The College of Communication encourages Communication Studies and Strategic Communication graduate students to present their research to external audiences. Graduate students may apply for up to $400 from the College to help pay for expenses associated with attending a conference in order to present their TCU research. College funds are intended to be used in addition to funding provided by TCU Graduate Studies.
Limited funds are available; funding will be determined by the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration. Priority will be given to students who have not received a previous travel award, and students may not receive more than one award during an academic year (June 1 through May 31).
Application Information
Download and complete the travel grant application 2022-2023 from TCU Graduate Studies:
Students need complete only one application and make a copy for the Dean’s office. College funding is intended to be in addition to funding provided by the Graduate Studies office. In other words, students should ask for the maximum amount of funding granted by the Graduate Studies office ($400 for domestic travel and $800 for international travel) and request additional funding from the College of Communication.
Examples:
- A student plans to present research at a conference held in the U.S., for a total travel cost of $900. The student should complete the travel grant application, requesting $400 from the TCU Graduate Studies office and $400 from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication.
- A student plans to present research at a conference in the U.S., for a total travel cost of $600. The student should complete the travel grant application, requesting $400 from the TCU Graduate Studies office and $200 from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication.
- A student plans to present research at two conferences in the same academic year, and wishes to pursue $400 from the TCU Graduate Studies office to help with the first conference and $400 from the Bob Schieffer College of Communication for the second conference.
Please note that all applications must contain the endorsements of the Director for Graduate Studies or Department Chair from the student’s department. Submit completed application forms to Dr. Julie O’Neil, Associate Dean, located in Moudy South 207F. Applicants will be notified via email of funding decisions.
Expectations
Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to travel to be considered. Proof of acceptance (email correspondence detailing your acceptance to a conference or coordination with contact persons regarding original research, conference program, presentation abstract, etc.) must be submitted with the application. Travel must be completed for funds to be disbursed.
We ask that you provide photographs of you presenting, doing research, and/or networking while on your sponsored trip. These pictures may appear on the College website and social media pages. Please email Randi Kellenberger at randi.kellenberger@tcu.edu a completed photo release form and your photos at the time you submit your reimbursement form. If you have already completed a photo release since joining TCU as a graduate student, you do not need to complete another one.
Reimbursement + Advance
Funding is dispersed as reimbursements (i.e., awardees receive grants after they return from travel). Students should submit the completed reimbursement form with original receipts and photographs to the Dean’s Office within 30 days of travel. Once the Dean’s Office approves and signs the reimbursement form, students may take the reimbursement form to the TCU Graduate Studies office for their signature if needed.
Graduate students who are TCU employees or have a TCU assistantship (that pays a stipend) may request an advance for travel. Requests for advances must be approved by the College of Communication Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Administration. Once the travel has been completed, a request for reimbursement must be filed within 30 days of return. If the reimbursement is not filed within this period, the outstanding advance amount may be deducted from the student’s paycheck or stipend check to cover the advance. Graduate students who are not employees or assistants with a stipend are not eligible for advances.