The CAS Research Travel Award supports faculty travel that significantly advances research visibility, fosters important collaborations, or enhances the impact of CAS scholarship. This program prioritizes high-impact travel activities that go beyond standard conference attendance, including international research presentations, organizing scholarly meetings, initiating and advancing research partnerships, and conducting essential research activities.
| Amount | Up to $5,000 per application |
| Deadlines | December 1 and April 1 (applications open one month prior) |
| Eligibility | Any grant-eligible CAS faculty (tenured, tenure-track, research, professor of practice) |
| Timeline | All travel and expenses must be completed within one year of award notification. Notification of awards will generally be within 4 to 6 weeks from the application deadline. |
| Limit | One award as Principal Investigator per fiscal year |
What We Fund
This grant supports international travel and high-impact domestic travel with clear scholarly purpose. We encourage applications for travel that advances your research visibility, impact, or collaborative opportunities. Eligible travel activities include:
International and High-Impact Research Presentations
- Presenting papers, posters, or creative work at conferences or events
- Delivering keynote addresses or invited lectures at conferences or events
- Serving as a panelist, discussant, or session chair at conferences or events
- Presenting at highly selective or prestigious national conferences where you have a significant role
Leadership and Organization
- Organizing or co-organizing symposia, workshops, or conference sessions
- Serving as an officer or in a leadership role at professional meetings
- Chairing or participating in international committee meetings that advance your field
Research Collaboration and Development
- Initiating or advancing international research collaborations
- Conducting essential archival, field, or laboratory research that requires significant travel
- Research visits to collaborate with scholars at international institutions
- Site visits for grant development or project planning
- Participating in intensive research collaborations or partnerships
This is not an exhaustive list. If your travel significantly advances your research impact, visibility, or collaborative opportunities, we encourage you to apply.
What Makes a Strong Proposal
The CAS Research Advisory Committee (CASRAC) evaluates proposals based on:
Impact and Significance
- The importance of the travel activity to your research trajectory
- Potential to enhance your visibility and the reputation of CAS research
- Quality and prestige of the venue, conference, or collaboration
- Expected scholarly outcomes from the travel
Active Scholarly Role
- Clear demonstration of your active participation (presenting, organizing, collaborating)
- Evidence of leadership or significant contribution
- Potential for meaningful intellectual exchange or collaboration
Career Development
- How the travel advances your long-term research goals
- Opportunities for professional recognition and networking
- Alignment with your program of research
Feasibility
- Realistic budget and timeline
- Clear plan for maximizing the scholarly benefit of the travel
While priority is given to early-career faculty, we welcome applications from faculty at all career stages. We understand that disciplines vary in how research develops and what constitutes meaningful impact.
How to Apply
Application Deadline
Applications are due December 1 or April 1 each year and must be submitted through NuRamp.
To Submit Your Application
- Access NuRamp at https://nuramp.nebraska.edu/login
- Select "Internal Competitions" from the upper left menu
- Select "Applications" and "Add a New Application"
- Search for "CAS Research Travel Awards"
- Complete the application and budget pages
- Route to your department chair for endorsement
- Application will be automatically routed to the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education
Application Components
Submit the following materials as one combined pdf:
1. Description of Proposed Travel Activity (Maximum 1,000 words)
Write for a general academic audience. The review committee may not have specialized expertise in your field, so use clear language while providing enough detail to evaluate the merit of your travel.
Your description should include:
a. Brief description of the travel activity
- Where will you travel and what will you do?
- What is your specific role or contribution?
b. Rationale and significance
- Why is this travel important now?
- How will it enhance your research visibility or impact?
- What makes this opportunity particularly valuable?
c. Career development significance
- How does this travel fit into your overall research goals?
- What professional opportunities does this create?
- How will you leverage this travel for future research activities?
d. Timeline and expected outcomes
- When will the travel occur?
