Travel grants are the unsung hero of research grant funding - they can make the difference in your ability to disseminate and network with colleagues, especially in this landscape of austerity and restricted internal travel budgets.
Where do you start in seeking funding for your latest travel? Here's a few of my tried-and-tested tips:
Have a detailed plan: You would be surprised at how many travel grants I've reviewed in the past that have very limited detail in terms of a plan. You want your travel bid to be laser sharp - sharing specific detail on where you are going, what your activities will be and why.
Part of this plan must include a detailed budget. Nothing is worse than round numbers - for example, listing $5,000 for international flights, $750 for conference registration $1,000 for accommodation for a week, etc. It is common for funders to directly feedback that more detail is required in your plan (and many funders now require specific travel quotes). So do the legwork ahead of time - look up example flight costs and add specific numbers, share your specific needs for per diem costs and transport costs like taxis (most Universities have specified daily rates - talk to your research office if you are not sure).
The other part of this plan must be your specific activities. Let's use the common example of conference attendance - sure you can list the name of the conference you are going to, but it is much stronger to share details of specific presentations you will make (poster, plenary or otherwise), specific collaborators you will meet with, and critical workshops you will attend. Sharing details of these activities will give the funder confidence you are going with a specific goal in mind, making your bid look even more attractive for funding. Extra points if you are supporting a postgraduate student or similar in their career development through this travel.
Show evidence of co-funding: I know - this sounds counter-intuitive, but funders like to see some evidence of co-funding in a bid. But, you ask: "If I had co-funding, I wouldn't need to apply for this in the first place..." .. I hear you. But this is a very important piece of the puzzle. I have had a high success rate in my own travel grant applications, and I think it is partly to do with always including at least some co-funding. Can your department pay your per diem costs? Will the conference waive part of your registration if you are a speaker? Look into any avenue to include some gesture of goodwill as a sign you are seeking funding support from all sources possible. It will show your determination to attend this event and provide a point of difference in your bid.
Link to impact (for you and the funder!): You need to take this opportunity to explain to the assessment panel why this is important for your career - explain specifically why this travel is needed and what the impact will be. Is this the preeminent conference in your field? Are there certain experts who will only be present at this one opportunity? Will this serve as an opportunity to share NZ-based research on an international stage? Share specific commentary around why this travel is important and how the activities you are pursuing will benefit your research/career and/or NZ as a whole (e.g., bringing back specific skills, knowledge or techniques that you can share more widely on your return). Lastly, don't forget to mention impact for the funder - they are essentially using your travel as a mechanism for advertising, so share with them how you will acknowledge their support on your travels - as above, the more specific of a plan here the better.
Now, where do you go for travel funding? Here are a few ideas:
Are you an Early Career Researcher? Try the Association of Commonwealth Universities Travel Grant
Are you looking for travel to support pilot research, building connections and starting new research collaborations? Try the Catalyst Seeding Fund (NB: I think more researchers should be applying for Catalyst Seeding - one of the most overlooked but impactful Royal Society Funds available).
Do you work in health-related fields? Try my personal favourite, Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust.
You can also look to explore national travel opportunities often offered internally via Universities, specific area funding like medtech, or virtual connection funding.
Travel funding can also be built in to larger grant applications - and the same suggestions above apply. Gone are the days where you can simply put a flat $10,000 in for travel and assume it will be accepted - funders are wanting more detail in the travel sections of bids across the board.
Whether this is due to responsible travel from a sustainability perspective, or an effort to save costs, you will only make your bid stronger by applying the above advice.
Questions? Get in touch with me to find out more at funding.fundamentals.nz@gmail.com.
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