Travel awards to attend and present polar-related work at a conference are open to polar early career scientists and educators. In this Spring 2024 funding cycle, PSECCO will be distributing $5,000 of awards. Applicants may request a reasonable amount of funding to support their travel to/from a conference, up to a value of $900 per person, with awards aimed at those with demonstrated financial need. An additional $100 is available for awardees who organize a PSECCO social event at the conference.

To be eligible for funding applicants must:

  • Be an early career scientist (undergraduate to seven years beyond your terminal degree) OR be a currently practising K-12 or informal educator;
  • Be based in the United States and affiliated with a U.S.-based institution;
  • Do polar-related research or educate about the polar regions;
  • Have demonstrated financial need; and
  • Be attending a conference taking place after 1 April and before 1 November 2024.

Awardees of the grant are expected to:

  • Give a presentation at the conference (poster or oral);
  • Submit a short report to PSECCO (psecco@colorado.edu) within two months of the conclusion of the conference, including a 500-word reflection on what you got out of attending the conference and at least two photographs of you at the event that can be shared on the PSECCO website and media outlets; and
  • Serve on a selection committee for the next conference funding award cycle.

Recipients of the grant will have support to organize a PSECCO social meet-up event for polar early career scientists and educators at the conference if they choose to do so, with an extra $100 stipend provided to those who do.

PSECCO is committed to supporting and creating opportunities for those from backgrounds underrepresented in the sciences. People from groups historically excluded from the polar sciences are encouraged to apply.

Application deadline: 15 March 2024

To apply, go to: Application webform

For more information, go to: PSECCO Travel Grant webpage

For questions, contact:
Mariama Dryák-Vallies
Email: psecco@colorado.edu
Phone: 303-735-5562