Academic Travel Awards for Outstanding Students, Post-Doctoral Fellows and Junior Faculty Offered

Students, graduate students, post-doctoral associates, and junior faculty (less than four years in first academic appointment) may apply for a travel award. The applicant must be the primary author of a submitted abstract and must present their research in either a poster or oral (podium) session at the conference.

Award applications are reviewed by members of the ALA Education Committee and are based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: quality of the abstract, relevance of the research to the LabAutomation conference, statement of value of the conference, and qualifications of the applicant.

Multiple applicants from a single research group are allowed to apply for the award. However, such applicants should understand that award application reviewers may prioritize the applications such that only one individual per investigator's research group will receive an award, based on funding availability and the criteria stated above.

Application submissions and accompanying support materials were due by September 10, 2007. Notification of award winners will be e-mailed by October 24, 2007.

Award Details of Covered Expenses:

Airfare: Coach or Super saver. Travel arrangements made through anyone other than an ALA agent will be refunded at actual cost or at "fair market rate" as provided by ALA agent, whichever is lower.

Personal Auto: Mileage of $0.485 per mile (only in lieu of airfare) will be reimbursed.

Meeting Registration: Full conference registration as well as registration for a one-day short course (space limited for short courses) is included. Any costs associated with required text books will be the responsibility of the individual. If an awardee chooses a two-day course, the additional day will be the responsibility of the individual.

Accommodations: Accommodations will be provided by the ALA housing office on a shared basis for a maximum of 4 nights (2 people per room). If award recipient does not wish to share a room, then half of hotel cost will be reimbursed (2 nights). If recipient is traveling from outside of North America, 5 nights of a shared hotel room will be provided.

Travel awards do not include a per-diem for food, rental car reimbursement or other expenses. The conference provides most meals with registration.

Required Support Material

  • Complete Online Application. Prior to completing the application, you should prepare the materials necessary to complete the application:
    • Contact information/ALA login
    • Academic Status
    • Faculty Mentor Name and Email
    • Brief statement indicating the value of your participation in LabAutomation2008
    • Biographical sketch including a description of relevant experience and goals
    • Abstract submission — you are the primary author for either podium or poster presentation
  • After submitting your application, email a supporting e-mail letter from faculty mentor or department chair to Brenda Dreier at bdreier@labautomation.org.

Applications should be submitted online. To submit, start by entering your abstract via the abstract submission page. After entering your abstract, you will be prompted with a question of whether or not you want to apply for the Travel Award. Once you click "yes", you will be prompted to enter all the required material except your supporting letter from your faculty mentor/department chair. These letters should be emailed as noted above. Applications will not be considered complete without all materials.

Other Opportunities

Academic Poster Competition
Qualifying students, graduate students, post-doctoral associate, and junior faculty applicants chosen to present a poster, regardless of award status, will be eligible for the academic poster competition. Cash awards are presented for first place, second place, and potentially, honorable mention. For detailed poster guidelines.