Postdoc Travel Assistance Award Questions

Question

When should I apply for travel funding?

Answer

If you submitted your abstract to present your research work at a conference or professional meeting and you received notification that your abstract has been selected for presentation, you may apply now. Due to limited funding, we recommend you apply as soon as you receive notification. This will help you secure funds before they are depleted.

Question

I recently applied for funding and was waitlisted. Am I still eligible for funding if funds become available?

Answer

Yes. When a postdoc cancels for any reason, the funds they had been awarded are then distributed to the students on the waitlist on a first-come, first-served
basis.

Question

I applied for funding and was awarded funds; however, I had to cancel my trip and return the funds. Am I still eligible to apply for funding in the future?

Answer

Yes. If you did not use the funds awarded to you and you have not received funding previously, you are eligible to reapply.

Question

What is the maximum amount I can receive in PTAA support?

Answer

Postdocs can receive up to a maximum of $500 from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. These funds must be supported with a dollar-for-dollar match from University/Department funds (2500) or Research Funds (5000).

Question

Does the PTAA cover all travel-related expenses?

Answer

The assistance can cover airfare, car mileage in lieu of airfare, ground transportation, lodging, meeting registration, and abstract fee, not to exceed the awarded amount. Meals, per diem, poster expenses, and membership expenses are not covered.

Question

Can I apply for PTAA funding if I attend a workshop?

Answer

The PTAA is a flexible fund that can support various types of conference-related activities. These include:

• Presenting research papers or posters at in-person or virtual meetings organized by professional societies, universities, institutes, or other academic organizations.
• Presenting at an in-person or virtual workshop if a postdoc is presenting a research paper or poster.
• Attending a workshop (in-person or virtual) for professional development

Please remember that due to their online nature, virtual conference funding is limited to $200.

Question

I applied for funding and my application shows "Pending Coordinator and Chair Approval." Who should I contact if I have any questions regarding my application status?

Answer

If your application shows "Pending Coordinator and Chair Approval," you may contact your department's travel coordinator to inquire about the status. If the application shows "Pending PTAA Approval," then you can contact the PTAA Coordinator, Sabrina Smith, at sabrina.d.smith@utah.edu  or by phone at 801-213-2250

Question

If I use the PTAA for a virtual event, will I be eligible for travel assistance for in-person conferences?

Answer

Except under very rare circumstances, a postdoc is only eligible for one travel related award during their postdoc career at the University of Utah. Therefore, if you use the PTAA for a virtual event, you will NOT be able to use it again for an in-person event. When applying for travel funding, please consider carefully which award or program best serves your needs.

Question

Can I apply to attend a virtual conference even if I am not presenting?

Answer

Yes. If you would like to attend a virtual conference or meeting where you are not presenting, you will need to provide evidence of registration and a brief explanation of how this award will help your professional development.

Question

How will I be reimbursed for virtual conferences?

Answer

If the postdoc requires $200 or less to present their abstract, the postdoc or department will pay for the necessary fees upfront and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will then reimburse the appropriate Chartfield. The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will require a copy of the receipt in order to approve the reimbursement.