Each academic year, graduate students in the Department of English have the opportunity to apply for conference travel and summer funding.
Students are eligible to apply for conference travel, research, and professional advancement funding through the School of Humanities Dean’s Conference, Research, and Professional Advancement Fund. Please note that students in departments where funding for conferences and research is available, must first apply through their respective department, in accordance with its policies and timelines.
When applying to the department for funds, please adhere to the following guidelines:
- Students should be in good academic standing when applying for awards.
- Students must submit a one-page report to the department (Graduate Program Administrator) within 30 days of the completion of their travel.
- Travelers should be aware of and adhere to the Rice University policy for travel: POLICY 806 https://policy.rice.edu/806
- Students who travel internationally on Rice funds are required to register their trip with International SOS and the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (US residents only). Information and links for both programs are located at https://abroad.rice.edu/travel-registration.
Margret Ostrum Endowed Fund Research Award
This award is intended for students beyond coursework, seeking travel funds to support their dissertation research. It is NOT for conference travel, and funds must be returned if plans change or fall through.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS for Research Award:
- a current C.V.
- a 1-2 page statement detailing how travel to conduct research will support your dissertation, addressed to the Graduate Committee
- a detailed budget, which includes a list of applications to outside funding sources (please use this BUDGET TEMPLATE)
- allowable travel expenses: conference registration/membership, coach/economy airfare (including 1 checked bag), ground transportation, and lodging
- **AFTER TRAVEL**
- provide receipts for proof of travel
- write a short summary for the donors about how this award helped your work and research
- upload post travel documents to this Box folder
Priority deadline: October 20, 2025 at 12:00pm (Noon CST)
Secondary deadline: March 1, 2026 at 12:00pm (Noon CST)
Summer Research and Travel Award
The Department of English will award up to $3,000 each for students seeking funds to support their research, conference, or non-conference travel in the summer. Students applying for this award can be in any year of the program.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS for Summer Research and Travel Award:
- a current C.V.
- a 1-2 page statement detailing your research and a description of the resources you are planning to use
- a detailed budget, which includes a list of applications to outside funding sources (please use this BUDGET TEMPLATE)
- allowable travel expenses: conference registration/membership, coach/economy airfare (including 1 checked bag), ground transportation, and lodging.
Deadline to apply for Summer 2026: March 1, 2026 at 12:00pm (Noon CST)