External Grants FAQ

FAQ: External (non-GRO) Conference Grant Funding

Q: What types of funding are available for conference or professional development?
At Johns Hopkins, PhD students have access to several sources of funding for conference travel or professional development, including:

  • Federal Funding: Grants and fellowships from agencies such as NSF, NIH, or NSERC
  • State Funding: Maryland or other state-specific grants that may support conference travel.
  • University-wide Funding: General conference-travel resources and funds available through university offices.
  • Departmental Funding: Many departments within KSAS and WSE allocate budgets specifically for graduate student travel.
  • Lab/Advisor Funding: Funding can also be available through your PI’s grants or lab budget, particularly if the conference is directly related to your research​

 

Q: How do I check if I’m eligible for federal or state funding?
For federal funding, eligibility often depends on being involved in a federally funded research project (e.g., NSF, NIH). Additionally:

  • U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is generally required.
  • Your conference or research activity must align with the funding agency’s priorities.

State funding opportunities, like those from Maryland, may be available, but they tend to focus on research with regional impact. These are less common and more competitive. Contact your department administrator or advisor for assistance in finding state-based grants​ (Homewood Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs).

 

Q: What school-wide funding options and resources are available at Johns Hopkins?
At the university level, resources for conference travel include:

  • Master’s Professional Development Fund (WSE): covers conference registration fees only (not travel). Application is required, and awardees are chosen via a lottery system.
  • Homewood Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs: This office manages travel policies, expense reimbursement procedures, and can direct students to available financial support and answer more questions.

Q: How do I know if there are department-specific or lab funds available?
Many departments in KSAS and WSE have dedicated funding for student travel, particularly if you are presenting at a conference. Reach out to your department administrator or advisor for more information.

Your PI’s lab may also have travel funds included in research grants, irrespective of whether their grant(s) are at the federal (e.g. NSF) or school (e.g. startup funds) level. Speak with your advisor about accessing these resources, as decisions are usually made on a case-by-case basis depending on the relevance of the conference to ongoing research​ and the particular funding status of your advisor.

 

Q: Do I need to be presenting at the conference to receive funding from my lab or department?
For departmental and lab-based funding, it is typically expected that you present your research (either via a talk or poster) to qualify for financial support. This ensures that the conference directly contributes to your academic or research goals. That being said, many advisors operate on a case-by-case basis. Chat with them about the conference, your goals, and available resources.

University-level funding may also favor students who are presenting, but policies vary across different funding sources​. Inquire with your department administrator for more information.

 

Q: How do I apply for departmental or lab funding?
Applications for departmental funding are typically handled through your department chair or graduate coordinator. You will likely need to submit details about the conference, your presentation, and how the conference fits into your academic development.
For lab funding, talk directly with your advisor to see if any current grants or budgets allow for conference travel expenses.

 

Q: Can I combine funding from different sources?
Yes, you can combine funds from different sources to cover the cost of conference travel. However, each funding body (department, lab, university) may have specific rules:

  • Always disclose all sources of funding in your applications to ensure there are no conflicts.
  • If one funding source has fully covered a specific cost, you cannot seek reimbursement for that same cost from another source ​(Homewood Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs).

 

Q: What if I need additional financial support beyond what is offered?
If the available funds do not cover the full cost of attending a conference, you have a few options:

  • Seek travel grants from professional organizations or societies in your field.
  • Apply to the GRO conference grant lottery!