Travel Awards

Overview

CANSSI Ontario has a dedicated pool of funds to support STAGE trainee travel.

1. Travel funds can be used to cover more than one trip, but only to a maximum of $2,000 per trainee, per fiscal year (May-April).
2. Applications are accepted year-round, on a first come, first served basis and subject to available funding.
3. Funds can be used to cover transportation, lodging, registration fees, and per diem expenses.

We encourage trainees to actively seek financial support from other sources to supplement CANSSI Ontario travel support. Amounts are in Canadian Dollars.

Purpose of the Award

The purpose of the travel funds is to promote STAGE-related research by supporting the travel of STAGE trainees and alumni to national and international scientific conferences, meetings, workshops, and other events that facilitate professional development in research and communicate research discoveries.

Eligibility

To be considered, the following criteria must be met:

1. Events must be aligned with the Program’s research themes.
2. The applicant has been selected to present a talk or poster at the event.
3. The applicant’s talk or poster relates to current research that is a clear extension of, or significantly different from, previous research for which travel funds were awarded, if applicable.
4. The applicant is:

A. an active trainee of the Program at the time of application as well as at the time of the event.

OR

B. a recent STAGE alumnus who

1. 1. 1. wishes to present work derived from STAGE training,
      2. is within one year of officially completing the Program,
      3. is applying to participate in an event that is scheduled to occur within one year of their official Program completion date, and
      4. has the endorsement of their former STAGE Primary Mentor to attend the proposed event.

How to Apply

Requests should be emailed preferably 30 days or more before the date of travel to Esther Berzunza, with cc to the applicant’s Primary STAGE Mentor.

Requests must include:

1. the complete name of the meeting, its location, and date(s),
2. the trainee’s travel date(s),
3. the title of the oral or poster presentation and the corresponding abstract and authorship,
4. a clear budget justification for the amount of funding being requested, and
5. proof of presentation acceptance (e.g. confirmation of participation from event organizers).

Retroactive Requests

Requests for retroactive travel funds are discouraged but will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Travel Support Evaluation and Ratings

Travel support requests are reviewed by the co-directors of the Program. Funding is competitive and limited and co-directors may recommend full, partial, or no funding.

Requests will be rated from high to low priority based on the following criteria:
• nomination for an award at the proposed meeting,
• oral presentations,
• trainees who have not received prior travel support, and
• the quality and significance of the presentation or conference for which travel support is sought.

Notifications

Upon receipt of requests, a notification of receipt will be emailed to the applicant.

Acknowledgement

Trainees are required to acknowledge STAGE and CANSSI Ontario in their presentations, publications arising from the supported research, and in any subsequent conference, meeting, or congress materials. Acknowledgments should be made to “CANSSI Ontario STAGE (Strategic Training for Advanced Genetic Epidemiology).”

Submitting a Reimbursement Request

Reimbursement requests for eligible and approved travel expenses should be submitted within one month of returning from the event. Forward (1) original receipts for travel-related expenses, (2) a summary of your oral presentation or your poster abstract to:

Esther Berzunza, Program Manager
esther.berzunza@utoronto.ca
CANSSI Ontario