Graduate Student Grants

Travel Grants

The Division of Plant Sciences has three funding sources to support graduate student travel to scientific meetings. Each fund has specific requirements, however a student may only receive funding from one of these funds to attend a single meeting in a calendar year.

Division of Plant Sciences Travel Fund – this fund is available to all graduate students in the Division of Plant Sciences. Priority will be given to students who present an oral or poster presentation.

The Daniel Millikan Travel Fund – this fund was established through a gift provided by Daniel Millikan to be used for graduate study in plant pathology. Travel funds are available to graduate students in the Division of Plant Sciences who belong to the Plant Stress Biology Program Area and whose major focus on research must be in the field of plant microbiology or pathology.

The Entomology Travel Fund – limited funds are made available for students in the Entomology graduate program area of the Division of Plant Sciences to attend professional scientific meetings, provided that students are presenting a paper or poster on their thesis/dissertation topic. For additional information, contact Debbie Finke.

Additional Travel Funds

University of Missouri Graduate School Travel Awards – this fund is available to students who have completed their doctoral comprehensive exam.

The Graduate Professional Council (GPC) award – this fund is designed to assist MU students in the graduate and professional schools who are traveling for academic reasons to represent the University of Missouri campus by presenting research papers, posters or creative works at conferences or symposium.

Randall Young Scientists Development Fund – the travel scholarships are awarded to graduate students, postdoctoral associates, undergraduate students, and staff research scientists who are members of the Interdisciplinary Plant Group, the College of Veterinary Medicine, Comparative Medicine, Biological Sciences, or the College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. Scholarships are granted for conference or meeting travel, training workshops or courses, specialized training, or off-campus research opportunities.

Graduate Research Enhancement Grants

This program is designed to provide Division of Plant Sciences graduate students with funds to pursue an opportunity to enhance their graduate education experience.  The proposed project/opportunity must  be clearly distinct from the project used to fulfill the MS/PhD research requirements.

  • Students may receive up to $750 from this program.
  • Students are limited to one travel award or one research enhancement award per academic year (August 1 – July 31).
  • This program is available to MS students who have submitted their M1 form (Program of Study) and to PhD students who have submitted their D2 form (Program of Study).
  • Complete applications are submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies.
    • Fall Semester deadline: November 15.
    • Winter semester deadline: April 15.

Please note that the number of awards made each semester will be determined by the availability of funds.

To apply please provide:

  • A one page description of your research enhancement project.  Include your name and your adviser’s name at the top of this page.
  • Be sure to explain how this research project/opportunity will enhance your graduate educational experience.  It should be clear to the reader how the proposed project differs from the research you are conducting for your thesis/dissertation.
  • Provide a detailed explanation of the costs associated with the project.  Both the applicant and adviser must sign this page.

Notes:

  • Non-expendable supplies purchased with these funds become the property of Division of Plant Sciences upon the completion of the student’s project.
  • All purchases must be complete within six months of receiving the grant