GLI Funding Opportunities - Graduate School | Graduate School

Graduate School Conference Travel Grant

Nature of the Grant: Students are encouraged to present their research at major regional, national, and international conferences. The Graduate School Travel Grant to Present Research will provide up to $1,000 in travel support for graduate students presenting their research at major meetings and conferences. Students may apply for one travel grant per budget year (July 1 - June 30) for domestic or international travel. Students are allowed a total of three travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt.

25-26 Application: Travel period - July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
26-27 Application: Travel period - July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

26-27 Application

Eligibility
To apply, applicants:
- Must be a Graduate School student (PhD, MA, MFA, MLAS, & MS).
- Must be first author and presenter of research conducted at Vanderbilt.
- Must be attending a major regional, national, or international conference.
- Receive confirmation from their faculty advisor that the Travel Grant funds are needed for the travel outlined in the application and certify that the proposed travel grant budget includes all available funds (in InfoReady)
- Have authorization from their department prior to travel (application will require Director of Graduate Studies approval).
- Must begin their travel in the year the grant is awarded (grants are awarded per budget year July 1-June 30).
- Must use the award for the conference listed in this application.
- Submit applications two weeks prior to travel.
- Applicants may not receive more than two Graduate School award disbursements during one budget year (July 1 - June 30).
  - This includes the Lacy-Fischer Interdisciplinary Research Grant, Dissertation Enhancement Grant, Graduate School Travel Grant, Professional Development & Training Grant, and Programming Grant.
- Cannot have received a prior travel grant during the academic year.
- Cannot have received more than 2 prior travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt.
Guidelines
Complete all parts of the InfoReady application, attach a copy of your abstract with the full author list included, and upload documentation from the conference organizers confirms your abstract has been selected.** Grants are limited to $1,000. Additionally:
- Airfare must be booked in World Travel/Concur.
- International travel must be registered: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/global/travel-registration/
**Graduate students in the Creative Writing program: In lieu of presenting original research, students must be a Vanderbilt representative at a premiere creative writing conference (ex: The Association of Writers & Writing Programs) as (1) a presenter at the Bookfair or (2) a current editor of The Nashville Review. In place of an abstract, the student must submit a statement of purpose (1-page) that outlines their role at the conference and how participation will benefit both them and the University. For conference documentation, please provide documentation of participation in the conference and/or proof of participation on The Nashville Review.

Dissertation Enhancement Grants

The GLI will provide up to $2,000 for research expenses related to a student’s doctoral thesis. Grants are designed for PhD students with outstanding potential to accelerate progress on their research by adding depth and/or breadth to their dissertations. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis. 

Grant Schedule	Fall 2026 RFA	Spring 2027 RFA
Funding Period	July 1 - Dec. 31, 2026	Jan. 1 - June 30, 2027
Application Opens	April 6, 2026	October 5, 2026
Application Deadline	April 27, 2026	October 26, 2026
Awards Announced	mid-June	mid-December

Eligibility
To be considered, the applicant must:
- Be engaged in full-time dissertation research. Preference will be given to PhD candidates (students who have passed their PhD qualifying examination and have an approved dissertation proposal). However, all PhD students in good academic standing who have completed one full academic year in the Graduate School at the time of application are eligible to apply.
- Must be an active and enrolled student during the funding period.
- Have completed one full year in the Graduate School at the time of application.
- Have authorization from their department (application will require Director of Graduate Studies approval).
- Not have received more than two Dissertation Enhancement Grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt.
- Not have received more than two Graduate School award disbursements during one budget year (July 1-June 30). This includes the Dissertation Enhancement Grant, Graduate School Travel Grant, Lacy-Fischer Interdisciplinary Research Grant, Professional Development and Training Grant, and Programming Grant.
Guidelines
- Grants are limited to $2,000, and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
- The GLI reserves the right to award less than the full sum requested by successful applicants, based on the degree of need demonstrated by the proposal and budget, the number of successful applications, and the total available funds.
- These awards are not a substitute for, nor a supplement to, graduate stipends, and they may not be used to fund credit-bearing coursework.
- Personnel, participant reimbursement, and gift cards are not allowable expenses.
- Award funds will be provided via procurement to departments, iLab, or reimbursement.
- Funds may only be used as proposed in the application.
- Proposed research activities must be completed within the funding period outlined above.
- Applicants must be prepared to move forward with the proposed work if awarded a grant. Funds may not be applied retroactively.
- We ask that students be responsible stewards of GLI resources. Students who apply for a grant must be prepared to use the funds as proposed. Failure to use the funding, barring extenuating circumstances, may disqualify recipients from receiving future awards.

