STEM Conference Grants

STEM Conference Grants provide funding for Bates students who wish to present their research at scholarly conferences and professional meetings in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) disciplines, including  natural sciences, mathematics, neuroscience, environmental science, biomedical fields, and science education. The purpose of this grant program is to give undergraduates the opportunity to present their research in regional and national forums, and to meet with and learn from scholars and experts from other institutions.

DEADLINES FOR APPLICATION: DUE BY 11:59 PM ON THESE DATES:
October 1
December 1
February 1
May 1

On the recommendation of a faculty member, any enrolled Bates students may apply for STEM conference support. An enrolled Bates student is defined as a student enrolled in classes at the time of the application or the meeting, or who is participating in a Bates approved JYA or JSA program.

Recent alumni also are eligible to apply to present research conducted while at Bates, as long as the conference they plan to attend takes place no more than one (1) year after their graduation from the college. Preference in funding is given to students or alumni presenting thesis or senior capstone research. 

This grant program does not cover any costs incurred by the faculty member / research director.

Student budgets must be specific. They may include abstract submission fees and registration for conferences conducted remotely, and may also include ground and air travel, accommodations, and meals at $30/day for conferences held in person. Funds will not normally be awarded in excess of $500 per student for regional conferences and $1500 for national conferences. Students generally do not receive support for attending more than one conference in an academic year.

Applications must include: a completed application online form, an abstract of the research to be presented, the title, sponsoring organization, and dates of the conference; a description of not more than two double-spaced pages of the conference and the student’s reasons for wishing to present at the conference, a detailed budget, and the signature and comments of a faculty member or research director (either uploaded with all other materials OR sent separately to Alison Keegan, akeegan@bates.edu.  ALL APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY 11:59 PM on the DUE DATES ABOVE.

Awards are announced usually within two to three weeks of the deadline. For more information, contact Edili Lopez, Dean of the Faculty’s Office (elopez2@bates.edu)

Remember to save your receipts because we can’t reimburse you without them! For a complete list of guidelines, please visit this site. Reimbursements must be completed within two weeks of expenditures. All travel reimbursements must be submitted via Adobe Sign. Information can be found here.

After consulting with a faculty member, a student may apply for a STEM Conference Grant. Click here to apply!