Below are current sources of travel/conference funding for SPHSC Graduate Students (undergraduates are not eligible for this funding). Students should contact Student Services with any questions regarding graduate student travel funding at shgradv@uw.edu.
SPHSC Lesley B. and Steven G. Olswang Endowed Graduate Student Conference Fund
Summary: These awards have been made possible by generous contributions to the Lesley B. and Steven G. Olswang Endowed Graduate Student Conference Fund. The purpose of this endowment is to provide graduate students in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences with financial assistance for travel, preparation of materials and/or registration when presenting scholarly work at national and international conferences. Expenses related to online conference presentations will be accommodated, provided other conditions of eligibility (see below) are met.
Students: M.S., Ph.D.
Eligibility: To apply, students must be enrolled and active in an SPHSC graduate degree program (e.g., cannot be on leave). Students must have a direct role in the scholarly work and the resulting presentation, either as author/co-author, presenter/co-presenter. Work must be completed at the University of Washington. Students do not have to be confirmed presenters at the time of application, but must have submitted their abstract in order to apply. Confirmation of presentation acceptance is required prior to receiving funding.
Funding Amount: Up to $500 for national conferences and up to $750 for international conferences.
Deadline: Anyone interested in receiving travel support during the 2025-2026 academic year, must submit their application by the last day of Summer 2026.
UW Graduate School Conference Presentation Awards
Summary: The UW Graduate School provides travel awards to assist graduate students with travel fares to major national or international conferences so they may present papers or posters, or to serve as invited speakers. Funds may be used only for airfare or fares supporting alternative modes of transportation (e.g., mileage, taxis); they may not be used for registration, hotels, food or other travel expenses.
Students: M.S., Ph.D.
Eligibility: Each student must be confirmed as a presenter before funds are requested, and each student must be in a degree program and enrolled in courses at the time of travel. Priority will be given to graduate students who do not have other significant funding available for the travel and/or who have not received travel funding in the past.
Funding Amount: $300 maximum for virtual/domestic conferences. $500 maximum for international conferences.
Deadlines: Applications are reviewed within two weeks of request. Award requests are due prior to the conference. Requests must be submitted by department personnel via MyGrad. Conference awards will not be awarded retroactively.
UW Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) Travel Funding
Summary: In an effort to help improve graduate and professional student life at the University of Washington, the GPSS Travel Grants Program contributes funds to qualifying individuals’ travel expenses for active conference participation in the U.S. and abroad. Students whose conference participation might otherwise be unfunded, have strong academic credentials, and are making fair progress towards their respective degrees are encouraged to apply.
Students: M.S., Ph.D.
Eligibility: Active participation (presenting a paper or poster, chairing a session or panel, etc.) at an academic conference is mandatory and proof of acceptance is required with this application. Eligible students must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing in order to apply for this travel grant. Students may only receive GPSS travel funding once every three years (with a maximum of two awards during one’s UW student career).
Funding Amount: The amount of funding awarded will be based on conference location, with typical awards being up to $300 for virtual/domestic conferences and $500 for international conferences.
Deadlines: Application materials are reviewed quarterly. Students may apply for this grant up to one quarter prior to the scheduled date of the conference event, or during the quarter in which the conference event will occur. The Applicant is responsible for ensuring all components of the application are received by the GPSS Budget Director via email (gpssbs@uw.edu) no later than 11:59 PM on the deadline. Late applications and applications missing any component will not be accepted.
GPSS Application Information Link
ASHA Audiology/Hearing Science Research Travel Awards (ARTA)
Summary: ASHA sponsors the Audiology/Hearing Science Research Travel Award (ARTA) for students interested in expanding their knowledge in audiology and/or hearing science by attending the ASHA Annual Convention in November. Experience the excitement of learning and sharing with others in attendanc
Students: Ph.D.
Eligibility: An individual is eligible to apply if he or she has not previously won this award and is enrolled in one of the following by the date of the annual Convention: 1) a clinical doctoral degree program (e.g., AuD) accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA), 2) a combined clinical doctoral/research doctoral degree program (e.g., AuD/PhD) in audiology or hearing science where the clinical doctoral degree program is accredited by the CAA, or 3) a research doctoral degree program (e.g., PhD) focusing on audiology, tinnitus, balance, or hearing science
Funding Amount: Up to 20 individuals will each receive a stipend of $750 and complimentary registration for the ASHA Annual Convention.
Due Date: May
ASHA Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award (RMPTA)
Summary: The Research Mentoring-Pair Travel Award (RMPTA) is given in conjunction with the Research Symposium, a day-long event held at the annual ASHA Convention. The award is designed to foster the professional development of students and early-career scientists who have expressed an interest in, or are pursuing, research careers in communication sciences and disorders. Each student or early-career scientist identifies a more experienced investigator and invites that individual to apply with him or her as a mentor-protégé pair.
Students: M.S., Ph.D.
Eligibility: An A protégé and mentor apply as a pair and must attend the Symposium together. The Symposium takes place all day Saturday at Convention.
Funding Amount: Awarded pairs will receive ASHA Convention registration fee waivers and a $1,000 stipend ($750 to the protégé and $250 to the mentor). The pairs engage in activities before, during, and after Convention.
Due Date: July
National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) Scholarship Foundation - Student Research & Conference Awards
NHCA Student Research Award
Summary: During the fall semester of each year NHCA will select up to two students or recent graduates in fields related to hearing loss prevention/hearing conservation at accredited US institutions for research awards. The awards are for completed research (such as dissertations, theses, and capstone projects) in the related fields. Recipients are expected to present their work at the upcoming or one of the future annual conventions of the NHCA.
Students: PhD
Eligibility: Applicant must have completed a thesis, dissertation or other research project that will benefit society with respect to hearing loss prevention/hearing conservation.
Funding Amount: The recipient(s) will receive $1,000 to support graduate-student research in hearing conservation/hearing loss prevention and up to $1,000 in additional funds for travel and registration expenses to present the funded research at a future annual NHCA conference
Due Date: November
NHCA Student Conference Award
Summary: The Scholarship Foundation of the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) is pleased to announce the availability of a limited number of student conference awards for the Annual NHCA Conference. The Student Conference Award (SCA) includes paid registration to the annual conference and a stipend of up to $1,000 for travel expenses. This one-time Award is available to students who are actively pursuing a graduate degree in a discipline related to hearing conservation and who are enrolled at least half-time in an accredited university program.
Students: PhD
Eligibility: The NHCA Annual Conference Award is available to individuals who are actively pursuing a graduate degree in a discipline related to hearing conservation and who are enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution.
Funding Amount: $1,000 and one year paid student membership of NHCA.
Due Date: November