Dissertation Enhancement Grants FAQs

What is the selection criteria for the GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grants?
Dissertation Enhancement Grants are available to students for adding a unique element to their dissertation that enhances the work by increasing its depth or breadth beyond the basic requirements of their dissertation committee. The most important component of the application is to demonstrate that the award will support work that goes beyond the scope of the dissertation committees requirements. Funds should not be used to support fundamental components of the dissertation. Student should ask themselves, “If I did not add this component to my thesis would it still be accepted?” If the answer is no, it will not be a strong application. 
The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:
- Research Description: Does the research proposal present well-developed questions? How compelling is the significance of the project, and is there evidence of high-quality, completed work?
- Enhancement Potential: How well does the application justify the enhancement? Are the project goals clear and feasible, and there is a compelling argument for adding depth or breadth to the existing research
- Budget Justification: Is the budget justification clear and rational? Has the applicant thoroughly researched the costs and sought cost reduction measures? Are there no alternative funding sources available for this work?
If I am not a PhD Candidate, can I apply?

Yes, all PhD students in good academic standing are eligible to apply. However, the dissertation enhancement grant does not support fundamental dissertation research. For this reason, preference will be given to PhD candidates – students who have an approved dissertation proposal – engaged in full-time dissertation research, as it is expected that candidates have a clear understanding of what is fundamental to completing their dissertation and what is an extra element that will enhance the essential elements required by their committee. All PhD students are eligible to apply, to accommodate students who are well into their research but who have not completed their candidacy requirements. In these cases, the applicant should address their candidacy status in the rationale section of the application, or they can ask their letter writer can do so in their recommendation (preferable as the rationale is a critical part of the application and space is at a premium).
How can Dissertation Enhancement Grant funds be used?
Examples of appropriate uses for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant include:
- Travel to sites of unique sources of research material, archives, and libraries.
- Consultation or collaborative work with experts in the area of the student’s research when such support is not available at Vanderbilt, for example, learning a new research methodology or interviewing an author whom the student is studying.
- Participation in a non credit-bearing specialty course or short course that will broaden the students understanding of research techniques, methods, or concepts that will enhance current dissertation work.
- Unique services not available at the university, such as sophisticated data or chemical analyses.
- The purchase of specialized small equipment items, supplies, and data sets; only if funds for such items are not available from other sources (adviser’s grant, departmental funds)
Please note that personnel. participant reimbursement, and gift cards are not allowable expenses.
Can the Dissertation Enhancement Grant be used for travel?

If travel is heavily focused on the applicants dissertation AND it adds an element that enhances their dissertation work, they should apply for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant. Please note, the purpose of travel must add to the dissertation (short course, traveling to archives, etc.) it cannot be a fundamental part of the dissertation. Students should ask themselves, “If I did not add this component to my thesis, would it still be accepted?” If the answer is no, they should not apply. If the primary purpose of travel is for professional or academic development (leadership workshop, learning skills, a conference that broadly applies to their research work, etc.) that will build the applicant’s skill set beyond their dissertation work, this travel would be better suited for a GLI Professional Development & Training Grant.  Conference travel where students will present their research is supported by the Graduate School Travel Grant and the Graduate Student Council Travel Grant.
Can grant funds be used for Vanderbilt Internal CORES services?

Yes, grant funds can be used for CORES services. However, students need to be aware of the lag time for expensing in the CORES system. It may take a month or two for charges to be expensed and all costs must be expensed within the fiscal year their grant is awarded.  Therefore, all CORES services must be completed and expensed by April 30th.
Can I apply for a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant and a GLI Professional Development & Training grant in the same grant cycle?

Students can submit an application for a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant and a GLI Professional Development & Training grant in the same grant cycle. However, they must fund different activities. If they are traveling, they must select the grant that is most aligned with the purpose of travel (see “Can the Dissertation Enhancement Grant be used for Travel?”).
Are references required in the dissertation research description? If, so do they count toward the page limit (2 pages)? 

There is no formal requirement to include references. The use of references is largely dependent on the content applicants include in this section of the application. If you choose to use them, they will count toward the page limit. In the past applicants have used highly abbreviated citation formats.
Can figures be included in the research or enhancement description? If so, do they will they count toward the page limit (2 pages)?

Figures may be used. If you choose to use them, they will count toward the page limit.
How will the award funds be dispersed?

