Merkin Travel Grants

Call for Merkin Travel Grant Applications

Submission deadline: rolling basis

The Merkin Institute for Translational Research (MITR) invites applications for Merkin Travel Grants (MTG) to offset the travel costs of Caltech trainees who have been accepted to present their translational research at a professional conference or similar event.

Merkin Travel Grant Purpose:

MTG grants, as envisioned, will enable Caltech trainees to attend and present at an upcoming large conference, or at a research-focused learning experience (e.g., conference workshop, CSHL short course, etc) that will materially further their training and research goals.

Guidelines and Eligibility:

The presentation (poster or talk) must communicate research that was conducted by the trainee while at Caltech. And, in alignment with MITR's mission to catalyze breakthroughs that improve human health, the research must be highly translational in nature.

The ideal applicant (UG, PhD, postdoc levels; all academic divisions and options) will have already been accepted to present at the conference or event. Herein, a MTG is intended to partially cover travel costs (e.g., airfare, ground transportation, hotel, per diem). We encourage applicants to apply for funds from other sources, as these may be matched by MITR. MITR will not provide retrospective funding for past conferences; the MTG application must be submitted and approved before the conference occurs.

Application Format:

1. Applicant Full Name
2. Research Group Name and Academic Division (and/or option)
3. Position Title (UG, PhD, postdoc) and Year
4. Conference/Workshop/Event Name, Date(s), Location
5. Presentation Title and Abstract that was accepted by the conference organizing committee; indicate the conference session (if applicable) and presentation type (talk, poster, etc).
6. Proof of Acceptance (e.g., letter/email from conference organizers)
7. Research Plan and Significance: Up to 2-pages, including figures, briefly describing the project (research strategy), and explaining the biomedical relevance and/or translational impact. Bibliography not included in 2-page limit.
8. List of Additional Funding that you have received from other sources to support your research, your career progression, and/or your conference travel.
9. Budget/estimate (itemized) of funds required for travel.

Email a PDF file of your MTG application to Jennifer Treweek: [email protected]; include Liz Demeter in email CC: [email protected].

The total number of travel grants offered each year is based on the first come, first-serve availability of funds. Applications will be accepted at any time as long as funds remain.