackham support. You will need to apply for both Rackham and Departmental funds before the trip (there will be no exceptions to this policy), and you must attach a copy of your Rackham Conference Travel Grant as part of your application. When you return from the conference, you must submit receipts as instructed in the approval notice in order to receive funding or reimbursement from the Department. This grant only covers travel costs and expenses related to conference activity, but not food. Because funds are limited, the Department cannot always guarantee that your request will be approved. To apply for conference travel, please take the following steps:
· Applications can be downloaded HERE.
· Complete the form and attach a copy of the conference program or a letter of invitation confirming your participation.
· Return the form to the SSvC for review and routing to the Department Chief Administrator for signature and processing.
· Receipts for reimbursement must be submitted to the Department Administrator within 10 days after your return. All original receipts must be submitted, and only those receipts will be reimbursed. The Comparative Literature Department must account for all funds it dispenses. We suggest you carry an envelope to keep receipts together. Please include a copy of your boarding pass.
· Applications for Rackham Conference Travel Grants are available HERE. This money is available for students who will be presenting at conferences, and Rackham also requires that you apply before the conference starts. When you apply to Rackham for travel funding, you must give a copy of your application to the SSvC, since this will impact any Complit Travel Grant Request. Conference and travel applications made to Rackham and other funders require a letter of support from faculty. Faculty receive many, many requests for these types of letters and may occasionally miss a deadline. Rackham will not consider late requests or appeals after your travel, so be proactive - request an exception prior to your travel if your application is incomplete due to an outstanding faculty recommendation letter. Rackham will consider requests for exception made in advance. They know that faculty letters can sometimes be delayed due to travel, access to computers, and other faculty deadlines/priorities. Of course, all of the student application materials must be submitted in advance.
· Please plan ahead. If you have further questions, please contact the SSvC.
MLA Travel. Current students who are on the job market and have interviews scheduled for MLA may apply to the Comparative Literature Department for support to travel to MLA. Students are eligible for up to $800 in funding for travel and expenses related to conference activity, but not food. Students should submit a Travel Grant Application Form to the Department Chief Administrator and submit original receipts for reimbursement.
International Institute Conference Travel. The International Institute provides supplemental travel support for graduate students invited to present papers on area or international topics. Grants are available for travel to area studies meetings, annual conferences, and workshops.
Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant. Students can apply to Rackham to request support for research-based travel or study of foreign languages needed for research. Graduate students are eligible to apply for this grant if they are in good academic standing, and if the proposed research project helps achieve progress toward the doctoral degree. A doctoral student is eligible for two research grants, one pre-candidacy (up to $1500) and one as a candidate (up to $3,000). Students apply for Rackham Research Grants on a rolling basis and must give a copy of their application to the SSvC for record-keeping.
Rackham International Research Awards (RIRA). Each year Rackham makes fifteen awards (up to $10,000) in support of graduate students conducting degree-related research outside North America. Preference will be given to students who have an approved dissertation topic, and students of any citizenship may apply. Students may receive only one RIRA award, and if they have other sources of fellowship support they must demonstrate need for additional funding. Rackham’s application deadline is mid-February, and students who apply must give a copy of their application to the SSvC for record-keeping.
Other funds for research travel. Students may find additional support for travel via the Area Studies Centers at UM or Comparative Literature Summer Language/Research Funding (see 6.4 Summer Funding).