Award funds will either be dispersed directly to the award recipient as a stipend or they will be provided directly to vendors via the Oracle procurement system (lab supplies, CORES analysis, etc.). The grant administrator will coordinate with recipients regarding disbursement at the time of the award. If you are an international student, there may be tax implications for stipend payments. Please contact ITO to determine tax obligations.

GLI Professional Development & Training Grants

The GLI will provide up to $1,000 of support for Graduate School students seeking non-credit-bearing professional development and training opportunities to further develop their academic and professional skills. Eligible activities include, but are not limited to, training workshops, short courses, and conferences (where the student has not submitted an abstract*). Additionally, opportunities that will broaden the applicant’s skillset beyond their academic field of study (e.g., leadership training, project management short course) are encouraged.

Grant Schedule	Fall 2026 RFA	Spring 2027 RFA
Funding Period	July 1 - Dec. 31, 2026	Jan. 1 - June 30, 2027
Application Opens	April 6, 2026	October 5, 2026
Application Deadline	April 27, 2026	October 26, 2026
Awards Announced	mid-June	mid-December

Eligibility
To be considered, the applicant must:
- Be a registered Graduate School student (PhD, MS, MA, MFA, MLAS) in good standing.
- Must be an active and enrolled student during the funding period.
- Have completed one full academic year in the Graduate School.
- Have authorization from their department (application will require Director of Graduate Studies approval).
- Not have received more than one Professional Development and Training Grant per budget year (July 1-June 30).
  - During their Graduate School tenure, master's students are eligible to receive one Professional Development and Training Grant, and PhD students are eligible to receive two Professional Development and Training Grants.
- Not have received more than two Graduate School award disbursements during one budget year (July 1-June 30), including the Dissertation Enhancement Grant, Graduate School Travel Grant, Lacy-Fischer Interdisciplinary Research Grant, Professional Development and Training Grant, and Programming Grant.
- *Applications for conference travel funded by the Graduate School Travel Grant are not eligible for Professional Development and Training Grant funding.
Guidelines
- Grants are limited to $1,000, and all charges must comply with Vanderbilt finance policies.
- The GLI reserves the right to award less than the full sum requested by successful applicants, based on the degree of need demonstrated by the proposal and budget, the number of successful applications, and the total available funds.
- These awards are not a substitute for, nor a supplement to, graduate stipends, and they may not be used to fund credit-bearing coursework.
- Personnel, participant reimbursement, and gift cards are not allowable expenses.
- Award funds will be provided to the awardee via reimbursement or to the department via procurement.
- Funds may only be used as proposed in the application.
- Proposed activities must be completed within the funding period outlined above.
- Applicants must be prepared to move forward with the proposed work if awarded a grant. Funds may not be applied retroactively.
- We ask that students be responsible stewards of GLI resources. Students who apply for the grant must be prepared to use the funds as proposed. If the awardee cannot move forward with the proposed activity, they must notify the GLI immediately. Recipients who fail to use their funding, barring extenuating circumstances, will be ineligible for future Professional Development and Training Grants.

Professional Development & Training Grants FAQs

What are the selection criteria for the GLI Professional Development & Training Grants?
Professional Development & Training Grants are available to students pursuing unique opportunities to further their professional development and/or scholastic goals and interests. This includes opportunities to explore their broader field of study (beyond the focused scope of their current research projects), to explore related fields of research, and/or to acquire new skills (professional development). The most important component of the application is to demonstrate how the award will broaden the student’s skill set, provide professional development, and/or further scholarly goals beyond the dissertation.
The selection committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria:
- Clarity & Purpose of Proposed Activity: Is the application compelling and clearly defined?
- Proposed Impact: What impact will the proposed activity have on the student’s professional profile?
- Academic Preparation & Engagement: Is the applicant academically prepared to participate in this activity?
- Budget: Is the budget feasible and justified?
Is travel supported by the GLI Professional Development & Training Grant?
Yes. The GLI Professional Development & Training Grant was developed to support academic and professional skill development among graduate students. This includes training workshops, short courses, attending conferences where the student has not submitted an abstract, etc. Additionally, opportunities that will broaden the applicants skill set beyond their academic field of study (i.e. leadership training, project management short course, etc.) are encouraged. If students need to travel to attend the proposed activities, travel cost should be included in the grant proposal.
Examples of successful applications include:
- Conference Attendance
  Lasers & Electro-Optics, SciPy, ASCE Younger Member Leadership Symposia, and Society for Pastoral Theology Annul Meeting
- Workshops & Trainings
  fMRI Wksp, Longitudinal Structural Equation Modeling Wksp, Seamus Heaney Centre Poetry Wksp, Training in Survey Methodology, Training Symposium on International Archives, Oral History Training Wksp, NSF Finding Your Inner Modeler III Wksp
- Short Courses (non-credit bearing)
  Predictive Multi-scale Design, International Critical Theory Summer School, Social Conditioning, Center for Astrostatistics summer course for astronomers
What grants are available to Vanderbilt graduate students that support travel?
- The GLI Professional Development and Training Grant: $1,000 available support for graduate students seeking professional development and training opportunities to further develop their academic and professional skills.
- Graduate Student Travel Grant to Present Research: a $1,000 grant available through the graduate school for students traveling to conferences where they have submitted an abstract and they will be presenting.
- Travel grant through the Graduate Student Council: a $1,000 grant available to active members of GSC who are traveling to conferences where they have submitted an abstract and they will be presenting.
- If a PhD student is traveling in a capacity that will enhance their dissertation beyond the work outlined in their PhD proposal, they may be eligible for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant.
How do I determine which grant is best aligned with my purpose of travel?

