Applications for Spring 2023 are closed. New applications for the 23-24 school year will be live on July 1, 2023.
The GA recognizes the special needs of graduate student parents to attend conferences and/or seminars while also filling the needs of their family and children. Campus does not currently offer funding support for graduate student parents to curb the additional costs associated with travel for children and/or a caregiver to conferences outside of the Bay Area or for childcare at such conferences. As such, the GA has established the Graduate Student Parent (GSP) Travel Award to aid with such expenses.
The GSP Travel Award provides funding for graduate student parents or legal guardians who, out of necessity, must bring their child(ren)/minor dependent and/or a caregiver for their child(ren) to conferences outside of the San Francisco Bay Area. Funds from this award may be used for travel costs for children or a caregiver or other childcare needed for the student parent to attend conferences. There are no presentation requirements for the graduate student parent associated with this award, but priority will be given to graduate student parents who will be presenting. Additionally, this award does not require Academic Advisor or program advisor approval, to ensure student parents are not unfairly discriminated against.
Graduate student parents may be eligible for both the main Travel Award and GSP Travel Award for each Travel Award round. The scope and parameters of the GSP Travel Award has been modified such that this is an open award with a per-student maximum funding of $900 which can be utilized during a student’s time in a particular degree.
The selection process is merit blind. If applications exceed available funding, funding will be awarded by random lottery.
The award application is hosted on the CalLink GA Funding page. Log in with your CalNet ID and password and scroll down to the “Form” section to access the applications.
Graduate Student Parent Travel Award Policy
The scope and parameters of the GSP Travel Award has been modified such that this is an open award with a per-student maximum funding of $900 which can be utilized during a student’s time in a particular degree. If an applicant does not receive funding, the applicant may reapply for funding in the following month. Graduate parents may apply for both the general GA Travel Award for themselves, and for the GSP Travel Award. Approved expenses for the GSP Travel Award include:
- Childcare costs associated with graduate parents attending a conference (in person or virtually).
- Travel costs for children or caregiver (between destination city, airport, conference site/hotel)
- Food (only for the child or caregiver traveling, in destination city).
- Airline tickets for child or caregiver (retain their boarding passes, itinerary confirmation, and payment confirmation).
- Costs of renting a car seat/booster seat at the destination.
Graduate Student Parent Travel Award Deadlines
Applications will be open from August 1, 2022 till funds last. All grants awarded are to be used before July 31, 2023. All receipts are to be submitted no later than 30 days after the date of the activity/conference.
Each month, applications submitted by the end of the 3rd week will be considered. Applicants will be notified by the end of the 1st week of the month after their application submission.
Only currently registered full-time graduate students or students on filing fee during the semester in which the activity/conference will occur may apply for and receive a Professional Development Award or GSP Travel Award.
| Funding Round | Application Deadline | Use Funds By | Decision posted to GA Website | Receipts Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Each month, applications submitted by the end of the 3rd week will be considered | Rolling applications while funds last | July 31, 2023 | End of 1st week of the month following application submission | within 30 days after travel date |
For more information, please refer to the Graduate Student Parent Travel Award section of our 2022-2023 Funding Guide.
Funding support for this award is provided as part of the Peet’s Coffee for a Cause Program. A portion of every Peet’s Coffee purchase made at Cal Dining Peet’s locations helps support student programs and initiatives including graduate travel grants, student scholarships, campus sustainability programs, a basic needs skills course, and an on-campus farm and gardening program. Visit the Peet’s partner page to learn more.