Conference Travel
Notice to Recent Applicants: Between September 7, 2025, and October 3, 2025, our online Travel Application form was not functioning correctly. If you submitted an online Travel Application between these dates, please resubmit your application to ensure that it is received and processed by our office. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this issue may have caused. The issue has been resolved, and the form is now functioning as expected. Thank you for your understanding.
The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) offers support for conference travel to tenured or tenure-track UW–Madison faculty and academic staff with permanent PI status. If you are a student seeking conference travel funding, please visit this website for possible funding sources: https://grad.wisc.edu/funding/grants-competition/.
OVCR conference travel funding is not intended to cover 100% of the expenses, but rather to defray part of the cost of attending. Eligibility is calculated separately for each type of conference. You may apply at any time during the year, but the request must be made prior to conference travel. If funding is approved, an award letter detailing the account coding will be sent to the recipient and department administrator.
As with all Funds FD0135, expenses for conference travel should be processed through your department and college/ school. Reimbursement can be made only for expenses related to the approved conference and must follow University Travel Policy.
Please note that the review process for all conference travel requests will be normally completed within 10 to 14 business days. For questions regarding conference travel, contact Shawo Tashi at shawo.tashi@wisc.edu.
Domestic Travel
Normal eligibility rules for domestic conference travel (one domestic conference in the most current two fiscal years) are in effect.
OVCR conference travel funding is not intended to cover 100% of the expenses, but rather to defray part of the cost of attending. Eligibility is limited for domestic conference travel support to one meeting in the most current two fiscal years. The amount awarded is $1,000.
The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for domestic conference travel support:
- Travel must be within the 50 states, U.S. Territories and Commonwealths, Canada, or Mexico.
- The conference must make a strong, positive contribution to your research.
- Conference presentation must include at least of the following: talk, poster session, session leader or discussant.
- Allowable expenses include registration, transportation, allowable lodging, and meal costs not provided by other sources of support.
International Travel
International Travel
Eligibility is limited for international travel support to one meeting in the most current three-year fiscal period. Support of international travel is not automatic; each request is reviewed by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Research of your respective division. The amount awarded is $2,000.
Applications for travel to the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths, Canada, or Mexico will not be accepted under the international travel program as these are considered domestic travel. Please see the domestic travel program.
The following criteria must be met in order to be considered for international conference travel support:
- Significant participation (ordinarily, an invited presentation) in a major international meeting.
- Poster presentations and teaching a class or seminar do not qualify.
- Conference attendees should reflect diverse countries and backgrounds; no one nationality should predominate.
- Allowable expenses include registration, transportation, allowable lodging, and meal costs not provided by other sources of support.
CISI is required for all employees traveling abroad for university purposes.
For more information on this requirement, see the Business Services International Travel CISI webpage.