Travel for professional or academic development (leadership workshop, learning skills, a conference that broadly applies to their research work, etc.) that builds the applicants skill set beyond their dissertation work is best suited for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.
Conference travel where students have submitted an abstract and will be presenting their research is supported by the Graduate School Travel Grant and the Graduate Student Council Travel Grant.
Travel is heavily focused on the applicants dissertation AND it adds an element that enhances their dissertation work, is best suited for a Dissertation Enhancement Grant.
I am traveling to a conference, which grants should I apply to?
If you are presenting (submitted an abstract) at the conference:
- The Graduate Student Travel Grant to Present Research
- The GSC Travel Grant – if you are an active member of the GSC
- Also, professional societies affiliated with the conference may offer financial support.
If you are NOT presenting at the conference:
GLI Professional Development and Training Grant – if you can provide a strong justification for how this conference will benefit your professional and academic development.
Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am traveling to a conference to present my research (I have submitted an abstract)?

No. If a student has submitted an abstract to present at a conference, that travel is not eligible for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant. The GLI Professional Development and Training grant was developed to provide support for travel that is focused on supporting skill development beyond the dissertation, for which funds are not as readily available. For travel to present at a conference there are several funding mechanism available, including funds available through the Graduate School and the Graduate Student Council (for active members). Additionally, departments and professional societies may offer financial support for traditional conference travel.
Note: If there is a workshop, short course, etc. associated with the conference where you are presenting that is available at an additional cost (above the basic conference registration fee), a student could apply for the workshop registration fee, but only the registration fee. Students must decide is this is a prudent use of one of their two available opportunities to receive a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.
Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am traveling to an internship?

Applicants can apply for travel to and from internships. HOWEVER, they must make a compelling justification for the benefits of travel AND financial need (unpaid internship).
Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant if I am travel to a field location for research?

The GLI Professional Development and Training grant was developed to provide support for professional and academic skill development beyond the dissertation, which tends to have less funding mechanisms available. Field research is narrowly focused on a student’s research and for that reason would not be a compelling application. If the proposed field work is enhancing your dissertation, you may want to consider the Dissertation Enhancement Grant.
Can I apply for both the GLI Professional Development and Training grant and the Graduate School travel grant to fund the same travel?

No. The GLI Professional Development and Training grant and the Graduate School travel grant support different travel purposes. The Graduate School travel grant is for traditional conference travel to a conference where a students has submitted an abstract and will be presenting their research. That type of travel is not eligible for funding under the GLI Professional Development and Training Grant.
Can I apply for a GLI Professional Development and Training Grant and a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant in the same year?

Students can submit an application for a GLI Travel Grant and a GLI Dissertation Enhancement Grant in the same year. However, they must fund different activities. If a student is traveling, they must select the grant that is most aligned with the purpose of travel (see above).
If I received a GLI Travel Grant in 2019 or 2020, does that count towards the GLI Professional Development & Training Grant limit?

YES. GLI Travel Grants were re-branded as Professional Development & Training grants in the fall of 2020, in an effort to include a wider array of professional development and training opportunities that do not necessarily require travel. Therefore, these grants are part of the same grant program and count towards your grant totals.
How will the award funds be dispersed?

Award funds will be dispersed directly to the award recipient as a stipend payment. If you are an international student, there may be tax implications for stipend payments.