Conference Travel Awards

Description: The NSIS Conference Travel Awards are given out to individuals for the purpose of supporting the presentation of research that took place in Nova Scotia and where the researcher is based in Nova Scotia. Travel awards are limited to trainees (defined as: Postdocs, research assistants, graduate students, and undergraduates) who are members of the NSIS. Value of awards as of 2026 range from $100 to $500. The total value and number of awards to be given out each year are subject to change based on final approval of the NSIS council. Applications will only be considered for proposed travel within time frames specified (see below). Individuals may only submit one application per nomination period and must be a current member of the NSIS to qualify. 

Requirements for the nomination package:
(1) a letter from the trainee describing the research presentation and why this travel award is needed (including a budget explaining where other funds are coming from and if they are guaranteed or not) and where they plan to travel [2-pages maximum].
(2) a brief letter from the trainee’s supervisor or committee member (or equivalent, for instance the Department chair) confirming the trainee’s status at their academic institution [letter must be signed].
(3) proof of a submitted abstract* [e.g., confirmation from the conference website], and
(4) a completed nomination form. 

As a condition of the award, winners are required to write a breif half-page letter describing how their award contributed to their professional development [due one month after the conference for which funding was awarded]; winners may also be invited to give a short talk at a future NSIS meeting. In cases where remaining funds have not been secured at time of application (as described in the budget) then NSIS travel award funds will be held until the awardee can confirm that they have received all the funding needed for their proposed travel plan. The awardee must also confirm that a submitted abstract for a presentation (talk or poster) at their proposed conference has been accepted prior to funds being released. Please note that financial need will be factored into the ranking of applicants (to be assessed via the budget proposed in each application). 

To apply: Individuals applying must directly send the two required letters along with their completed nomination form as a single PDF to the awards chair at brobicheau@upei.ca by midnight of the posted deadline. Travel award winners will be notified within approximately two weeks of the nomination deadline. 

Status: The NSIS is now accepting applications for Spring 2026 travel award(s).
The deadline to submit applications is July 3, 2026.
Proposed conference travel must occur between August 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 to qualify.

Nomination Form: APPLY HERE

FAQs
*What if abstract submission is not yet open for my conference of interest? 
It is acceptable to provide the abstract you intent to submit along with a link to the relevant conference website showing that registration is not yet open/available. This link will allow us to confirm that the conference registration is not yet open. If this scenario applies to you and your application is successful, you will still be required to show proof of abstract acceptance prior to funds being released.