Summer Travel Intensive Awards (LIMITED APPLICATION TIME)


Update: Due to technical issues, the application will now be live tuesday 03/31, and extended to 04/07!

The GSA would like to offer an apology for any inconvenience this may cause.
In the mean time, feel free to prepare your application by viewing the scoring rubric. 


Applications open: March 31st, 2026

Application deadline: April 3rd, 2026

Notification: April 7th, 2026

 

The GSA Summer Travel Intensive Award provides financial support to graduate students conducting fieldwork and archival research for their dissertations or theses. Applicants must conduct their fieldwork or archival research during the summer of 2026.

 

Archival Track 

Archival research is defined as research conducted in collections housed in libraries and archives. Domestic travel is eligible for up to $1400. International travel is eligible for up to $3300. 

 

Award Tiers

There are 2 tiers for archival research awards.

Domestic: 

  • Tier 1: Eligible for up to $750 (1 award available)
  • Tier 2: Eligible for up to $1400 (2 awards available)

International 

  • Tier 1: Eligible for up to $2500 (1 award available)
  • Tier 2: Eligible for up to $3300 (2 awards available)

 

We strongly encourage applicants to consult an archivist or librarian at their chosen research site. Applicants who provide details of their consultation with an archivist, librarian, or an otherwise appropriate staff member will be more competitive for this award. 

 

Submit a 500-word research statement demonstrating:

  • The collections to be studied at an archive or library. 
  • Relevance of archival collections and/or libraries to their research project and field of study.
  • Tenative timeline for travel.
  • Clear outcomes of the proposed research (e.g. collection xyz will assist with chapter xyz of the dissertation).
  • Financial need for the award.

Submit screenshots of: 

  • Supporting documentation for the estimated cost of transportation and lodging (e.g. screenshots of flight prices and hotel stay) 

 

Fieldwork Track

Fieldwork research is research conducted at a specific site for the purposes of data collection. Examples include, but are not limited to, participant observation, archeological excavations, ethnography, interviews, or oral histories. Domestic fieldwork is eligible for up to $1400. International fieldwork is eligible for up to $3300.

 

Human subjects research must have proof of IRB approval, or in the final stages, to be eligible for this award. 

 

Award Tiers

There are 2 tiers for archival research awards.

Domestic: 

  • Tier 1: Eligible for up to $750 (1 award available)
  • Tier 2: Eligible for up to $1400 (2 awards available)

International 

  • Tier 1: Eligible for up to $2500 (1 award available)
  • Tier 2: Eligible for up to $3300 (2 awards available)

 

Application

Submit a 500-word statement describing the following: 

  • Relevance of research methods and site of research to their research project and field of study.
  • Tenative timeline for travel.
  • Clear outcomes of the proposed research (e.g. fieldwork in xyz location will assist with chapter xyz of the dissertation).
  • Financial need for the award.

Submit screenshots of: 

  • Supporting documentation for the estimated cost of transportation and lodging (e.g. screenshots of flight prices and hotel stay) 
     

Student Organization Funding

Graduate Student Assembly allocates funds, called appropriations, for registered student organizations to support events and initiatives on campus that cater to graduate students. Applications will open at the beginning of each term (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Check back in later for Summer and Fall appropriations. 

Are you a registered student organization wanting to host an event or initiative catering to graduate and professional degree students? Apply to GSA Spring Appropriations to receive financial support for materials such as t-shirts, posters, flyers, banners, office supplies, programs, and promotional details. More details are provided in application link.

Graduate Student Travel Awards

The Graduate Student Assembly Travel Awards are scholarships awarded to select graduate students for qualifying travel related to their degree. Travel must occur in the year prior to the application window. 

Funding for Graduate Student Travel Reimbursement is open!
Apply at tinyurl.com/gsatravel26
 

GSA Travel Awards FAQs:

Check back in for next year's general travel award. 
 

What activities does the GSA Travel Award fund?

Only graduate students who presented original research, or traveled to conduct original research, are eligible to apply

What does the GSA Travel Award cover?

Registration fees, travel (e.g., flights), and lodging (no food)

When did the travel need to have taken place?

January 1, 2025 to December 1, 2025. Applications with travel outside of these dates will be denied.

How much funding can I receive?

$500 maximum

Who can apply?

Only graduate and professional degree students enrolled in UT Austin at the time of the research presentation (or at time the research was conducted) are eligible to apply.