The Grainger College of Engineering
Institute for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access

IDEA Institute Travel Grant

The IDEA Institute Travel Grants provides financial support to students to participate in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-focused engineering/engineering education conferences, meetings, or workshops. Supported events include, but not limited to, the American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference and Exposition and Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD), and Understanding Interventions. The goal of this funding is to promote and improve DEI within the Grainger College of Engineering by providing students with the opportunity to present research and learn strategies for the implementation of best practices towards broadening participation in engineering. Students also gain communication and networking experience and enhanced professional academic and career opportunities.

IDEA Institute Travel Grants may be requested to cover conference expenses such as registration, travel, lodging, ground transportation, and per diem. Awardees will be expected to share reflections of conference participation at an upcoming IDEA meeting. Applicants may only receive one travel grant per academic year. Preferences will be given to applicants actively involved in the IDEA Institute (e.g. GIANT team member or participant in IDEA activities) and first-time applicants. Full or partial awards of requested amounts will based on availability of funds.

Eligibility
To be eligible for the IDEA Institute Travel Grant, applicants must:

  • Be a member of Grainger College of Engineering
  • Present or co-present research at an upcoming conference, workshop, or meeting.
  • Be a member of the IDEA Institute. If not currently a member, please join!
  • Receive permission from their faculty mentor to travel and present research
  • Complete the application form including:
    • Proof of abstract acceptance to conference, meeting, or workshop
    • Event information with location and dates
    • Statement of financial need and benefit from attending/participating in event
    • Estimated budget (airfare, lodging, registration, ground transportation, per diem based on Illinois policy)

Application Cycles
The Travel Grant Award is accepts applications during three time periods. Applications should be submitted by the following deadlines. Applications may be accepted for reimbursements, and it is preferred that applications be received at least 30 days before funds are needed. Questions about deadlines and submissions should be directed to idea-institute@illinois.edu

  • Application deadline: August 1, 2024 for conference participation  September 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
  • Application deadline: February 1, 2024 for conference participation  March 1, 2025 - May 31, 2025
  • Application deadline: June 1, 2024 for conference participation  June 1 - August 31, 2025

Select Conferences
Collaborative Network for Engineering & Computing Diversity (CoNECD)

  • 2025 Conference: February 8 – 11, 2025; San Antonio, TX
  • Call for Abstracts closed; registration open

American Society of Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition (ASEE)

  • 2025 Annual Conference: Engineering Educators Bringing the World Together: June 22 – 25, 2025, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  • Call for Abstracts closed; registration open