What is a Travel Grant?
RSVP Travel Grants help to defray the costs of travel to RSVP’s annual conference for graduate students, adjunct/contingent lecturers, retirees, and independent scholars who do not have access to other sources of funding to support such travel. RSVP strives to spread the awards as widely as possible while ensuring they offer meaningful support for each recipient.
These grants are made possible by the bequest of Eileen Curran to support the dissemination of periodical research. A long-time member and supporter of RSVP, Eileen Curran was a pioneering researcher and Emerita Professor of English at Colby College. Our Graduate Student travel awards are named in memory of Barbara Quinn Schmidt and Josef Altholz, who were both pioneers in periodical studies and longtime active members. The William Scheuerle Travel Grants, named in honor of a founding member of RSVP and former editor of VPR, support independent and retired scholars to attend the RSVP conference.
RSVP does not require applicants to any grant, award, or prize to be a member of RSVP, but we urge all who receive funding and recognition to join our community by becoming a member of the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply?
You will be asked to indicate if you want to be considered for an RSVP Graduate Scholar or Independent Scholar/Retiree Award once your proposal is accepted for the conference. There is no separate application form.
Who decides on these grants?
The grants are adjudicated by the members of the conference program committee.
How are they decided?
If there are more applications for travel support than finances available, the conference program committee ranks conference abstracts according to:
- Originality/Significance/Potential of proposed topic
- Clarity and Cohesion of Proposal
The committee strives to support as many applicants as possible. Funding amounts may differ based on the distance applicants have to travel. If you have received a Travel Grant in the previous two years, applications from first-time recipients may be prioritized.
When will I hear if I have received a Travel Grant?
Your request for funding will be considered according to the broad criteria set out above and the program chair will communicate all decisions on awards approximately 8 weeks after the conference submission deadline.
When will I receive my Travel Grant?
Grant recipients can receive their funding in advance of the conference to support travel arrangements or by check at the conference. If the recipient is not in a position to travel to the conference, then the award is not paid.