SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 31 January 2023 for international travelers requiring a visa to be considered for the initial round of funding. Thereafter, applications for international travelers will be considered on a rolling basis until all funding has been disbursed; all applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET, 15 March 2023.
FAQs for Award Recipients.
The American Ornithological Society (AOS) and Society of Canadian Ornithologists–Société des ornithologistes du Canada (SCO–SOC) are providing travel awards to help defray expenses to attend the joint AOS & SCO–SOC 2023 meeting in London, Ontario. Although presenting as the first author of an oral or poster presentation at the conference is not a requirement for eligibility, award selection will be strongly favored for those who are contributing actively to the conference, including those who are helping to organize the conference, presenting a paper, or leading workshops, symposia, round-tables, working group meetings, or official conference field trips. Meeting attendance is required to pick up the travel award.
Note: Given the time required to submit visa applications and make travel arrangements to Ontario, we are reviewing applications for travel awards from international travelers requiring a visa beginning 31 January 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a bi-monthly basis, thereafter, until funds are fully distributed. If you require a visa to travel to Ontario, it is recommended that you get your travel award application in as soon as possible. If you do not require a visa to travel to Ontario, your application will be reviewed following the 15 March 2023 deadline.
IMPORTANT: The Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada website offers a tool to determine whether or not you need a visa to travel to Canada. If you need a Canadian travel visa, it is your responsibility to begin the Visa application process with the Canadian government to ensure this is completed prior to your travel. If you require a visa letter of invitation to attend the conference, please complete this form on our meeting website to request an SCO-SOC invitation letter for your visa application with the Canadian government. A letter from SCO–SOC will be emailed to you within three business days.
AOS & SCO–SOC General Travel Awards for Students & Postdocs
Student applicants need not be members of either the SCO–SOC or the AOS when they apply; however, awardees must be members of the awarding society to receive their awards. In contrast, postdoc applicants must be members of SCO–SOC or AOS when they apply and be ineligible for student travel awards (i.e., graduated more than a semester prior to the meeting). Students between degree-seeking programs who intend to re-enter a degree program in the future may also apply for these awards.
Travel Awards In Support of Diversity & Inclusion
As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive community, the AOS and SCO–SOC are proud to offer additional travel awards supporting individuals from underrepresented groups (based on any attribute, including disability, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, etc.) and/or those who have made significant contributions towards fostering a diverse and inclusive community. Membership in the AOS or the SCO–SOC is not required to be eligible for these awards. Students and postdocs (as described above) who wish to be considered for these awards should select the appropriate option in the application process below (a supplemental essay is required).
NEW: Latin America and Caribbean Travel Awards
The AOS is proud to offer additional travel awards supporting individuals who are from, reside, and study in Latin America and the Caribbean. Membership in the AOS or the SCO–SOC is not required to be eligible for these awards. Students and postdocs who wish to be considered for these awards should select the appropriate option in the application process below.
Preparing a Budget
Travel funding is primarily for the purpose of defraying expenses for transportation to and from the conference. However, some funding sources may provide funding beyond strict travel (e.g., accommodations, meals, registration costs, etc.), particularly to individuals of greatest need. In the application, you will be asked to provide detailed budget requests in two categories: transportation and lodging. Transportation requests are limited to estimated costs associated with travel to and from the annual meeting, including airfare, ground transportation (shuttles/taxis/ride-share, bus, train, etc.), and/or rental car and fuel.
Application Details
All applications for travel awards must be submitted through the AOS & SCO–SOC 2023 Travel Award Submission Portal. If you are presenting an oral or poster presentation at the conference (which greatly increases chances of receiving an award, particularly for students and postdocs), you should describe your intended participation in the AOS & SCO–SOC 2023 conference
Applicants for Diversity & Inclusion awards must also complete a short, one-paragraph essay describing how their attendance and/or their efforts outside of the conference (e.g., research, outreach, conservation) would contribute to equity, diversity, and inclusion at the conference or within ornithology in general.
Travel award applications from international travelers requiring a visa must be submitted by 31 January to be considered for the initial round of funding. Thereafter, applications for international travelers will be considered on a rolling basis until all funding has been disbursed. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, 15 March 2023.
Other information required in the application process includes:
- Current academic standing (e.g., pre-college, undergrad, MS, Ph.D., postdoc, between degrees)
- Anticipated graduation month and year
- Past travel funding from either the AOS or SCO–SOC
- Travel budget request (see Accommodations & Travel Resources page for lodging information)
- Location that the applicant is traveling from (city, state or province, and country)
- Institutional affiliation (some awards are restricted to those from U.S. institutions)
- Countries of residence and citizenship (some awards are restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
Questions?
For questions regarding Travel Awards, please complete this Google form or contact the appropriate representatives by email using the subject line:
“AOS & SCO–SOC Travel Awards – Inquiry Regarding ______________”
For AOS Travel Awards
Jen Walsh: jlw395@cornell.edu
For Diversity & Inclusion Travel Awards
Sahas Barve: sahasbarve@gmail.com and Nancy Chen: nancy.chen@rochester.edu
For Latin America and Caribbean Travel Awards
Viviana Ruiz Gutierrez: vr45@cornell.edu
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