Eligibility and Selection

All student members of the Clay Minerals Society are eligible for the Travel Grant Program. Applications will be judged on a competitive basis. Applicants selected will be nominated by a five-member CMS committee and approved by the CMS Council. There is no restriction with regard to nationality.

Students may apply for both the Research and Travel grants in one year. Students may receive no more than a total of two Travel Grants and two Research Grants.

Application

The application for a CMS Student Travel Grant will consist of the following: (1) the completed CMS Student Travel Grant application form (click to download a copy of the application in MSWord or PDF format), (2) a copy of the abstract of one (and only one) paper for which the student will be the presenting author, (3) a brief, 1-page statement from the student's major professor supporting the student's application. The professor's evaluation should be mailed or e-mailed separately. Applications that exceed the 3-page limit will be disqualified.

Student Travel Grant applications muct be received by 31 March 2009. This may or may not correspond to the abstract deadline for the meeting. Note that including an abstract as part of the student grant application is not the same as submitting an abstract to the annual meeting. Travel Grant applicants must submit their abstract to the meeting organizers as well! Papers need not be accepted by meeting organizers before the Travel Grant application is submitted.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application 5 to 6 weeks after the applications are due. If you have not received notification within two weeks before the annual meeting, please contact the Society Office.

Use of Funds

Travel Grants can be requested for up to $1000 per grant for intracontinental travel or $1500 for intercontinental travel. Funds can be used to pay for: (1) meeting registration at the student rate, (2) field trip(s) that are part of the meeting, (3) CMS banquet ticket, (4) pre-meeting workshop, (5) travel, and (6) lodging. Expenses for meals (except for the CMS banquet) cannot be claimed (we expect that you will eat whether or not you attend the meeting).

Travel funds will be reimbursed during or after the meeting for which the funds were requested. Reimbursement requests will require receipts to document expenses. Only allowable costs actually incurred will be reimbursed, up to the maximum amount awarded to the individual. (For example, if travel costs are less than originally anticipated, reimbursement will be for the actual travel costs, not the amount originally requested.)

Applicants will be informed of the results within 5 to 6 weeks after the Grant deadline. Grant funds will be distributed to students at the annual banquet. Attendance at the banquet is required.

An individual may request only one Travel Grant in any one year, and an individual can receive no more than two separate Travel Grants during his or her educational career. Travel Grants may not be used to support travel to other scientific meetings.

Receipts for actual travel expenses may be required. Only allowable costs actually incurred will be reimbursed. Unused funds must be immediately returned to the Society.

Submit your application by e-mail if possible. Send your application to cms@clays.org. If you do not have access to e-mail, please mail or fax all application materials to: The Clay Minerals Society, 3635 Concorde Pkwy Ste 500, Chantilly, VA 20151-1125 USA, Phone: +1 (703) 652-9960, FAX: +1 (703) 652-9951.