- What scholarly outcomes do you expect? (e.g., new collaborations, publication opportunities, grant development, invited future engagements, expanded research network)
2. Abbreviated CV or Biosketch
May be in any format but must include:
- Summary of education
- Current and prior support (internal and external funding)
3. Budget and Budget Justification
- Provide a clear dollar amount and a brief justification for all travel expenses
- Include details such as: transportation, accommodations, meals (per diem rates), registration fees if applicable
- Review NU Travel Policy: https://nebraska.edu/travel
- Budget may not exceed $5,000
- Note, in addition to including your budget and budget justification in your combined pdf, there will also be a place to enter basic budget information on the NuRamp budget page.
After You Apply
Review Process
- CASRAC reviews all applications and makes funding recommendations
- Department chair input may be solicited to provide a rank order based on potential impact if multiple applications from their unit are submitted.
- Funding is competitive and limited; the number of awards depends on proposal quality and requested amounts
Special Approvals
If your research involves human subjects, animals, radioactive materials, or recombinant DNA technology, you must obtain appropriate UNL clearance before travel. Contact the relevant office:
- Institutional Review Board (IRB)
- Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
Please also review export control requirements.
If You're Awarded
Setting Up Your Grant
Work with your department business manager to set up a cost object for your grant expenses. Contact Vanja Flachsbart (vflachsbart2@unl.edu) with questions about the business aspects of your grant.
Timeline
All travel must be completed within one year of your award notification date.
Travel Requirements
All university travel policies apply. Failure to follow these requirements will result in non-reimbursement.
Pre-Trip Authorization
- A pre-trip authorization is required prior to all travel
- Submit authorization well in advance of your travel dates
University Travel Policy Full policy details
Final Report
A brief report summarizing your activities and accomplishments is due no later than four weeks after your grant end date. This report is required to complete reimbursement of expenses. A Microsoft Form with report requirements will be provided to all awardees.
Important Policies
Funding Restrictions
- Faculty may submit only one application as Principal Investigator per grant cycle across all CAS internal grant mechanisms. This means you cannot apply to multiple programs (e.g., Research Impact and Enhancement AND Research Travel Awards) or submit multiple applications to the same program during the same cycle.
- Faculty may accept only one CAS internal grant per fiscal year. This means:
- If awarded in the Fall cycle, you may not apply again until the next fiscal year
- If not awarded in the Fall cycle, you may apply during the Spring cycle
- You may not hold two CAS internal grants simultaneously
- You may not accept both CAS Research Travel Awards and regular CAS faculty travel support for the same travel activity.
Questions?
Research and Grant Questions
Eve Brank, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, associatedeanbrank@unl.edu
Business and Budget Questions
Vanja Flachsbart, vflachsbart2@unl.edu
Potential Questions
Can I use this for domestic conference travel?
Yes, but only if you have a significant role beyond presenting a standard paper or poster. Examples include: organizing a session or symposium, serving in a leadership capacity, or presenting at a highly selective national venue. Standard paper presentations at U.S. conferences are unlikely to be funded.
What if I'm presenting at an international conference?
International conferences where you are presenting are eligible. Be sure to clearly describe your presentation topic and the conference's significance in your application.
Can I combine this with other funding sources?
Yes, you may use other funding sources to supplement travel costs that exceed $5,000. Disclose all funding sources in your application. As noted, you may not accept both CAS Research Travel Awards and regular CAS faculty travel support for the same travel activity.
What if my travel plans change after receiving the award?
Contact the Associate Dean's office immediately if travel dates or destinations change. Significant changes may require approval.
What if I need to extend my grant beyond one year?
Travel is expected to be completed within one year of award notification. If circumstances require additional time, you may request a no-cost extension from the Associate Dean for Research. Contact the dean’s office early if you anticipate needing an extension.
How do I document the "impact" of my conference attendance?
In your application, describe the conference's prestige, your role, and expected networking or collaboration opportunities.
Can I apply for travel to multiple locations?
Yes, if the multiple trips are part of a coherent research plan and described in the proposal. However, the total budget cannot exceed $5,000 and all travel must be completed within the grant period.